Could we be on the cusp of a whole new wave of productive, effective, inspirational educational opportunities that use aviation as a tool to engage students? I think so. I truly do.
Politics for Pilots
Touching base with the brain trust
The very first NAFI Summit was a gathering of flight instructors, flight school owners, writers, content producers, and managers who all have at least one thing in common — a desire to improve the state of flight instruction for the throngs of students who are flocking to airports across the land.
The noise that is music to our ears
The cumulative effects of the noise I’ve encountered over the course of my life has been damaging, without a doubt. But aircraft are significantly quieter today than they were when I was a boy.
Nostalgia lost and found
When you take your next vacation, whether you’re going to the beach, the mountains, the desert, or the prairie, consider doing a search for nostalgic aviation opportunities in the area. The odds are good you’ll find something of interest, as I did on Falcon Field in Mesa, Arizona.
The downside of convenience
What the Cub pilot thinks of as a long runway the B-737 pilot sees as entirely inadequate. To say it another way: In aviation, size matters. In fact, it matters a lot.
Maybe we should follow in this teen’s footsteps
If a 16-year-old kid can plan out the basics of an Aero Club, seek out the professional assistance necessary to confidently set it up in a way that will pass muster with the authorities he’ll have to deal with, and build a membership that actively wants to help pull the wagon — well, the rest of us can probably do it too.
Living large on wheels and wings
There is a common thread between the motorcycle and the airplane that perhaps deserves consideration. Those of us who engage with these machines are considered to be adventurers. Some might call us daring, although the truth is most of us do our best to limit risk when riding or flying. It’s in our best interest to do so.
Who is in charge here?
Many managers of non-towered airports take a hands-off approach for fear of making a misstep that embarrasses them or opens them up to criticism. They allow the safety of operations to degrade rather than take bold steps to fend off an impending disaster. If you fly, you’ve seen this firsthand, as have I — as has every pilot who ventures into their airspace and lands on their field.
A checkered past does not preclude a bright future
There was a period in my career when I spent time restoring warbirds. I learned a valuable lesson during that phase of life: Anything can be repaired if you’ve got enough money and time. Anything.