The Coast Guard’s air station in Atlantic City, N.J., is taking over responsibility for intercepting airplanes that violate the Washington, D.C., Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). Previously patrolled by the Customs and Border Patrol’s Blackhawks, the ADIZ will now be patrolled by the Coast Guard’s HH-65C Dolphins, which will be equipped with civilian-frequency VHF radios […]
The Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
“Tony said his goal was to make people sick because he wanted the dog-fighting scenes to be as accurate as possible. He wanted them to get that feeling of what it was like to be in the airplane and the cockpit.” — David Ellison, one of the stars of “Flyboys” on director Tony Bill’s vision […]
Decisions, decisions
“Another five minutes and I am going to shut us down!” my copilot declared in frustration as we sat at the hold short line of Alpha Nine, waiting our turn to take off from King County International/Boeing Field (BFI). It was a late afternoon in August. We had the windows and the vents open and […]
Precedent (NJ airport under attack)
In regards to the letter in the Aug. 18th issue about the New Jersey airport that is under attack (N.J. airport under attack), I wish to add the following: Unfortunately Mr. Walker’s statement that if the NIMBYS are legally successful in any way, it will set a precedent that will affect not only the airports […]
Boeing slates historic building for demolition
The Boeing Airplane Co. is planning to tear down a significant piece of aviation history. The Plant 2 building on East Marginal Way South in Seattle is slated for demolition soon. This is the factory that employed 30,000 Seattle people at the peak of World War II, turning out B-17 Flying Fortresses at the rate of several […]
A-maze-ing!
Pilots flying over western Washington State can see the future of Boeing carved in the local landscape. Boeing partnered with Stocker Farms to feature its 787 Dreamliner, the latest in a long line of airliners, as the design of the farm’s annual corn maze. The maze uses a series of trails throughout the 10-acre field […]
Part of “Winnie Mae” returns to Oklahoma
A piece of the famous “Winnie Mae,” flown around the world on a record-setting flight by Oklahoma aviator Wiley Post in 1931, was returned to Oklahoma City Aug. 23 during a welcome home party and reception at Wiley Post Airport.A wheel cover, or pant, from Post’s Lockheed Vega, it will be the largest piece of […]
“Safest aviation system in the world”
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Members of the House Aviation Subcommittee bragged that the United States has the safest aviation system in the world, but they still raked the FAA over the coals for not doing enough to address key safety issues. Although the recent oversight hearing was scheduled before the Lexington, Kentucky, Comair wrong-runway accident, that […]
What’s the best way to really test a mag?
I often hear from U.S. mechanics that in their opinion the only way to really test a mag is to do it while flying. They say that’s because you can really get the highest rpm, say 2,550, and then do a left/right check as I normally would do at 1,700 on the ground. I’m not […]