[sc:Top-of-Post ] Those dang centerlines: pilot proficiency one landing at a time One of the things that I have to constantly remind myself to do is stay on centerline during landing (and takeoff). Seems like a simple thing. In fact, in my vocation its a requirement, especially on checkrides. From my training days, my old…
[sc:Top-of-Post ] I recently had an opportunity to try what is now my favorite aviation weather app – Takeoff – Aviation Weather I have like five weather apps on my iphone and ipad, but none of them were really optimized for what I wanted to see as a pilot. The beauty behind this app is…
[sc:Top-of-Post ] One of our fellow airmen, Dennis, sent me this video and I couldn’t resist sharing it with all of your fine fliers out there in the cyber-universe. First, when it comes to modern air transportation systems. There have been lots of concepts batted around and NASA’s PAV (Personal Air Vehicle) Challenge has brought some…
[sc:Top-of-Post ] NTSB Safety Alerts: General aviation is on the radar and not in a good way! You might have noticed that the NTSB sent out five Safety Alerts last week in response to general aviation safety. Here are NTSB Chairman Debra Hersman’s opening remarks to the Board regarding the issue at hand, “While there…
[sc:Top-of-Post ] It is rare that I recycle stories in the blog, but I wanted to share this great little piece written by Kelly Yamanouchi of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Especially with the ‘iffy’ press airline pilots have gotten after the movie Flight starting Denzel Washington. I could only wish to have such an illustrious career…
[sc:Top-of-Post ] I Love Biplanes! One of the most existential things you can do as an aviator is fly a biplane, especially an open cockpit variety. Having been lucky enough to have been a steward to one of these sentient vehicles in my youth, I can say I have tasted it’s nectar first hand. There…
[sc:Top-of-Post ] Don’t wait on your dreams! Recently I got a disturbing call from a good friend of mine. He was diagnosed with a disease that will forever clip his wings. This is a life-long aviator in his late 40s. This really punctuates the need to not wait on your dreams. My friend has had…
[sc:Top-of-Post ] I have never really had any interest in the Clippers, although they were a big part of aviation’s coming of age. I just skipped over that era of aviation history, but I was aware of the art deco posters that romanticized the big flying boats and their exotic ports of call. Recently, someone sent…
[sc:Top-of-Post ] Today marks the sixth month anniversary of this fine aviation blog. Here’s some fun facts: There have been over 40,324 page views, 198 posts, 200+ comments, and 196 subscribers since I began the blog last September (2012). Hey, if you aren’t a subscriber, press here to get signed up. All along the goal…
[sc:Top-of-Post ] I hate to disclose this embarrassing nugget of information, but the confession might cleanse my soul – ok maybe not. Some background first. If you frequent the blog you’ll know that I fly an RV-8. I love all sorts of airplanes; I am no RV snob, but I gravitated to the Vans designs…