Relationships can make a difference on Capitol Hill WASHINGTON, D.C. — For persons representing general aviation before members of Congress, it is pleasant when the chair of the committee, or a few members of it, are knowledgeable about aviation. It is even more enjoyable when the person testifying is known personally by members of the […]
Opinion
A grand dame
Death is a natural process. While hard for some to accept, it is the inevitability that every living thing must face. Death can take many forms. Quick and sudden or long and lingering, for some it is a tragic force to be denied and cursed. For others, it is a blessed, quiet journey into that […]
Pushed over the edge
I would like to take this opportunity to respond to a column written by Joel Elman in the November issue titled “The eye of the camera.” After reading this article several times, I tried to figure out how something like this could have been deemed worthy of being published. This article was not informative, factual, […]
A powerful decision
By PETER M. BOWERS. This is a classic Of Wings & Things from the 1980s. GAN will continue to run the late Mr. Bowers’ column for the enjoyment of his readers. One of the major decisions for any airplane designer is powerplant. Sometimes the choice is made for the designer when the customer who ordered […]
A ramp rat visits the House of Mouse
Why is it that some people love amusement park rides that produce a physical force that mimics flying but are afraid to fly in a small airplane? One of my closest friends is a roller coaster fanatic, but he refuses to ride in a small airplane. And it’s not just because I am the PIC. […]
Our freedom to fly is at risk
I have implored pilots to engage with us at the Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission in keeping aircraft and airports secure. A recent TV report has shown that we are still not receiving the needed cooperation by all concerned. I have warned that the media representation can only be two dimensional. This most recent television report only […]
What’s under the tree?
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Information leaks in this town are means of communications. The only times politicians click their tongues in shame are when the leakers get caught. Therefore, it should not surprise anyone that information was leaked to me about what certain individuals will be receiving for Christmas. True to my journalistic profession, I will […]
What is the shelf life of avgas?
The short answer is that, under most conditions, the shelf life of avgas is about one year. If you are a commercial operator, this is the end of the discussion.
What about the ADIZ?
You missed a big opportunity to make a better case for “bureaucratic overreaction” (Truth or consequences: Where zeal can compromise safety, November issue) when you failed to mention or discuss the one issue that concerns all pilots in the “Southern” area: FAA’s and the Secret Service’s attempt to make permanent the Washington ADIZ. There was […]