Why did you post this letter, “Eliminating the terrorist threat,” in the Aug. 5 issue? This person’s point of view is obviously exceptionally naive. Effectively, he’s saying that if we were just to come home and be nice so will everyone else. Is it really necessary to post such an absurdity? Please confine yourselves to […]
A new definition of airport needed
I just finished your article “To save our airports” (July 22 issue). It is frustrating that politics saps so much joy from everyday GA operations. After following this subject for years, including leaseholder issues, business growth and finance problems, stability and viability in GA, community relations and “good neighbor” operations, I have come to believe […]
Paradise Lost
Thank you for the article discussing homeowner associations (Are homeowners’ associations a good idea, a necessary evil or a power grab? July 22 issue). Certainly there are situations, as discussed in the article, where HOAs and CC&Rs can be used to protect one’s property and property rights, however in both aviation and non-aviation related communities, the […]
Cousin to the Hughes Racer?
Have you ever seen a Harlow PJC-2? If you have, count yourself lucky. The low-wing single-engine design came about in 1940 as a class project. PJC stands for Pasadena Junior College in Southern California. The numeral two identifies the aircraft as the second design instructor Max Harlow had his students build. The airplane bears a […]
‘Reel’ pilots
Most people know Gen. Chuck Yeager as the man who first broke the sound barrier, but did you know he was also a movie pilot? Yeager flew one of the F-86 Sabre jets seen in the 1950 epic “Jet Pilot,” staring John Wayne. Produced by Howard Hughes, the film was shot over three years, from […]
Expect to keep a closer eye on the weather
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Pilots may have to study more weather and show proficiency in flying by reference only to instruments during a biennial flight review if recommendations made by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are adopted by the FAA. Results of a study of weather-related accidents indicates a need for better testing of pilots, […]
Sometimes it’s the small things that make a big difference
One of the highlights of the aviation year is EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh. The week-long gathering is great for many reasons, but mostly I enjoy seeing old friends and finding out what is new in the technical end of the business. One of the highlights of the aviation year is EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh. The […]
A simple matter? Building a reduced-scale replica presents its own challenges
By PETER M. BOWERS. One of the popular areas of the homebuilt aircraft movement is the designing and building of reduced-scale replicas. For the most part, these are reproductions of well-known single-seat fighters which, when built, are right in the size-weight-power range of the typical single-seat homebuilt. However, this is not just a simple matter […]
Homebuilt’s first flight ends before it begins
These September 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: Kitfox Lite Squared. Location: Homedale, Idaho. Injuries: None. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The aircraft had received its temporary experimental airworthiness certificate on […]