There probably isn’t an airport in the world that didn’t get a visit or a phone call from its local newspaper or television station in the wake of the crash of an SR20 in New York City on Oct. 11. The crash killed Yankee relief pitcher Cory Lidle, 34, and Tyler Stanger, 26, a flight […]
Congestion
As more and more people are saying “traffic in the area please advise” on the radio, the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) 4-1-9 g-1 now states: g. Self-Announce Position and/or Intentions 1. General. Self-announce is a procedure whereby pilots broadcast their position or intended flight activity or ground operation on the designated CTAF. This procedure is […]
The sooner, the better
Your reference to the T3 airplanes scrapped by the Air Force caught my attention (Decisions, decisions, Touch & Go, Oct. 6). Some years ago, I became involved in the issue of the Air Force’s problem with “uncommanded engine stoppages.” I can assure you, the engine was not the problem. Nor was the proficiency of the […]
Between a rock and a hard place
Several years ago I pursued a special issuance for my medical and received same. It was a long and tedious process but I was persistent and won. I was able to fly for several years and then out of nowhere I suffered a stroke that rendered me blind. It’s a good thing I wasn’t in […]
Smithsonian or bust…
Charles E. Taylor joins Smithsonian’s aviation pioneers A bronze bust of Charles E. Taylor now sits proudly at the Air & Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center. Dubbed the father of aircraft maintenance, Taylor was the Wright brothers’ mechanic. Kenneth MacTiernan, director of the Aircraft Maintenance Technicians Association, was the driving force behind raising both the awareness […]
Put a plane on your plate
Montana pilots can support general aviation — and a local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association — by choosing a new vanity plate the next time they renew their car tags. EAA Chapter 517 in Missoula is working with the state to offer the aviation-inspired license plate. Chapter President Steve Rossiter credits newsletter editor Frank […]
Fair is fair? FAA, airlines continue blitz for user fees
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Air Traffic Control Association (ATCA) held its annual conference and exposition here earlier this month and, as with most aviation meetings now, one of the hottest sessions concerned funding for the FAA. A panel discussion brought out the usual airline pitch of fairness. This hackneyed point was touted by Sharon Pinkerton, […]
What oil is best for winter?
A few issues back, I wrote about what steps to take to winterize your aircraft (A chill is in the air: What does that mean for aircraft owners? Oct. 6 issue). Since that time several people have asked me the age-old question, “”what oil should I use in the winter to best protect my aircraft?”” […]
Premature parachute deployment leads to loss of aircraft control
Aircraft control not possible by the pilot following a premature deployment of a parachute as a parachutist exited the jump airplane during cruise flight.