I agree wholeheartedly with Tom Norton’s May 19 editorial on the absence of civility in arguing matters of science today (Prove it!). But, as a scientist, I note that his definition of theory at the end of the article is incorrectly used. While the lay definition he gives is correct, the scientific definition is completely […]
Opinion
Aerotropolis: The airport – and community – of the future
I just finished reading a magazine article that left me both surprised and thrilled. Published in Fast Company magazine, this article explains how cities around the world – especially in China, India, Thailand, Hong Kong and South Korea – are not only building massive new airports, but they are surrounding the airports with commercial and […]
Choosing the right engine: A confusing matter
I have owned N68338 for 20 years. Our Cessna 310 has taken us as far as Germany and goes often to the Caribbean. Recently it had a major makeover with an Air Mod interior, Dial paint etc., etc. There have been lots of premature engine changes due to cracked cases and cylinder failures near enough […]
Could airpark have saved Meigs Field?
I was interested in Dave Sclair’s article on airparks in the June 23 issue of GANews (Under construction: Airparks as a way to save airports?) When Chicago’s Mayor Daley got his head caught in a wheel well during gear retraction and dug up Meigs Field, I can’t describe my anger and disgust. I had been […]
Wrong date for Doolittle’s Blind Flight
You have a great publication, but I noticed in the June 23rd issue on page 6, you said “Doolittle’s blind flight took place in 1928” (Pass the salt — and a pen). Actually the flight took place Sept. 24, 1929. The year of 1929 was a high tech time in history for instrument flying developments. […]
Why dis diesels
WHY DISDIESELS? I do not understand why Paul McBride is so against diesels as all new diesels are virtually vibration free (Diesel engines and GA: A good combination? June 23 issue). The new Jaguar built V-6 DOHC diesel being placed in Jaguars, Peugeots, Saabs, etc., has the least — and certainly cannot be felt “vibrating.” […]
Airlines’ Attack on GA nothing new
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nothing new happens in Washington — only the cast of characters changes. About 40 years ago, increasing sales of single and light twin airplanes and the growing use of general aviation for business travel brought frantic efforts by the airlines to control this supposed threat. Spearheaded by American Airlines, strong efforts were […]
Losing Josh
I knew something was wrong when I had several cell phone messages from one of my flying club’s assistant chief instructors. A cargo plane had gone down and two of our coworkers who recently had gone to work for that company were not answering their cell phones. She asked me to use my reporter resources […]
Katmai to debut at AOPA Expo
The new Katmai combines the best of an efficient cross country airplane with an airplane designed to operate safely in the back country. In the past a pilot had to choose between having a comfortable cross country airplane or a bush plane for weekend adventures. It was not possible to have both in one airplane. […]