At the very top of the pilot pyramid is the Airline Transport Pilot certificate. It takes time to earn that ticket. A lot of time, a lot of effort, a deep understanding of the nuances of flight, and the ability to truly take command of an aircraft large enough to require a crew to keep […]
Opinion
The easiest certificate ever, Part II
Christmas came early for me. Back in October I completed all the requirements to add a Remote Pilot certificate to my list of ratings and certificates. In the mail the week of Dec. 5 came my official certificate from the FAA. As I walked back from the mailbox, envelope in hand, my emotions quickly ran […]
Fit for flight
As I write this column I am just a bit uncomfortable. I have a strip of flexible blue tape wrapped around my left elbow, holding a small gauze pad in place, which in turn covers a hole in my skin where blood was drained out, about an hour ago. I go through this three times […]
Did the EPA just signal the end of mogas?
By DEAN BILLING. Reading Ben Visser’s blog, More questions about ethanol, reminded me that December is the month the EPA is supposed to set the ethanol quotas for the next year. For the first time in several years, the EPA has published the quotas in accordance with the schedule set in the law EISA 2007. The EPA Final […]
A mysterious engine at Reno
I had my suspicions about this, but I sought outside counsel from a good friend who has attended Reno for many years. Considered the best spark plug analyst, he shares his tremendous knowledge with the race teams.
Data and power for cockpit iPads
You are a pilot. You probably own a smartphone. Perhaps you use a tablet, too. Certainly these devices are helpful, convenient, fun, and carry a reasonably low price, at least compared to most instruments you might install in your airplane. Numerous, constantly-refined apps have made these common devices incredibly useful to pilots. However, using an […]
The problem with procrastination
Although it’s not a normal component of my nature, I spent the bulk of last week procrastinating on an industrial scale. I did almost nothing — nothing productive at least. I ate, as I tend to do. I visited a bar or two and sampled the local wares. I ate again. And I’ll say it here […]
A few last minute gift ideas
Tick tock…Every passing moment finds us closer to Christmas 2016. And if you’re on the hunt for gift ideas for the aviator in your life (even if that’s yourself), following is a handful of the aviation-themed books that have crossed my desk in recent weeks that will make a nice gift. Like aviation itself, these titles […]
How to haggle for the holidays, and beyond
At the coffee shop this morning my friend John raised a few eyebrows with this comment: “I don’t know of a single high school or college that offers a course in negotiation.” John’s a very successful businessman who knows a thing or two about negotiation. His concern is well placed. Let that hang there for […]