A new report from the Congressional Research Service, “Securing General Aviation,” notes that GA is not a threat, adding that a “one size fits all” approach to security is not practical. The report notes that GA planes’ ability to carry explosives is small compared to trucks and other vehicles. It also points out that airspace […]
Pilot in a week?
Can you become a pilot in a week? Just ask Davin Coburn, a science editor at “Popular Mechanics,” who started his flying lessons at Mid-Atlantic Sports Planes (MASPL) in Alexandria, Va., with one objective in mind: to complete the Sport Pilot flight requirements and take his check ride in a week. He succeeded. One week […]
The wonders of modern science
Until recent times, pilots often wondered – and discussed at length – how flies land on ceilings. Do they do a half-roll first? A reversed split-s? Half of an inside loop? A few years ago, high-speed cameras finally taught us how the maneuver is done: Flies approach the ceiling in a shallow climb, contact it […]
Give me a break
In reference to the article Cub vs. Cub (Dec. 2 issue), is CubCrafters serious? How about if the producers of TOP tobacco decide that CubCrafters is infringing on their good name? Give me a break CubCrafters. The words legend, cub and yellow are all in the dictionary! This lawsuit has nothing to do with infringement, just […]
The bigger question
Mr. Helms raises a valid and timely issue in his recent letter regarding the self-certification aspect of Sport Pilot medicals (Could medical kill Sport Pilot? Dec. 2 issue). I plan to keep flying my Comanche for some time yet, but like many older pilots, have considered switching to Sport Pilot somewhere down the road if […]
Mass arrivals actually safer
Sorry I missed the Lisa Kondrick article (Time to get outta Dodge, Sept. 9 issue) that touched off this subject, but the letter to the editor by Michael Baas (Just say no to mass arrivals, Oct. 7 issue) concerns me for the lack of bigger picture perspective.A complaint is made that the mass arrivals somehow […]
A lame excuse
I just read Elliott Schiffman’s excuse for mass arrivals at Oshkosh (Bonanza leader tackles critics, Nov. 18 issue). I was one of the people trapped by these guys and the Mooneys. I blame the EAA for letting these so-called Big Money people pull this kind of stunt. My take is get in line like the […]
Where are the warbirds?
Someone recently told me that there are only 15 B-17s that are considered flyable today and less than three dozen more that are either on static display or are restorable derelicts. Can you imagine what an impressive sight it would be to see a formation of 12 to 15 B-17s fly by? However impressive such […]
Could tax bill kill GA?
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As Congress returns from its break, one of the important issues it will take up is the Tax Relief Act of 2005, which contains two harmful proposals for general aviation. The bill —S. 2020 — passed the Senate with these provisions. The House version is different, so it will go to conference, […]