Sunglasses, like watches, serve two purposes. Part fashion statement, part tool. But for those of us who wear headsets on a regular basis, sunglasses can be a pain. When I try on sunglasses, I try them on in reverse. They have to fit comfortably on top of my head and stay there. If the sunglasses […]
The easiest certificate ever, Part II
Christmas came early for me. Back in October I completed all the requirements to add a Remote Pilot certificate to my list of ratings and certificates. In the mail the week of Dec. 5 came my official certificate from the FAA. As I walked back from the mailbox, envelope in hand, my emotions quickly ran […]
A few last minute gift ideas
Tick tock…Every passing moment finds us closer to Christmas 2016. And if you’re on the hunt for gift ideas for the aviator in your life (even if that’s yourself), following is a handful of the aviation-themed books that have crossed my desk in recent weeks that will make a nice gift. Like aviation itself, these titles […]
Video: Farewell Salute to Bob Hoover
R. A. “Bob” Hoover will forever cast a huge shadow over all of aviation. His recent passing (October 25) at the age of 94 sent a shockwave through the broader aviation family. From Airailimages: “Fifteen hundred friends of Bob Hoover gathered at Clay Lacy Aviation in Van Nuys, California, on 18 November for a heartfelt send-off and […]
3 steps to save your airport
Does anyone not believe a vibrant aviation ecosystem starts at the airport? If our airports cease to exist, aviation ceases to exist. It really is that simple. Like too many airports around the country, Arcadia Airport (X06) in Arcadia, Florida, was struggling after years of neglect. The Arcadia City Council established the Arcadia Airport Advisory […]
Pairing travelers with operators will increase airport value
General aviation pilots know the attraction of private aviation. Go where you want, when you want. Fellow earthlings without a pilot certificate have fewer options. Car, bus, train or airline. That’s about it. FlyOtto, from the creators of OpenAirplane, give our non-pilot neighbors the same flexibility we pilots enjoy. Even better, it’ll bring business to […]
ADS-B validation report data shows amazing detail
For aircraft owners taking advantage of the FAA’s $500 ADS-B Rebate, there is a five-step process you must follow. Each of the five steps are rather logical: Decide: Select equipment for purchase and schedule installation; Reserve: Reserve your rebate, which requires a Reservation Code; Install: Install your ADS-B equipment; Fly and Validate: Fly in ADS-B airspace to validate […]
The easiest certificate ever
It has been a LONG time since I’ve added a rating or certificate to my pilot qualifications. But I’ve just added the easiest certificate ever. If I understand it correctly — and that’s a big if — I’ve just earned a Remote Pilot Certificate with a Small Unmanned Aircraft System Rating. How easy was it to add […]
The genesis of ‘Hold my beer, watch this’?
“The New York Times called it a ‘fine landing’ and reported it had been widely called ‘a feat of aeronautics.’” A friend passed the story to me from the popular Imgur website. According to the June 4, 2016 New York Times story, Thomas Fitzpatrick landed a stolen plane “on St. Nicholas Avenue in northern Manhattan,” […]