What sounds better to you? $637,000 today or $900,000 in the near future? But first some back story before you answer: Way back in 2015, Washington state’s HB 1526 became law. The legislation reallocated 100% of the aircraft excise tax to the “Washington State Department of Transportation aviation airport aid grant program.” Previously, just 10% […]
Opinion
CubCrafters tops LSA market
A dozen years after the FAA created aviation’s newest sector, we have a new leader among manufacturers of fully built Light-Sport Aircraft. CubCrafters has been moving upward, with several years hitting 50 deliveries. In 2016 the west coast builder finally topped perennial leader Flight Design, which slipped to second place. The CT builder had occupied […]
Dreams vs. goals
In the center of my town there is a park. In that park is a large blue chalk board where passersby are encouraged to finish the sentence, “Before I die I want to…” That’s a big statement. It’s got weight to it. A sentence that starts with those words begs for serious consideration. It’s not […]
Pilots school ATC trainees
A Cessna 162 Skycatcher appeared to be slowly floating right to left across my windscreen directly in front of me, half a wingspan above me, about 40 feet away. Tower had just vectored me into the Skycatcher’s path by amending one instruction with another to proceed “direct to the numbers” of Runway 34L. I banked […]
Embracing the adaptability shuffle
You’ve been there. The flight has been planned meticulously. You’ve reviewed the weather information, you’ve got your charts in hand, the iPad is fully charged, there are no TFRs, no adverse weather conditions, and no NOTAMs to give you pause. You launch off with confidence. Then everything goes wacky. Maybe the weather suddenly and unexpectedly […]
FAR Part 0 – Really?
If you’ve spent any time reading — and re-reading — the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), then you’ll recognize the humor in the FAR Part 0. It has crossed my email inbox a few times now and I think it’s funny enough to share. Enjoy. FAA Regulation / Part 0, Section 000 (a) 1 (c) Section I: No […]
Strive for a bucket-less life
I apportion the blame this way: 40% goes to Jack Nicholson, while a slightly lesser share, 30%, goes to Morgan Freeman, with Rob Reiner picking up the remainder. All three did a magnificent job of portraying men staring eternity in the face, in the 2007 blockbuster hit, “The Bucket List.” The story was excellent, the […]
The cost of $3,200
United Airlines has had a rough few weeks. And yet, the days of overbooked commercial flights are likely here to stay. So what’s an airline to do? When crew must get from A to B and all the seats are filled with paying passengers, the options are often limited. United Airlines recently offered four passengers […]
Can you fly IFR in an LSA?
Think about IFR in an LSA this way: Can you fly IFR in a homebuilt aircraft? Can you do so in a Cessna 172?