Letters

I was glad to see your story in the June 22 issue about the salvation of the historic Avenger Field rotating beacon by the good people at Lee Bottom Field (WASP airport beacon saved from dumpster). If anyone knows of another no-longer-needed rotating beacon, Flabob Airport in Riverside, Calif., is looking for one. We have an […]

Just picked up the June 8 issue and saw your answer to Mr. Blanchette in the Ask Paul column (What is normal oil consumption?). While you are technically correct that a quart in four hours is not out of limits, it’s not normal for a new engine. In our case, we had new ECi brand […]

My vote for the greatest aircraft ever is for one not nominated: The versatile Consolidated PBY “Catalina” flying boat. The tool, the servant, the magic carpet, the seven league boat. A graceful form expressing its function. In service from the tropics to the arctic, on land and sea. Performing key roles in war and peace […]

Please consider this problem: Someone losing a medical who has flown his 140 for more than 30 years and is an excellent pilot. As an organization we were hoping for an approval as a Light Sport Aircraft and had already received that when the FAA reneged. The EAA and the AOPA have not helped us […]

First let me say how thoroughly I enjoy your magazine. With a 71-year affiliation with a general aviation company, among many other endeavors, my personal underlying efforts have been to foster among the general public a better understanding of general aviation and how it differs from “aerial mass transit,” i.e., scheduled airlines. There are some 12,000 plus airports in the nation, […]

I sure enjoyed the latest issue of General Aviation News, especially the article “The Greatest Aircraft Ever” (June 8 issue). On a historical note, a few years before aircraft designer Donald Douglas died, I had located his address and wrote him a letter. In my letter, one of the questions I asked him, in addition to […]

I was surprised that your list of greatest airplanes didn’t include the longest lived military planes in the U.S. inventory. I refer to the C-130 and B-52. I guess the reason is your readers are general aviation folks and they have not had much exposure to these two incredible airplanes. The C-130 has indeed seen […]

Saturday morning, June 2nd, dawned crisp and clear in Calaveras County, Calif. My Christen Eagle II was polished and ready for the short flight to Merced. It was the 50th anniversary of their annual antique fly-in and, even though N70CE is only 10 years old, she’s always been a welcome addition to any display area. […]

What is happening with flight service? My first complaint is with the phone service. I am so tired of trying to talk to an automated phone system. “Say briefer.” What am I — a 2 year old? I said it 10 times and the stupid automated piece of junk doesn’t work and yet I still […]