All the usual suspects have responded to the crash of Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle’s Cirrus into a New York apartment building, Oct. 11. Politicians, newspaper reporters and editors, and television talking heads jumped right in with their standard anti-aviation paranoia. A notable exception was New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who is a pilot. Bloomberg, who […]
Opinion
Who was PIC?
Reference the article, “Can your airplane save your life?” in the Sept. 8 issue, in which the NTSB (initially) points to wake turbulence as a probable cause, it is disheartening to read that the pilot blames the accident on ATC, because “the tower cleared him to take off one minute and 28 seconds behind a […]
What STCs are available for my engine?
Can you give me an idea of what STCs are available to convert an O-320-E3D from 150 to 160 hp? David Austin Ponder, Texas David, I suggest you go to the following website to do your research: Airweb.FAA.gov/STC. Once there you’ll be offered several options to locate the information you’re looking for. When looking for […]
Test pilots held to a higher standard?
I read with great interest about how Mr. Jim Stewart asserts that his life was saved by the design of the Sport Jet (Can your airplane save your life? Sept. 8). Then I got to the “So what happened?” section and was appalled that Mr. Stewart blamed the crash on Air Traffic Control. The article […]
We understand why, tell us how
I agree we need to do something to stop user fees and to get rid of the ADIZ (To build a fire, to save our airspace, July 21 issue). The problem is how do you get anyone to listen? I belong to AOPA and know they are doing what they can. I have talked to […]
Last minute maneuers: User fees, VLJs and more on Congress’s agenda before its latest recess
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Before taking a recess to campaign for reelection, Congress took time to move on several issues important to general aviation. The Senate confirmed Mary Peters as Secretary of Transportation. In past transportation positions she has declared a need for new financing methods, i.e., user fees. Peters replaces the well-respected Norman Mineta, who […]
On the mend: Changes in medicals a step in the right direction
Do you believe me when I write that among the top publications I receive, the Federal Air Surgeon’s Medical Bulletin is not one of those that regularly receive high priority? Believe me, I don’t read this 12-page quarterly bulletin on an even irregular basis. However, the other day I saw a copy at the office […]
Mayor Dailey’s terrorist act
Regarding the Meigs settlement between the FAA and the Daley regime, the media has reported that Chicago taxpayers will be required to pay the FAA $1,033,000, but the cost to the taxpayers is much more. Not counting the loss in business to Chicago that the airport brought it, there are the legal expenses, estimated to […]
What’s the best way to really test a mag?
I often hear from U.S. mechanics that in their opinion the only way to really test a mag is to do it while flying. They say that’s because you can really get the highest rpm, say 2,550, and then do a left/right check as I normally would do at 1,700 on the ground. I’m not […]