A few months ago there was a discussion here about positioning on the runway at an angle to better see traffic from the rear while awaiting takeoff clearance, and I opined in the face of dissent by Steven McNicoll that it was a good idea. I had a chance to fly a 172 while I was out west and was...

The FAA sent inspectors to check on a plane that towed a taunting banner and claimed it had a seatbelt issue, grounding it: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100409/ap_on_sp_go_ne/glf_masters_banner_plane I'm glad to see that the FAA doesn't abuse their police powers when asked by the rich and...

On air conversation about JFK controller - Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKrffnq4V1A I wanted to go to a new airport. While on KJAN approach frequency, discussion ensued about the recent incident at JFK. It wouldn't surprise me that the feelings the approach controller conveyed in...

I find it interesting that the only accident/incident reported at AirVenture 2007 is the P-51. So much for the NTSB not being influenced by politics. :-))

We had an incident a few days ago at my home airport with a couple in a Cessna 182 that never showed up after a local flight. It still hasn't been determined whether the flight ran into difficulty or where they went. The story was on the news last night and as we're watching the TV coverage, my...

Listening to http://audio.liveatc.net:8012/kjfk_app_final , I hear a lot of instructions from the tower to follow other traffic, but the pilots don't always know what aircraft they're following. It sounds like the tower expects them to be able to recognize an airplane (type, airline, etc.) from two...

And for some reason he's picked me for the honor of training him. But I'm a little confused on one thing. He claims to have a commercial-multi, limited to centerline thrust, and an ATP multi, unrestricted, with 737 and 757/767 type ratings. I wasn't aware that you could have both those...

What's the highest altitude that you ever saw a bird swoop past your plane? The other day I was flying at 5000' MSL, over land that was mostly about 1000' (so 4000' AGL) and saw a flock of birds, hawks of some sort I think, one of which came close enough to make me quite nervous (although from...

("Jim Burns" wrote) Wednesday afternoon and evening, after the airshow North 40 airplane parking/camping Jay & Mary Honeck's camping spot N56993 Entry is free but a 6 pack of good beer is appreciated. Stop by early if you want, we'll be there setting up and grilling. in message

Arrived at around 2200 last night IFR at our local field, and heard a pilot doing position reports on the CTAF. I spotted the traffic (night touch and goes), and also announced. As I established on final, she announced a full stop, and then proceeded to land and taxi the whole length of the mile...

Had some time to kill this afternoon, so I uploaded 18 (yep, EIGHTEEN) new aviation videos to our website. These have been sent to me by folks from all over the world. Everything from video of a new helicopter owner who tried to take 'er for a spin without the bother of flight lessons (oops!), to...

I talked to someone who has seen a drawing of the new Cessna line of models. It will be high wing and it is planned to have four doors. Up to six seats should be possible. The cabin width will be 54". The interior will be more "automotive" style with G1000 avionics. It will be as fast as the...

Went to Mobile Downtown Airport this morning to fly my airplane out of harm's way, and ended up leaving it there. I saw the line guys putting the bizjets in their hangars and, with minimal begging and pleading, got them to stuff '87D in there with the Citations and Lears. The building is supposed...

Well, our upcoming trip to Dulles has been expanded. Weather permitting, we'll be leaving this coming Wednesday, heading up to Door County, WI, spending the night there, and proceeding up to Mackinac Island on Thursday for brunch. From there we ill be heading direct to the Washington, D.C. area,...

Hi all, I seem to remember a few years back there was a program run by one of the airlines where for a fee of around $1500 or so you would go and train for a weekend on a Boeing 737 and at the end you would actually get to fly one for half an hour or so. Does anyone know if that program still...

From the Aero-News Propwash newsletter this morning: AOPA Lobbies Congress For Cell Phones In GA Cockpits Aviation Advocacy Group Says The Time Is Now General aviation pilots should be able to use cell phones in the cockpit while they're airborne. And they should be able to do it now. That's what...

I've lived in this country for many years, paid my taxes, been a schoolteacher and a Scout leader, and now this: http://dms.dot.gov/search/searchResultsSimple.cfm?numberValue=19147&searchType=docket. The restrictions recently placed on 12500 training is being extended to all aircraft. TSA claims...

For those of you who were following the posts about the model B52 a few months back- http://www.stukastudios.se/b52.htm

I will be flying down to the NASCAR race in Atlanta on March 14th. For those of you who have flown out of races, it is a pain in the butt to get an IFR clearance and get out of the airport quickly. By far, the best way is to take off VFR and try to file and get a clearance in the air. The...

I posted a message awhile back about one of my relatives offering me free flight instruction. He's a very experienced airline pilot and has done a lot of CFI work in the past. He's still current on his CFI rating, and the plan is to begin training in June (when I have more money and he has more...