I was reading about the XR-7755 on the Internet and was wondering if you would clear something up for me. Most sources say there were two engines made, but I’ve found there were three versions. The first was set up for a single output shaft, a second had contra-rotating shafts and the third was set […]
Opinion
WHAT A TRAGEDY
What a tragedy regarding the Grumman American accident in the Accident Reports in the March 23 issue. Somebody turned this guy loose in an airplane that he couldn’t control and he kills himself with two friends or family — and instead of flying the airplane as it gets too slow, he’s on the radio! WALT […]
MORE G1000 TRAINING HELP
“What’s new in training … Flying the looking glass” in the March 9 issue was interesting. We’d like to add the King Schools’ “Flying the Garmin G1000” to your “Check these out, too” sidebar. King Schools’ website is and our phone number is 800-854-1001. KEN KAPLAN King Schools, Inc. San Diego
Bigger than life: The world needs more characters like John Thun
My wife and I were cleaning out some boxes stuffed with old photos when we came across some pictures of the late John Thun. The pictures really set my mind whirling as I thought about this bigger-than-life character from the Tacoma, Wash., area, where we have made our home since 1970. When I mention John, […]
Are we preaching to the choir? Some say general public needs to be included in debate about user fees
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The current differences over user fees and air traffic control modernization is not an aviation issue, but an air commerce matter, a former FAA administrator declared at a forum sponsored here by the United States Chamber of Commerce. Alan McArtor, who was administrator from 1987 to 1989, said there is a need […]
SERIOUS TROUBLE
I just read “Got an older airplane? Rumors abound that maintenance shops refuse to work on them” (Feb. 2 issue). In the fourth paragraph, your writer states that you have “found no confirmation that shops have turned away older airplanes…” I am not sure which shops you may have called, but it appears not the […]
A rose by any other name? Quirks in rental aircraft inspire nicknames
There is a learning curve that must take place when you go from being an aircraft owner to a renter. A number of my clients are learning this. Some of them are between airplanes. Others decided that it is a better financial decision to rent airplanes than to own them at this time. They all […]
TURNED DOWN
The article on older aircraft getting turned down for service is timely. This morning KCAC — Kansas City Aircraft out of OJC in Olathe, Kan., turned me down. We needed an inspection on our 1977 Navajo. PHILLIP BUTTRAM via email Editor’s note: We talked with Tom Conley, who told us that we must contact KCAC […]
Use fees get cold shoulder from lawmakers: Speculation already exists that reauthorization bill won’t be ready by deadline
WASHINGTON, D.C. — “”My intention is to give it a decent burial.”” With those words, Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.) closed his opening comments at a House Subcommittee hearing into reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration. Oberstar’s comment referred to the administration’s, FAA’s, and airline industry’s efforts to establish user fees for general aviation. The House […]