WASHINGTON, D.C. — Should air traffic control facilities be consolidated? The FAA thinks so, but the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) says it is dangerous the way the FAA is doing it — and therein lies another struggle. NATCA says it is not opposed to consolidation “”where it makes sense.”” The FAA’s approach, declares […]
Opinion
TOP 10 FLYING MOVIES
Yuk, not “Top Gun” (“Top Gun” takes top honors, but is it really the greatest aviation movie of all time? May 18 issue). Here’s my list of flying films that often get overlooked in top 10 lists; some have nutritional value, some are amazing only because they are in color, and some have pretty interesting […]
How can I fine-tune idle mixture?
How about a discussion of the scalloped wheel on the injector pump for an IO540-C4B5 engine? My engine will “”load up”” at idle and I have to run the rpm up to about 1,200 quite often during taxi. Also the engine will “”talk to you”” on final with the throttle closed. I have tried the […]
WHO WERE THE FIRSTSMOKE JUMPERS?
I am writing in response to the letter from John Townsley in the May 4 edition (Tough pilots, tough planes, tough flying). John’s letter disputes a comment in your article on the Museum of Mountain Flying (Tough planes, tough pilots, tough flying: Montana Mountain Flying Museum showcases the best of aviation in the Big Sky […]
The numbers don’t add up: Airlines claim they pay 95% of ATC costs, but FAA numbers prove that’s false
The Air Transport Association (ATA), the trade association that represents the airlines, began running television advertisements in airports around the country, late in May. The ad deceptively attempts to mislead viewers into believing that commercial, passenger aircraft are backed up on runways because of congestion caused by small aircraft, that small aircraft somehow get preferential […]
COME VISIT ANYTIME
On behalf of the Board of Trustees for the Frank Phillips Foundation, the employees of Woolaroc and the thousands of guests and members of Woolaroc, I want to thank you for the wonderful article that you wrote in the April 20 issue about “Woolaroc” the airplane and Woolaroc the place (Woolaroc Museum and Ranch: The […]
LITTLE DIPPER
In reading the article on the Air Trooper in the March 23 issue of General Aviation News (The Littlest Warbird: Flying the Air Trooper), reference was made to the single-place airplane designed by John Thorp for Lockheed Aircraft during the Second World War. At the time Lockheed was still naming airplanes after celestial bodies and […]
What is the greatest airplane?
First, you have to define “”greatest;”” that is, the greatest airplane in what respect? Bomber, fighter, transport, general aviation or the greatest fun to fly? The greatest bomber has got to be the Boeing B-52. It’s been our first-line bomber for nearly 60 years and, with modifications and upgrades, it’s expected to be around for […]
SHAME ON YOU
Shame on you, Senator Maria Cantwell, for supporting FAA user fees. The last thing the general aviation industry needs is for Congress to allow airlines to dictate the funding of FAA operations. I hope you will correct your misguided decision if this bill ever comes to the floor. DAVID STAHL Gig Harbor, Wash.