“Another five minutes and I am going to shut us down!” my copilot declared in frustration as we sat at the hold short line of Alpha Nine, waiting our turn to take off from King County International/Boeing Field (BFI). It was a late afternoon in August. We had the windows and the vents open and […]
Opinion
“Safest aviation system in the world”
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Members of the House Aviation Subcommittee bragged that the United States has the safest aviation system in the world, but they still raked the FAA over the coals for not doing enough to address key safety issues. Although the recent oversight hearing was scheduled before the Lexington, Kentucky, Comair wrong-runway accident, that […]
Boeing slates historic building for demolition
The Boeing Airplane Co. is planning to tear down a significant piece of aviation history. The Plant 2 building on East Marginal Way South in Seattle is slated for demolition soon. This is the factory that employed 30,000 Seattle people at the peak of World War II, turning out B-17 Flying Fortresses at the rate of several […]
Precedent (NJ airport under attack)
In regards to the letter in the Aug. 18th issue about the New Jersey airport that is under attack (N.J. airport under attack), I wish to add the following: Unfortunately Mr. Walker’s statement that if the NIMBYS are legally successful in any way, it will set a precedent that will affect not only the airports […]
Nominee for Secretary of Transportation advocate of user fees
Washington, D.C. — Washington aviation association heads were swift to offer congratulations to Mary Peters for her nomination to the cabinet post of Secretary of Transportation even though the nominee is an advocate of user fees. Such polite courtesies, however, are normal as those dealing with government officials want to get off on a friendly […]
A Brush With History
Popular Canadian artist Robert Bailey has finally come out with a book of his art titled “”A Brush With History.”” Not only does it tell about his circuitous route to becoming an aviation artist, it also provides background stories of how the pictures came into being and includes insights into World War II written by […]
Having Dessert First
When your July 21 issued arrived, I turned immediately to the back page…as I always do…to see the articles by Larry Bledsoe. It’s like having dessert first. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” hit a special chord for me. A few years ago I had the honor of flying with Joe Gentile, son […]
A Good Laugh
One of the funniest items in the last edition was the letter from Roger Lockwood of Sarasota, Fla., (No strings attached), in which he got so comically indignant over his little pieces of string and paper being referred to as “toys.” We all, in the aviation community, have our “toys,” whether they are ultralights, GA […]
Aviation Benefits Everyone
The next time you hear someone disparage aviation, point out that everyone depends on it. Don’t believe that? Think about it. The food we eat now comes from all over the world. Delicate fruits and vegetables don’t arrive by slow boat; they are flown in, fresh daily, from places such as Chile, the Netherlands, Israel, […]