While sitting at my desk last week, passing the time of day in a genial manner with one of the local CFIs, I noticed Rick Matthews wandering by my door. Being in a particularly social mood, I called him into... Continue Reading →
A little alliance goes a long way
Posted on March 10th, 2013 by Jamie Beckett
It started with a conversation, which lead to a thought, which resulted in a plan. In no time at all that process caused an email to be drafted and sent to approximately a dozen hopefully receptive recipients. That was the... Continue Reading →
Coming of age
Posted on March 7th, 2013 by Jamie Beckett
General Aviation is dead. If it’s not dead, it’s dying. If it’s not dying, it’s paralyzed with a sickness that manifests itself in the form of high prices, lousy service, ancient participants, and a generalized sense of ennui among the... Continue Reading →
Is it time to re-think TFRs?
Posted on February 26th, 2013 by Jamie Beckett
“A TFR is a regulatory action issued via the U.S. Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) system to restrict certain aircraft from operating within a defined area, on a temporary basis, to protect persons or property in the air or on the... Continue Reading →
A newbie’s plans for joining the club
Posted on February 6th, 2013 by Jamie Beckett
Regular readers of this blog know I make no secret of my affection for flying clubs. My devotion to the concept is based on the wealth of opportunity these clubs can offer. In a nutshell, my thinking goes like this:... Continue Reading →
Building a better yardstick
Posted on January 30th, 2013 by Jamie Beckett
Periodically, I, like all pilots, am asked to divulge how many hours I’ve logged. How much of that total is single engine and how much is multi engine? I’m asked to break out the land plane time from the seaplane... Continue Reading →
It’s a people thing…
Posted on January 21st, 2013 by Jamie Beckett
It’s long been my contention that people are the magnet that makes airshows and aviation gatherings worth attending — not the aircraft themselves. Admittedly, I am in the minority with that opinion, but the idea seems to be re-enforced for... Continue Reading →
Is this an airport?
Posted on January 14th, 2013 by Jamie Beckett
According to the US Department of Transportation, the US and its territories have more than 19,000 airport, heliports, seaplane bases, and other landing facilities. That’s a lot of aviation. Or at least it’s a lot of potential aviation. Continue Reading →
Respect for the seldom celebrated man
Posted on January 9th, 2013 by Jamie Beckett
The odds are good you’ve never heard of Lon Cooper. There’s no reason you would have, really. But you should have. We all should have. At least we should have if life is fair, which it is not. Continue Reading →
To the Expo we will go
Posted on January 3rd, 2013 by Jamie Beckett
Two weeks from now the US Sport Aviation Expo will be kicking off in Sebring, Florida. Unlike most aviation gatherings, the Expo is not a traditional airshow or fly-in. Continue Reading →
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