In his blog at the Huffington Post, Jeff Schweitzer notes that “At the very moment crazed kamikaze pilot Joseph Stack plowed his airplane into an IRS building in Austin, Texas, propaganda machinery in suspended animation instantly sprang back to life to lament the danger of small airplanes. Hysterical comparisons to 9/11 were immediately bandied about […]
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Something new: Fly a Hang ‘Copter
I readily admit to being a hang glider pilot at heart. After flying several hundred airplanes, I still consider flying a hang glider to be perhaps THE purest way to fly. I’ve always said that if I could just snap my fingers and be in the air — oh, that it was so simple and […]
The year of engagement
It takes more than alphabet groups speaking up to teach opinion leaders and decision makers about GA — it takes each pilot and aircraft owner stepping up and becoming actively engaged with their community leaders. “As I see it, some of the top issues for the coming year and beyond must include protecting our nation’s […]
Flight Design unveils upgraded LSA
Flight Design unveiled an upgraded model of its CTLS Light Sport Aircraft at the U.S. Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida, late last month. The deluxe CTLS comes with with a loaded instrument panel, a longer engine life, and an upgraded interior treatment, according to company officials. “Visitors to our exhibit space at Sebring 2010 were […]
Career advice from the cockpit
Air Force Lt. Col. Rob “Waldo” Waldman, the best-selling author of “Never Fly Solo: Lead with Courage, Build Trusting Relationships and Reach New Heights in Business,” never expected to find a business lesson in the cockpit of an F-16 jet fighter at 20,000 feet and Mach 2. But during 65 combat missions in Iraq and […]
Collier Trophy nominees named
The National Aeronautic Association has released the list of nominees for the 2009 Robert J. Collier Trophy, as well as the names of those individuals who will serve on the Collier Trophy Selection Committee. The nominees are: Aircell, Ares 1, C-5M Super Galaxy, Kandahar Airfield Operations Team, International Space Station, MC-12W Project Liberty Enterprise Team, […]
Controllers want to know about FAA realignment of air control facilities
A special committee of the National Air Traffic Control Association wants to dissect and review the FAA’s plan to split and/or close Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facilities from their accompanying airport control towers in many locations and move those services to other locations. NATCA formed a committee last fall to meet with the FAA […]
The importance of the human element
By THOMAS CHIDESTER and CARLA HACKWORTH We have all experienced moments where we are left scratching our heads trying to figure out “what just happened?” Have you ever been distracted while taxiing? Have you ever planned your flight, checked weather, and yet inadvertently encountered IMC? Have you ever read back a clearance incorrectly? If so, […]
Tips to avoid landing gear corrosion
Due to its location and exposure to the elements, landing gear is highly susceptible to corrosion, note officials with Duncan Aviation. Water, dirt, debris and foreign objects, acting as electrolytes and producing a corrosive environment, can lead to landing gear corrosion that requires premature removal of components. Jerry Cable, a Duncan Aviation Accessory Tech Rep, […]