Can electric aircraft truly become part of the national or worldwide fleet? You might discount the possibility, but then consider Airbus. When I was a youngster, I remember a TV commercial with a song jingle that went, “Electricity does more for you each day.” (Despite the decades that have passed, the tune still plays in […]
Opinion
No step
By JEB BURNSIDE. One of aviation’s endearing characteristics involves the abundant myths surrounding aircraft operation: Do this, that or some other thing and your airplane will carry more, fly faster on less fuel and land on a dime. Such myths are great hangar-flying fodder, but most of them fall down when confronted with the real […]
Dick Merrill, Atlantic double-crosser
Merrill’s flying career began in 1920 when he purchased a war-surplus Curtiss Jenny for $600.
The King of Cancellations
Like you, I have on occasion cancelled a dentist appointment. Even at the last minute, with almost no warning, I’ve cancelled plans to attend a wedding or a birthday party. A friend of mine just cancelled a dinner he had been planning. Cancellations happen. We might be disappointed, but we adapt. We overcome the sorrow […]
What’s the best way to read the dip stick?
Q: Should one read the oil level with the dip stick screwed in or just resting on the threads? Gary Brown, via email A: Gary, I’m glad you asked this question even though I can see the boys in the hangar beginning to smile about it. First of all, it’s not quite as simple as […]
You should subscribe to the Federal Register
You should subscribe to the Federal Register. If someone in the greater Salem, Ore.-area had been subscribed to the Federal Register, they might have seen a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) titled, “Proposed Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace, Revocation of Class E Airspace; Salem, OR” scroll across their email inbox on May […]
Respect the two great intangibles
It is a basic human drive to acquire things. Historically, this ambition has been used as a means of showing affluence. Mr. Smith owns a tidy three-bedroom, one-bath house, which causes Mr. Jones to set his sights on a bigger, more opulent home. Mrs. Pierce drives a new mid-line sedan, sparking Mrs. Snyder to purchase […]
There’s an opening in the public sector
On Tuesday, Nov. 3, only a couple months from now, local elections will be held across the continent. These races will result in new faces and old faces being sworn in to sit on city commissions, county commissions, state boards, and to fill a slew of mayoral seats. These are the people who will be […]
Forget the why, focus on the how
I spent my Saturday productively, standing at the front of the Eickhoff Conference Room at SUN ‘n FUN, leading a donut and coffee fueled group of Rusty Pilots back through the intricacies of airspace, weather reports, and right of way rules. It was great. We spent three hours together laughing, learning, and sharing a few personal […]