Want to fly “Fifi”? The B-29/B-24 Squadron of the Commemorative Air Force has launched the B-29 Endowment Program, where private pilots can obtain flight training in the world’s only flyable B-29, “Fifi.” This is a rare opportunity to obtain a type rating in this one-of-a-kind aircraft, best known for ending World War II with the […]
‘New and improved’ B-24 unveiled
The Commemorative Air Force’s B-24 was recently unveiled during the Gathering of Twin Tails at the American Airpower Heritage Museum at CAF Headquarters in Midland, Texas. For the past six months, Crew Chief Gary Austin has been returning the airplane formerly known as “Diamond Lil” to its original B-24A configuration, complete with a new paint […]
GAO says FAA has plenty of money
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the U.S. Department of Transportation have concluded that there is adequate money under the existing FAA funding scheme to support modernization. The FAA repeatedly claims that its funding mechanism needs to be overhauled to modernize the air traffic control system, but the DOT Inspector General, the GAO and the […]
Newest Murphy aircraft to be unveiled at Oshkosh
The Murphy Yukon is expected to make its debut at this year’s AirVenture in Oshkosh. Developed by Darryl Murphy and Richard Hiscocks, the Yukon is the original concept design behind two of Murphy Aircraft’s popular high-wing tail-draggers – The Super Rebel and the Moose. “We started this aircraft 10 years ago, but it grew into […]
WHAT IS DUAT?
The DUAT (Direct User Access Terminal) system is an online weather briefing and flight planning service created in 1989 when the FAA awarded contracts to two companies, Computer Sciences Corp. (CSC) and Data Transformation Corp. (DTC), after an open bidding process. The two companies process millions of transactions a year, with a transaction defined by […]
the buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
“Rock your wings with gusto.” — Instructions for acknowledging the tower in the NOTAM for the EAA Fly-in in Arlington, Wash., July 11- 15. “As they have in the past, airlines attempt to blame others for their own flight delays.” — Ken Mead, former inspector general of the Department of Transportation, on new ads by […]
The FAA propaganda machine: Has you local newspaper fallen victim?
If you had any doubts as to whether the FAA was going to mount a full-scale attempt to secure increased general aviation funding for the Next Generation Air Traffic Control system, let me make it very clear: they are in full attack mode. How do I know that? Probably the most obvious reason I came […]
FSS CONTRACT: FIRST STEP TO USER FEES?
Everyone is up in arms about user fees. Where were you and others when the Flight Service System was being contracted out? That was the first step to to user fees. It seems no one wants to admit that, but all of you cannot be so blind as to see where this is all heading. After two […]
A CALL TO ARMS
During a recent Senate vote, the senator from Washington, Maria Cantwell, chose to vote with the airlines, and against the rest of aviation. It was a narrow vote — 11 to 12 — so her vote had a significant impact and could have easily turned the tide on this one. The battle is not over, […]