WASHINGTON, D.C. — Don’t blame the FAA. The proposal to make the area around the nation’s Capital a permanent “”National Defense Airspace”” was the idea of the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The FAA merely followed instructions. That’s just one of the many things this proposal brings to the […]
Opinion
The first air force
The most recent issue carried a synopsis of the recreated flight of Alcock and Brown (Vimy replica recreates first Atlantic flight, July 22 issue). In the write-up it was stated that Alcock had been a member of the RFC. This is not correct. Alcock was a pilot in the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). On April […]
Mooney diagnosis
I have owned three Mooneys (over 3,000 hours) with the Lycoming engine. I have had the exact installations of the Mooney as the person who was having the high oil temperatures (What is the maximum oil temperature for this engine? July 22 issue). Never in 3,000 hours did I see an oil temperature over 180°F. […]
Do we really need to save airports?
I am an airport manager of a small airport in northern Oklahoma (O53), and I have to disagree that we need more airports (Join the campaign to save our airports, July 8 issue). It has been my observation in this part of the country that we don’t have enough airplanes and general aviation activities to […]
Eliminating the terrorist threat
It is encouraging to read letters like “A different view” and “more tolerance” in the July 8th edition, regarding the Washington, D.C., ADIZ. I couldn’t agree more. The entire “Patriot Act” should be repealed. It is a most egregious and dangerous step toward a Fascist government. It was all prepared before Sept. 11, and rushed through in a […]
How should aircraft engines be preheated?
I just read Paul McBride’s response to John Folinsbee in the April 22, 2005, issue (What led to camshaft damage?) I know this is a huge subject with no easy answers. May I give some information about engines and preheaters that we have observed and which might help your readers understand? Contrary to what you […]
Diabetic? You can still fly — if you’re willing to jump through some hoops
I recently had a 43-year-old diabetic pilot in my office for a Third Class Medical. My examination of the airman was unremarkable. His urinalysis was negative for sugar. He was slightly obese. Reports were provided stating he had no hypoglycemic reactions and no ophthalmological, neurological or nephrology problems. His A1C blood test, a measure of […]
Shark attack: Marking airplanes with a shark mouth used by both sides during both World Wars
By PETER M. BOWERS. Since the start of World War I, one of the most popular “extra” markings on military aircraft (aside from the standardized nationality and unit markings) has been the application of a mouth (sometimes a whole face) with very prominent painted-on teeth. This was supposed to represent a face or mouth for […]
The few, the proud, the persistent…
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Homeland Security Department has issued an Interim Flight Rule that will again permit general aviation aircraft to operate into and out of Reagan National Airport. Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, GA aircraft have not been permitted at DCA, which is located just across the Potomac River from downtown Washington. […]