Guest Editorial By John Christensen I recently attended my 50th high school reunion. I had a wonderful time reminiscing with classmates. As one would expect, the rather large crowd quickly organized itself into small groups, according to interests, past and present. I found myself embedded in a pod of old coot pilots. After the hangar stories, […]
Pilots
High-flying pilots at increased risk of brain lesions
A new study suggests that pilots who fly at high altitudes may be at an increased risk for brain lesions. For the study, published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, 102 U-2 United States Air Force pilots and 91 non-pilots between the ages of 26 and 50 underwent MRI brain scans. The […]
Bimini Sands resort offers pilots airport processing fee rebate
SOUTH BIMINI, Bahamas — Bimini Sands Resort & Marina is offering a rebate of up to $75 to private pilots who fly into Bimini International Airport (BIM) and stay a minimum of two nights at the resort. This rebate is intended to help cover the new processing fee of $50 to $75 for private pilots entering […]
The frugal owner
By BRENT OWENS Airplane ownership is one of the best things about flying. The freedom, sense of pride and camaraderie afforded by owning your own airplane is truly a game-changer. The detractor in all of this is the cost. In the U.S. alone the annual cost to own and fly an average four passenger, non-complex, […]
Flying is serious: Pilots don’t always have to be
Now available at Sporty’s are several humorous signs that show the light-hearted side of aviation. Patterned after vintage signs from the 1920s and 1930s, these three signs have a weathered, old-style look. “Four Forces of Flight” aren’t what you are taught in ground school. Rather, the sign illustrates the Four Forces as money, dreams, the […]
My first plane
By EDWARD DOLEJSI The overwhelming desire to buy a plane for the first timer can be the experience of a lifetime. The dream of owning my own plane, the search for the right one, and finally parting with my money, should have started my life in the pilots’ paradise. Well, “should have” are the operative […]
Declare your independence: Fly cheap
There are two kinds of GA pilots in the world. The first group is the experienced pilot who wants to continue flying as often and for as many years as possible. A major deterrent to meeting that goal is cost. Renting an airplane at $100 an hour or more is difficult for many of us. […]
Young pilot completes solo flight around the world
FRESNO, Calif. — On June 29, Jack Wiegand completed his mission to break the current Guinness World Records title and became the youngest person to fly solo around the world. The Fresno, Calif. native, 21 years 7 days, broke the current record held by James Anthony Tan of Malaysia who was 21 years 344 days […]
Pilots still needed for study
The MITRE Corporation’s Center for Advanced Aviation System Development is still recruiting pilots for a study evaluating proposed changes to runway standards at general aviation airports. Pilots who participate can earn up to $250. The study will examine whether infrastructure standards, such as runway width and length, pavement markings, visual guidance systems and edge lighting, […]