Do you still have your 1980s-era Walkman? It looks pretty big compared to an iPod, doesn’t it? While personal stereo technology has gotten smaller over the years, owners manuals for aircraft have grown — some have even tripled in size. For example, a 1971 owners manual for a Cessna 172 Skyhawk measures less than a […]
It doesn’t have to work
Toward the end of the 19th century the United States Patent Office was inundated with designs for so-called flying machines. The Patent Office accepted the designs, and issued patents without questioning whether the designs worked. Most of the designs were never built and those that did make it off the drawing board very rarely got […]
Dwindling numbers
Ten years ago, the number of U.S. pilots totaled 639,184. By the end of last year, the figure had dropped to 609,737, according to figures from the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. Though those numbers are declining, a higher percentage of pilots is seeking commercial flying careers. The number of Airline Transport Pilot licenses grew from […]
Heaven’s Landing: Pilots find paradise atop Georgia mountain
When Mike Ciochetti does something, he does it big. So when he decided to develop an airpark, he didn’t just shoot for the stars. He’s shooting for heaven. Ciochetti is the man behind Heaven’s Landing, an upscale airpark in the mountains of Georgia, about 90 miles northeast of Atlanta. A race car driver and pilot, […]
“Takeoff into Greatness”: Take time to reread a classic
Every now and again it is a good idea to reread an old book, and if you’re interested in the history of aviation and how it grew, I strongly recommend finding a copy of Grover Loening’s “Takeoff Into Greatness.” Loening was born in 1888. Shortly after receiving America’s first master’s degree in aeronautics, from Columbia […]
Bondhus goes gold
Bondhus Corp. has expanded its line of 14K gold-plated hex tools to now include straight hex end tools in both short and long arm styles. The GoldGuard finish provides good corrosion protection and makes tools easy to find on a work bench or in a tool box, Bondhus officials say. For more information: 800-328-8310
Snakes on a plane
The writer who came up with “Snakes on a Plane,” the Hollywood movie ranked as “one of the worst movies of 2006” by several movie reviewers, was not the first to place reptiles on an aircraft intentionally. For years a pair of rubber faux snakes have protected Ron Johnson’s PT-22 while at EAA AirVenture. The […]
What’s the big deal?
Some of the witnesses to the Wright brothers’ first successful powered flight didn’t understand why the brothers were so excited by the event, noting they had traveled much farther than 120 feet in gliders. It took a bit of time to explain that the Dec. 17, 1903, flight was the first time an aircraft had […]
The ‘other’ flying brothers
The Wright brothers acknowledged the contributions of Otto Lilienthal (right) and his glider experiments in helping them achieve the first powered flight. Rarely do history books recognize that much of Lilienthal’s work was done with the aid of his brother, Gustav. In the 1860s the Lilienthal brothers endured jibes from their contemporaries as they experimented […]