We received notification of a Ramada Inn that was selling everything to the bare walls, in preparation for demolition. Although our hotel is unique in many ways, we *all* use blow dryers, lamps, end tables -- and, yes, ironing boards -- so this seemed like a great opportunity to find some real...

Hi All, I was thinking today about the fluid dynamics surrounding a propeller as it moves in a circular motion. It seems that, no matter what the blade angle, there would be a significant amount of energy lost simply by turning the fluid. IOW, even if there were no drag at any point on the...

In the past I've been accused of being hopelessly starry-eyed about Oshkosh, to the point of waxing poetically sappy. Just to prove that I'm not all sniffly about leaving OSH, I thought I'd list my Top Ten List of things that suck about Oshkosh. Feel free to add yours. 10. Seaplane Base...

I'm seeing a lot of people leaving usenet quite publicly, in favor of a moderated forum, because the signal to noise ratio on the group has become so poor. This is of course their right and decision. I don't intend to follow them, and that of course is mine. I will, however, point out some major...

There are some mysteries that I've encountered while learning to read VFR charts: 1. I see airports with dashed cyan circles around them that I presume indicate Class D airspace (based on the chart legend). However, the circles are not always the same size, and I don't see any indication of their...

As gas -- and corn -- prices creep ever higher, everyone in my great State of Iowa is all ablush with talk of riches pouring in, thanks to ethanol production. They can barely contain their glee at this remarkable turn of economic fortune. (Remember, just a few years ago farmers here had one foot...

I have often wondered, with GA under increased scrutiny, how long it would be before one of us was investigated as a suspected terrorist. I never thought I would be first. I came home from the airport last night to find a business card stuck in the door of my apartment. It had the embossed gold...

Our new hangar lease includes a specific ban on bicycles, of all things. (And cars, and anything else in the hangars not directly related to aviation.) Is this legal? -- Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA Pathfinder N56993 www.AlexisParkInn.com

I have been at various airshows, flyins, etc where CAP cadets and adults were present in uniform. As the civilian auxiliary of the Air Force are they expected to salute officers etc? Are members of the Air Force supposed to salute CAP members of higher rank? Walking around at these functions...

Why is it important to see Obama's college records? Because the media has created fantasies around Obama on every issue. You should start dispelling them with the easiest one, i.e. the fantasy of Obama's "academic degrees and honors". Obama has been fighting desperately to block all access to his...

What'd you think of it? Should I go see it? The Monk

Not my statement. See http://www.longbets.org/4 What sayeth the group wisdom? I think eventually there will be pilotless aircraft, the question is when.

For me, it's the King Air. Other opinions?

I was reading some of the older posts of this group and was highly entertained by NW_Pilot's carburetor icing thread. My guess is that all of the high time pilots have at least one "big scare story" they might share... How about it, what was your scariest moment? Dallas

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/10/AR2005121001562.html -- M. Lattoni Calgary, Canada Skype: marc_lattoni Phone: 403.238.3731

Coming back from KCOS to 00V today several aircraft were in the pattern for runway 33 and some people wanted runway 15 since the winds were at the changeover point. With one or two at the runup area for runway 15 I just went east until the fiasco was sorted out (I made several position reports...

More great press for GA airport security. ////////// Two 14-year-old boys from Big Bear are doing OK tonight. Police say they suffered minor injuries after stealing an airplane from the Big Bear Airport and crash-landing it in Joshua Tree National Park last night. The boys' apparent joy-ride...

I can't vouch for the authenticity of this story. I was talking with an acquaintence I don't see often and he asked me: "You're a pilot aren't you?" I told him I was, that I'd gotten my PPL last August. He then launched into this story he'd heard from a relative who worked at the Udvar Hazy...

I tried to go to the AOPA Flight Planning web page today, and found that the only option remaining is to download a Microsoft-only application. This seems annoying. Sure, I was able to go directly to the duat web site, and it was fine. But I'm a member of AOPA, and they've eliminated a benefit...

Years ago I was leaving Purdue http://www.airnav.com/airport/LAF before the tower opened. (I think I was headed to Hamfest with some friends. I don't usually get airborne that early.) As I taxied to runway 5 I heard the local turboprop commuter (Mesaba, I think) call a taxi to runway 10. I was...