To: Federal Aviation Administration Subject: Federal Docket # FAA-2004-17005 I am a pilot. I was a Naval Aviator for more than 20 years, and am currently a captain for Southwest Airlines, based at the BWI airport. I am very familiar with the aviation profession. Just as important, I am a general aviation pilot, flying and teaching for the […]
Bonanza leader tackles critics
I must respond to the Oct. 7 letter from Michael R. Baas complaining about the mass arrivals of type specific aircraft at AirVenture (Just say no to mass arrivals). His complaint centered about the need for him and others to hold during the arrival. As leader of Bonanzas to Oshkosh I can answer most of […]
CAP’s public relations working overtime
I read with interest your editorial regarding lost opportunities for publicity on the outstanding contributions of the aviation community during Hurricane Katrina (The New Orleans example, Oct. 7 issue). The attached documents present the Civil Air Patrol’s Hurricane Katrina media relations program and a report on the publicity received. Please know that I applaud your call […]
Paying for the Meigs fiasco
In the end, we must assume the taxpayer in Chicago will pick up the tab for the $33,000 fine for the Meigs Field fiasco perpetrated by the Mayor of Chicago (FAA fines Chicago for Meigs Field destruction, Sept. 23 issue). And now we learn that there may be a much larger fine on its way […]
Sam Lyons’ latest tells a wonderful story of two American icons
Should a plane be painted in its natural environs – playing tag with clouds or hopping over trees and meadows? What about painting it forlorn looking, like a sad-eyed puppy dog, on the ramp waiting for its master to take it for a hop? Or maybe it should be shown perched expectantly on a catapult, […]
Feds get serious about security matters
Washington, D.C. — Recent developments in the Washington area demonstrate just how serious the government is about security matters. A major announcement was made about reopening Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to general aviation after its closure following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The media carried stories about flights returning. The first general aviation flight […]
Can I use 100LL in my homebuilt’s auto engine?
Today’s question comes from a Mr. R. Burger of South Africa. He has a V-8 auto engine in what, I assume, is a homebuilt aircraft. He was wondering if he can use 100LL in his plane without any negative effects on tanks and other fuel system components, spark plug life, engine timing and oil selection. […]
Flight over neighborhood ends in fatal crash
These October 2003 Accident Reports are provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, they are intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others. Aircraft: Rans S-10. Location: Ponder, Texas. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: Several witnesses said the pilot, who had logged about 314 […]
STC awarded for Falcon and Citation models
Garrett/Piedmont Hawthorne/Associated has received an STC for installation of Rockwell Collins’ IDS-3000 Integrated Display Systems on Dassault Mystere-Falcon 200 and FJ44 Eagle II Citation 501 series aircraft. The Falcon 200 installation includes four 8-inch-by-10-inch active matrix liquid crystal displays – two primary flight displays and two multi-function displays – that replace the original flight instruments. […]