Two mule skinners, who are seasonal workers dressed in colonial garb at a historical park which has one boat pulled by two mules, are being subjected to nonsensical TSA rules similar to those currently threatening general aviation, according to Mike M. Ahlers, writing for CNNPolitics.com. A federal anti-terror law that requires many pilots, truckers, ship […]
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Fuel-efficient aircraft authority Bernard Carson dies
Bernard H. Carson, whose “Carson Speed” formula defines the speed at which an airplane maximizes speed and minimizes fuel consumption, died Feb. 15 at Annapolis, Maryland. He was 75. Dr. Carson was a professor of aerospace engineering at the U.S. Naval Academy for 31 years, educating generations of Naval Aviators. He was instrumental in building […]
GA pilots face badge requirement at commercial airports
The Transportation Security Administration has extended the deadline for a controversial and largely secret directive that would require security badges and background checks for all general aviation pilots based at air carrier airports. The TSA will meet with industry representatives to consider alternatives and to find solutions better suited to GA, according to a Feb. […]
U.S. policies stifle competitiveness, says AIAA director
Maj. Gen. Robert Dickman, USAF (retired), executive director of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), testified Feb. 25 before the House Committee on Science and Technology on the “Impacts of U.S. Export Control Policies on Science and Technology Activities and Competitiveness.” He said that current U.S. trade and visa policies are adversely affecting […]
Aviation groups offer climate change policies
NBAA, GAMA, AOPA and other aviation alphabet groups jointly issued a paper offering a set of principles to address aviation and its relationship to climate change. “Aviation and Climate Change: The Views of Aviation Industry Stakeholders,” represents general aviation, commercial passenger and cargo carriers, airports, aerospace manufacturers, pilots and air traffic controllers. It outlines general […]
Crosswind landing goes awry
This March 2007 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others. Aircraft: Cessna 172. Location: Norfolk, Va. Injuries: None. Aircraft damage: Minor. What reportedly happened: The pilot was attempting to land on a 9,001- x 150-foot-wide […]
WIRED offers air traffic plan
The current issue of WIRED magazine, which hit news-stands Feb. 25, features a piece entitled “Air Repair” in which writer Andrew Blum offers “an ingenious plan to unclog the sky” around New York City. Nearly all U.S. flight delays can be traced to the snarl of jets over New York City, he asserts. How would […]
A new Marine One? Maybe not.
What a difference a day makes. Less than 24 hours after Eurocopter CEO Lutz Bertling expressed confidence that the Obama Administration will give the go-ahead to the VH-71 presidential helicopter, even though costs for it have nearly doubled to $11.2 billion, that prospect darkened when the president called it an example of Bush Administration military […]
Augusta FBO prepares for Masters
Augusta Regional Airport Aviation Services (AGS) at Bush Field is gearing up for the annual Masters Golf Tournament, slated for April 6-12. AGS is offering an Avfuel AVTRIP promotion of bonus points to pilots refueling at the FBO during the tournament. Owned by the city of Augusta, the FBO is equipped with a passenger lounge, […]