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. […]
Opinion
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 […]
Prepare your plane for winter
For those of us who reside in northern climates, it’s time for us to begin thinking about what we need to do to get our aircraft ready to put in the barn for the winter. Certain recommendations also should be considered for aircraft that have less than regular use during the cold snowy months. The […]
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 […]
Build a Plane helps build our next generation
It’s a simple idea, really: Put airplane projects in the hands of high school kids. The initial mission of Build A Plane is to help kids learn how to be mechanics, as well as the skills needed to build a plane — skills they can then use in the workplace. But the program does so […]
Struggle between FAA and controllers continues to boil
WASHINGTON. D.C. — The struggle between the FAA and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association continues to boil as experienced controllers are retiring in greater numbers and faster than FAA expected. According to the FAA, 828 controllers retired in the 12 months ending Sept. 30. NATCA says there are additional controllers who have announced their […]