Someone recently told me that there are only 15 B-17s that are considered flyable today and less than three dozen more that are either on static display or are restorable derelicts. Can you imagine what an impressive sight it would be to see a formation of 12 to 15 B-17s fly by? However impressive such […]
A lame excuse
I just read Elliott Schiffman’s excuse for mass arrivals at Oshkosh (Bonanza leader tackles critics, Nov. 18 issue). I was one of the people trapped by these guys and the Mooneys. I blame the EAA for letting these so-called Big Money people pull this kind of stunt. My take is get in line like the […]
Mass arrivals actually safer
Sorry I missed the Lisa Kondrick article (Time to get outta Dodge, Sept. 9 issue) that touched off this subject, but the letter to the editor by Michael Baas (Just say no to mass arrivals, Oct. 7 issue) concerns me for the lack of bigger picture perspective.A complaint is made that the mass arrivals somehow […]
The bigger question
Mr. Helms raises a valid and timely issue in his recent letter regarding the self-certification aspect of Sport Pilot medicals (Could medical kill Sport Pilot? Dec. 2 issue). I plan to keep flying my Comanche for some time yet, but like many older pilots, have considered switching to Sport Pilot somewhere down the road if […]
Give me a break
In reference to the article Cub vs. Cub (Dec. 2 issue), is CubCrafters serious? How about if the producers of TOP tobacco decide that CubCrafters is infringing on their good name? Give me a break CubCrafters. The words legend, cub and yellow are all in the dictionary! This lawsuit has nothing to do with infringement, just […]
Pilot in a week?
Can you become a pilot in a week? Just ask Davin Coburn, a science editor at “Popular Mechanics,” who started his flying lessons at Mid-Atlantic Sports Planes (MASPL) in Alexandria, Va., with one objective in mind: to complete the Sport Pilot flight requirements and take his check ride in a week. He succeeded. One week […]
GA not a threat, new government report states
A new report from the Congressional Research Service, “Securing General Aviation,” notes that GA is not a threat, adding that a “one size fits all” approach to security is not practical. The report notes that GA planes’ ability to carry explosives is small compared to trucks and other vehicles. It also points out that airspace […]
FAA offers online airspace course
The FAA is offering an online training course to help pilots understand the flight restrictions around the nation’s capital. The free course, at FAASafety.gov, provides detailed information on the procedures required to operate in the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Area Flight Restricted Zone, the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), and other restricted airspace. Pilots who complete […]
Man pleads guilty to flying drunk in stolen 172
A Connecticut man has pleaded guilty in a New York court to stealing a Cessna 172 while drunk. Philippe Patricio, 21, pleaded guilty to charges of reckless endangerment, unauthorized use of a vehicle, flying while intoxicated and resisting arrest, in exchange for an agreement that he will receive less than one year in jail. Patricio, […]