Someone recently told me that there are only 15 B-17s that are considered flyable today and less than three dozen more that are either on static display or are restorable derelicts. Can you imagine what an impressive sight it would be to see a formation of 12 to 15 B-17s fly by? However impressive such […]
Opinion
The wonders of modern science
Until recent times, pilots often wondered – and discussed at length – how flies land on ceilings. Do they do a half-roll first? A reversed split-s? Half of an inside loop? A few years ago, high-speed cameras finally taught us how the maneuver is done: Flies approach the ceiling in a shallow climb, contact it […]
A lame excuse
I just read Elliott Schiffman’s excuse for mass arrivals at Oshkosh (Bonanza leader tackles critics, Nov. 18 issue). I was one of the people trapped by these guys and the Mooneys. I blame the EAA for letting these so-called Big Money people pull this kind of stunt. My take is get in line like the […]
Could tax bill kill GA?
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As Congress returns from its break, one of the important issues it will take up is the Tax Relief Act of 2005, which contains two harmful proposals for general aviation. The bill —S. 2020 — passed the Senate with these provisions. The House version is different, so it will go to conference, […]
Mass arrivals actually safer
Sorry I missed the Lisa Kondrick article (Time to get outta Dodge, Sept. 9 issue) that touched off this subject, but the letter to the editor by Michael Baas (Just say no to mass arrivals, Oct. 7 issue) concerns me for the lack of bigger picture perspective.A complaint is made that the mass arrivals somehow […]
The bigger question
Mr. Helms raises a valid and timely issue in his recent letter regarding the self-certification aspect of Sport Pilot medicals (Could medical kill Sport Pilot? Dec. 2 issue). I plan to keep flying my Comanche for some time yet, but like many older pilots, have considered switching to Sport Pilot somewhere down the road if […]
Is a teardown warranted?
QUESTION: Thanks for your great column. It is wonderful having a resource like yourself. My question is regarding an intercooled TIO-540-S1A installed in an Aerostar 601P. The right engine MAP has been rapidly increasing past the 29.5″” limit. This has happened on takeoff as well as in cruise. In each instance the power has been […]
Third class medical is no parachute
I too am an editor. I edit and produce a newsletter and a web page for our local EAA Chapter. I must respond to the letter from John “JT” Helms in the Dec. 2 issue (Could medical kill Sport Pilot?). He is a branch manager of an insurance agency, a for-profit organization. There is nothing […]
A debt of gratitude
To me, all airplane restoration projects are astounding. The artisans and craftsman and those who are “self taught” accomplish great works of art. However, reading the story and looking at the pictures of before, and almost completed after, of the Halifax Bomber restoration, in my opinion, makes it akin to a miracle (Work continues to bring […]