I am writing regarding the letter by James Jackson of Carlisle, Ind., “Physicists cause the confusion” in the Oct. 5 issue. Again I had a good hearty chuckle at Mr. Jackson’s response and his apparent obsession with the term “Zero-G.” Now, it would seem, Mr. Jackson has some sort of issue with physicists as well. […]
Opinion
NO FREE LUNCH
Any discussion regarding user fees would appear to require an alternative for those types of airport owners who provide community access but find it impossible to recover costs of airport operation. The type of airport, which my surveys have shown to be at risk of closing, is the smallest type community sole proprietorship. This type is simultaneously most […]
STRUCTURAL FAILURES IN ALL AEROBATIC AIRCRAFT
If I may, I would like to continue the thread of the letter by Dan Bierly, “Success of Edge speaks for itself,” in the Oct. 19 issue, a bit further and shed some historical information that I feel paints a more accurate picture of airframe integrity in our unlimited aerobatic aircraft. The truth is that […]
Delays continue on FAA reauthorization: Many believe user feebattle will continue through next year
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Senate continued to dawdle on appropriation bills, forcing another extension of the FAA’s temporary authorization to Dec. 31, 2007. In late October, the Senate passed a single provision of the FAA Authorization Act, the Essential Air Service (EAS) program. By voice vote the House approved an amended version of the bill […]
Patriots, heroes and wars
The Gathering of Mustangs and Legends, held at the end of September at Columbus, Ohio, was an inspiring lesson in history and patriotism. I have been telling everyone who would stand still long enough that it was certainly the best-organized, most thrilling, most moving air show I’ve attended in some 60 years of attending them. […]
A new way to add lift?
You’ve likely already been inundated with comments pertaining to “What the well-dressed airplane wears?” photo caption in the Oct. 5, 2007, edition of General Aviation News. It seems obvious to me that the red brassiere was placed, not as a way of protecting the cowling, but rather to add “lift.” JOHN BURTON via email
Let’s keep common sense in aviation
I just read the letter about the guy who thought it would be a great idea to place the prop in a horizontal position after every shutdown to prevent engine damage in the event of nosewheel collapse (A lesson learned, Sept. 21 issue). Phil Boyer was all for it. Huh? I have taught my students always […]
Blast from the past
I just ran across your July 2002 article about Tommy Martin and his sons (Sons follow father to create Midwest aviation legend). My dad, Frank Reinhold of Sioux City, learned to fly in an Aeronca C3 in about 1937 or so, and his instructor was Tommy Martin. My brother, Frank Martin “Marty” Reinhold (deceased), was named for […]
Alcohol as fuel: Just say no
A short response to Tom Gribble’s Letter to the Editor in the “Quit Whining About Ethanol” in the Sept. 21 issue, sort of one point at a time: 1. You are correct — alcohol does take more petrochemical energy to make than it produces, so we should use it for…what? 2. It costs more than […]