True cooperation is the key. On May 1, 2015, the FAA posted a notice of proposed rule making (NPRM) in the Federal Register to expand Class D and E airspace around Salem, Oregon’s McNary Field (KSLE). The summary of the NRPM states, “After a biennial review, the FAA found it necessary to amend the airspace […]
What about SARA?
“The department continues to be bullish on new technology,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx in a Feb. 24, 2016 release about the FAA’s efforts to expand the safe integration of unmanned aircraft. “We recognize the significant industry interest in expanding commercial access to the National Airspace System. The short deadline reinforces our commitment to […]
Entertainment, education all around
What do the 1929 Powder Puff Derby, the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, the adventures of an airplane fanatic, the de Havilland Mosquito, and drones all have in common? All of these topics — and many more — have recently crossed my desk over the last few weeks. You see, general aviation is vast. Simply put, if it flies […]
Spokane Community College wins inaugural competition
PUYALLUP, Wash. — A total of 29 students participated in the inaugural Northwest Regional Aviation Maintenance Competition held during the Feb. 20-21 Northwest Aviation Conference. The first place trophy (and $500) was awarded to Spokane Community College. Second and third place trophies, as well as $375 donated by Aircraft Spruce & Specialty, were awarded to the […]
Tip: Soundproof your aircraft
There is little doubt headset technology has made flying much more comfortable. But compare the noise level in the cockpit of a late-model four-place airplane to that of new four-place car and the difference is dramatic. Headsets do help, but… Bill Nash, CEO of Super Soundproofing, sent me a helpful link to his Soundproofing Aircraft […]
Video: Want to go bar hopping?
Backcountry Pilot‘s Zane Jacobsen readily admits the inspiration for his latest 1 Minute Film: “In the grip of the wet El Nino winter, dredging up nearly 3-year-old footage from a warmer season can help the seasonal-affective disorder. How about a gaggle of CubCrafters Carbon Cubs playing on some river bars that are currently under several feet […]
SQ1 will keep ’em charged
Electronic devices surround us. Personally, I think they are descendants of bunnies. They seem to multiply just as fast. And with that rapidly growing population of electronics comes a voracious appetite for power. Power is easy to come by if you are at your home or office. But what if you’re on a cross-country (aerial […]
Deadliest Job Interview
Reality TV strikes again — this time with Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Job Interview. In the first episode, which aired Friday, Jan. 29, we followed Ron Vargas to South Africa. Ron’s goal is to become a bush pilot. He’s in South Africa to train with Milne “CC” Pocock, owner of Bush Air. The show isn’t just about flight training. […]
Tip: Help a rusty pilot start ‘Flying Again’
Chances are high you know a rusty pilot. After all, the population of that particular pilot class hovers around 500,000. But, it’s not enough to simply say, “Go get current.” There’s most likely a backstory to why they stopped. Fortunately, they share the “why” with thousands of others. After all, there are only so many […]