Have you ever wondered why the more successful fighter pilots are called aces? It’s an odd story, which begins with a popular Frenchman of pre-World War I vintage. Roland Garros was a Parisian bon vivant who became entranced by flying in 1909, after seeing Alberto Santos-Dumont skimming madly among the city’s chimney pots aboard a […]
FLABOB ON LOOKOUT FOR ROTATING BEACON
I was glad to see your story in the June 22 issue about the salvation of the historic Avenger Field rotating beacon by the good people at Lee Bottom Field (WASP airport beacon saved from dumpster). If anyone knows of another no-longer-needed rotating beacon, Flabob Airport in Riverside, Calif., is looking for one. We have an […]
A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME?
First let me say how thoroughly I enjoy your magazine. With a 71-year affiliation with a general aviation company, among many other endeavors, my personal underlying efforts have been to foster among the general public a better understanding of general aviation and how it differs from “aerial mass transit,” i.e., scheduled airlines. There are some 12,000 plus airports in the nation, […]
140 OWNERS NEED HELP FIGHTING FAA
Please consider this problem: Someone losing a medical who has flown his 140 for more than 30 years and is an excellent pilot. As an organization we were hoping for an approval as a Light Sport Aircraft and had already received that when the FAA reneged. The EAA and the AOPA have not helped us […]
THE PBY CATALINA GETS HIS VOTE
My vote for the greatest aircraft ever is for one not nominated: The versatile Consolidated PBY “Catalina” flying boat. The tool, the servant, the magic carpet, the seven league boat. A graceful form expressing its function. In service from the tropics to the arctic, on land and sea. Performing key roles in war and peace […]
Oil consumption not normail for a new engine
Just picked up the June 8 issue and saw your answer to Mr. Blanchette in the Ask Paul column (What is normal oil consumption?). While you are technically correct that a quart in four hours is not out of limits, it’s not normal for a new engine. In our case, we had new ECi brand […]
A hard-won tribute: Painting captures a moment in time when a B-29 crew finds a safe haven
Aviation art often tells the story of a particular aircraft by depicting a specific moment in time. It can tell whatever the artist wants it to say – the beauty of flight, the horrors of war, or those last exhausting, but exhilarating, moments of flight when man finally returns to Earth after a very long […]
In the beginning…
If you can use it in an airplane or to enhance your aviation experience, chances are good that you can find it at Sporty’s Pilot Shop. Indeed, there are those who say that ordering something from the world-famous pilot supply store is a rite of passage in aviation. Sporty’s got its start when owner and […]
A sigh of relief – and a warning: House passes FAA reauthorization bill without user fees
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Passage by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee of the FAA Reauthorization legislation — without user fees — brought some level of relief to the general aviation community, but also a warning that user fee opponents cannot let their guards down. Introducing the bill, Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.) said projected growth of […]