WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Goldwater Institute has asked the United States Supreme Court to hear its case against the FAA for shutting down Flytenow, a start-up business that uses the Internet to connect private pilots with passengers wishing to share flight expenses. Flytenow expands on “sharing economy” services that companies like Uber and Airbnb have […]
Pilots
I’m a pilot, not an airman
The FAA should have titled the Practical Test Standards (PTS) replacement Pilot Certification Standards, not Airman Certification Standards (ACS). Regardless what you think of the new standards for awarding (or earning) a pilot — see there it is — certificate, the title is wrong. Never have I been asked, “Are you an airman?” And I’d hazard a […]
Flight school collaborates with charter company on pilot employment program
HILLSBORO, Ore. — Hillsboro Aero Academy has partnered with ACI Jet on a Pilot Pathway Program to provide a path to employment in the charter industry for Hillsboro Aero Academy’s qualified pilots. ACI Jet is a charter operator founded in 1998 with a fleet of 12 private jet aircraft and two corporate jet centers. The program includes […]
Reconsidering the CFI
I am a Certificated Flight Instructor. I’m proud of that fact. The CFI ticket is a highly sought after indication of capability that opens the door for many of us to our first professional gig as a pilot. It takes considerable study and focus to earn a CFI ticket, or the instrument instructor (CFII), or […]
Picture of the day: Beautiful scenery, a mug of Java…what else could a pilot want?
David Baldwin sent in this photo, noting: “Ahhh…enjoying a large mug of Java while out for a nice early morning flight, flying over the Eklutna hydro electric plant 34 miles northeast of Anchorage, Alaska, that began operation around 1954. “A 4.5 mile tunnel was bored through the mountain from Eklutna lake on the other side […]
And a pilot shall lead them
Education is a hot button issue in any election year. Yet it never gets any better, no matter what we’re promised. It’s my impression the electorate merely wants to hear someone make a promise, even if it’s an empty one. They’re looking for a cheerleader. Somebody to toss out platitudes and catch-phrases that give the […]
Model Code of Conduct released for pilots flying near unmanned aircraft
Flight Safety in the Drone Age (FSDA) has been released by the Aviators Model Code of Conduct Initiative’s Permanent Editorial Board. The publication offers voluntary guidance to advance the safety of flight when operating near unmanned aircraft also known as drones or remotely piloted aircraft (RPA). The product of peer review within the manned and unmanned aviation […]
Video: Hooking the next generation on flying
One of the most enjoyable aspects of my work revolves around the ability to take others aloft in a bright yellow and black Reimagined Cessna 152. The airplane is pretty much a stock C-152, not much different than those you’ve probably logged time in. What separates the airplane I fly from the one you flew […]
Pilot to attempt world record to increase awareness of wildlife conservation
On June 6, pilot Faisal Sultan will set off on an attempt to set a new world record circumnavigating the globe in a single engine aircraft within 26 days to raise awareness of international wildlife conservation and anti-poaching efforts. Faisal’s Flight for Wildlife aims to heighten international awareness of the threat of poachers, and the need […]