Cdr. Leroy Robinson, a World War II naval aviator, flew in the Pacific Theatre and is a confirmed “Ace.” He also flew in the Korean Conflict and had a 32-year career at Delta Air Lines. In failing health now, most of his time is spent in his Civil War-era Tignall, Georgia, farmhouse. Stories like this, and more, […]
Opinion
Airshow etiquette: Look, but don’t touch
Once, when I was a teenager manning the pumps at a full service gas station, a gentleman rolled up in a gorgeous Rolls Royce. He claimed it had previously belonged to the velvety-voiced crooner Nat “King” Cole. You can imagine my surprise when he climbed out and encouraged me to take a seat behind the […]
Ask Paul: Should I worry about just a little rust in the cylinders?
Q: My Piper Colt PA-22-108, has a C1B installed. I have a little rust in the cylinders in the lower part. From the middle part and up to the top of the piston area there are no cracks or visible rust. I have honed all cylinders and there are no sharp edges. GUNNAR HEGSTAD, Norway A: […]
Say again
A long time ago it was decided by people much smarter than I am that only one language should be the language of aviation. That language was to be English, regardless of a pilot’s nation of origin. Those same people decided that a specific lexicon should be created within English to reduce any confusion spawned […]
FAA finds research partner, seeks perps
The FAA is behind the power curve – big time – when it comes to the nascent (and rapidly growing) remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) industry. On Jan. 12 CNN announced a research agreement with the FAA to “to advance efforts to integrate Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) into newsgathering and reporting.” As a distant cousin to […]
Prepare — winter doesn’t last forever
Recently a series of cold fronts have marched down from the region of the north pole, bringing biting winds, frigid temperatures, and enough ice to supply a wet bar that’s serving Jackie Gleason, Foster Brooks, and Dean Martin simultaneously. If you’re into ice fishing, snow machine races, or the latest cutting-edge snowshoe designs, the weather […]
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Tip this…or something like that
Malcom Gladwell, the well known author who possesses both an almost cartoonishly frizzy hair-style and a razor sharp mind, first came to my attention with his blockbuster hit “The Tipping Point.” Released in 2002, Amazon still ranks it high on its best sellers ranking. It held down the position of 533 on that literary hit parade […]
The Spin Doctor
By IVY McIVER. I have a confession to make: I have been flying for 17 years and until this year I had never been in a spin. I began my pilot training well after the requirement for spin training had been eliminated from the FAA private pilot curriculum, and none of the planes I flew […]