I knew something was wrong when I had several cell phone messages from one of my flying club’s assistant chief instructors. A cargo plane had gone down and two of our coworkers who recently had gone to work for that company were not answering their cell phones. She asked me to use my reporter resources […]
Why dis diesels
WHY DISDIESELS? I do not understand why Paul McBride is so against diesels as all new diesels are virtually vibration free (Diesel engines and GA: A good combination? June 23 issue). The new Jaguar built V-6 DOHC diesel being placed in Jaguars, Peugeots, Saabs, etc., has the least — and certainly cannot be felt “vibrating.” […]
Wrong date for Doolittle’s Blind Flight
You have a great publication, but I noticed in the June 23rd issue on page 6, you said “Doolittle’s blind flight took place in 1928” (Pass the salt — and a pen). Actually the flight took place Sept. 24, 1929. The year of 1929 was a high tech time in history for instrument flying developments. […]
Could airpark have saved Meigs Field?
I was interested in Dave Sclair’s article on airparks in the June 23 issue of GANews (Under construction: Airparks as a way to save airports?) When Chicago’s Mayor Daley got his head caught in a wheel well during gear retraction and dug up Meigs Field, I can’t describe my anger and disgust. I had been […]
By the numbers
Tribute dinner shines light on GA’s humanitarian efforts, by Charles Spence in the June 9 issue, is a good article. I call U.S. senators and representatives requesting support for pending legislation of interest to me. Providing legal protection for Angel Flight pilots is needed. H.R. 1871, Volunteer Pilots Protection Act, was reportedly approved by the […]
Lone Star Museum worth a visit
Having attended Westwood College in Houston several years ago to get my A&P certificate, I visited the Lone Star Flight Museum several times (History comes alive at the Lone Star Flight Museum, June 9 issue). Definitely an excellent place to visit. The restored aircraft are in beautiful condition, the staff friendly and helpful. Overall, just […]
More rules of flight
These were told to me by Gabe Matheson, my flight instructor at Harvey Field (S43) in Snohomish, Wash: “If your engine quits at night, turn on the landing light. If you don’t like what you see, go ahead and turn it off again.” “You are so far behind this airplane, we could walk to the […]
Katmai to debut at AOPA Expo
The new Katmai combines the best of an efficient cross country airplane with an airplane designed to operate safely in the back country. In the past a pilot had to choose between having a comfortable cross country airplane or a bush plane for weekend adventures. It was not possible to have both in one airplane. […]
Airlines’ Attack on GA nothing new
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nothing new happens in Washington — only the cast of characters changes. About 40 years ago, increasing sales of single and light twin airplanes and the growing use of general aviation for business travel brought frantic efforts by the airlines to control this supposed threat. Spearheaded by American Airlines, strong efforts were […]