I enjoyed reading Meg Godlewski’s article about Rob Drake and his instructor, Christy Helgeson (Say Again Rob: Deaf student pilot takes to the skies over Seattle, Dec. 24, 2004, issue). I’m deaf myself, but I have the benefit of a cochlear implant. When I got my third class medical in 2001, I was profoundly deaf […]
Opinion
Significant changes in the works for the future of aviation
WASHINGTON, D.C. — When Congress passed the Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act in December 2003, it called for the development of an integrated plan to “”ensure that the next generation air transportation system meets air transportation safety, security, mobility, efficiency, and capacity needs beyond those currently included in the FAA’s Operational Evolution Plan.”” Norman Mineta, […]
Moving on up
Are you ready for a jet? With all the hoopla surrounding the first flights and certification tests of the new very light jets coming to market, excitement is high. Anyone who’s been to any of the major shows in the past few years knows that the jets are among the most popular attractions. Pilots — […]
Just Hanging Around
In the past you ran a number of letters covering questions on the four-cylinder, two-cycle engine used on the target drone aircraft used by the military around the end of World War II. Igor Bensen designed and sold plans for a gyrocopter using the engine in pusher configuration. Enclosed is a picture of just such […]
Curtiss F9C
By PETER M. BOWERS. One of the most memorable airplanes in the U.S. Navy inventory is the little Curtiss F9C “Sparrowhawk” of 1931-36. Aside from its distinctive gull-winged configuration and small size for a contemporary fighter, the F9Cs are best remembered for their unique role as auxiliaries to large rigid airships. They were actually carried […]
Don’t blame Bush
The Nov. 26th edition of GAN is the second containing a comment/complaint about President Bush shutting down airspace by imposing a TFR. FYI: It is the Secret Service’s job to inform the TSA of the president’s movements and also their job by law to protect him. TFRs are imposed by the TSA, not the White […]
When hurricanes blow, fly your plane out!
I agree with Michael Gleason’s letter (How Stupid!) in a previous issue. I lived on the Gulf Coast four years, in Key West, Fla., for about two years, and in the Jacksonville, Fla., area more than 15 years. Due to the “possibility” of a hurricane hitting the area, I flew our airplane out of Key […]
Don’t forget common sense and good judgment
My reaction to the letter from Brian Sheets in the Dec. 10 issue (Sport Pilot: A disaster waiting to happen): Before anyone can take the knowledge test or the practical test for a sport class pilot certificate, they must receive logbook endorsements from an authorized instructor. No authorized instructor is required to make that logbook […]
Chill Out
In response to Mr. Sheets’ concerns for “under trained” fixed wing pilots operating in the Sport Pilot category flooding the sky, I must reply, “Chill Out!” The Sport Pilot program is a nice reprieve from an already overregulated industry. Mr. Sheets has already noted how “pilots with many hours” end up NTSB statistics. I recall reading insurance […]