I was surprised that your list of greatest airplanes didn’t include the longest lived military planes in the U.S. inventory. I refer to the C-130 and B-52. I guess the reason is your readers are general aviation folks and they have not had much exposure to these two incredible airplanes. The C-130 has indeed seen […]
Opinion
A DIFFERENT KIND OF USER FEE
Saturday morning, June 2nd, dawned crisp and clear in Calaveras County, Calif. My Christen Eagle II was polished and ready for the short flight to Merced. It was the 50th anniversary of their annual antique fly-in and, even though N70CE is only 10 years old, she’s always been a welcome addition to any display area. […]
FSS WOES
What is happening with flight service? My first complaint is with the phone service. I am so tired of trying to talk to an automated phone system. “Say briefer.” What am I — a 2 year old? I said it 10 times and the stupid automated piece of junk doesn’t work and yet I still […]
FAA moves to consolidate air traffic control facilities: But faces opposition from controllers, elected officials
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 […]
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 […]
STEPHEN HAWKING CONFUSED?
Stephen Hawking was never “briefly free of the gravity normally limiting his motions.” (When boundaries flew away: Slipping the surly bonds of gravity, May 18 issue). In the article it states that, “Although he was weightless for about a minute, actually in free-fall…” In free-fall he was being accelerated toward the earth with the full force […]
A READER REACTS
A few days ago as we were taxiing the Xenon back to the hangar an elderly gentleman was following us in his truck and waving madly. As soon as the prop stopped he was at our side. “Wow I just read all about the Xenon in General Aviation News,” he exclaimed. He could not believe his luck that […]