WASHINGTON, D.C. — As members of Congress come back to their offices Sept. 10 after the August vacation, aviation interests will be eager to see what, if anything, is done about “sequestration,” which might cut $1 billion from the FAA budget. Money has been a major problem for years. After almost five years of trying, […]
Opinion
Electric! Gorgeous! Freedom!…4th generation ULS
Randall Fishman virtually invented the electric aircraft. That’s a rather big statement, yet I stand behind it. Randall first showed a functional electric trike at Oshkosh 2007. He’s been on a tear ever since and his ULS is his present state-of-the-art, his fourth generation of electric aircraft design. I use three words to describe ULS […]
How to break-in your engine
I recently received a letter asking about engine break-in following overhaul. This is a subject that should be of interest to everyone, even though you may never actually have the opportunity to break-in an engine during your flying years. It makes no difference whether it is a factory new, factory rebuilt, factory overhaul, or an […]
Building a bigger tent
With the Republican convention only days behind us, and the Democratic convention going on this week, this is the obvious opportunity to take a lesson from their play books. Because whether you subscribe to this one or that one, you have to admit the elephants and donkeys have been exceptionally successful for many years at […]
Shady Acres celebrates golden anniversary
SPANAWAY, Wash. — Shady Acres, a residential airpark, celebrated its 50th anniversary with a potluck party at the home of Rick and Bobbie Wicklander on Sept. 1. Current and former residents showed up, about 50 in all, for the celebration. Pictures and newspaper clippings were laid out for all to peruse. Shady Acres was created […]
General aviation goes to the political conventions
For the first time, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and the National Business Aviation Association teamed to hold events at the two national party conventions. The goal: Schmoozing politicos to hold high the flag of general aviation. I attended the first, at the Republican National Convention in Tampa on Tuesday, Aug. 28, to see […]
The diamond effect
Baseball is a very simple game. As has been said so often, you throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the ball. That’s pretty much it. Except for the head work, of course. Anyone who has ever played the game can tell you, you’ve got to get your head in the game if […]
The high cost of pinching pennies
Everybody loves a bargain. I know I do. Heck, I may be the cheapest guy you’ll ever meet. But there is a cost associated with saving a dollar or two – and the general aviation crowd may not notice how dear that cost can be until it’s too late. Consider the issue of fuel. We […]
Full circle
In a couple of weeks, the Old Man and I will celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. I can’t say that it seems just like yesterday that we were young newlyweds. We’ve enjoyed a full and satisfying 30 years, and we have tried to take advantage of each and every precious day. We’ve been blessed to […]