Astronaut Chris Hadfield has logged nearly 4,000 hours in space. A recent 144 days stint as commander of the International Space Station (ISS) saw him post hundreds of spectacular images to Twitter (@Cmdr_Hadfield) which earned him more than 1 million followers. In addition to still images, Hadfield interacted with students from the ISS on subjects […]
Blog: ‘A Starship in the Wild’ conjures up wonderful memory
Ron Rapp is a pilot and blogger. His blog is called The House of Rapp and his Jan. 20 post, A Starship in the Wild ,conjured up a wonderful memory. While in line to depart Vail, Colorado’s Aspen Eagle Airport, Ron saw a Beechcraft Starship. Not many were built, and far fewer are flying still today. To […]
Podcast: Around the pattern with SimpleFlight.net
The pilots behind SimpleFlight.net (Al Waterloo and Marc Epner) host a weekly (Sunday) podcast. I joined Al and Marc on Jan. 12 and discussed the publishing aspect of the aviation industry for 30 or so minutes. Via the magic of the internet, you can listen at your leisure.
Weather Flying
In the fifth edition of “Weather Flying,” often regarded as the bible of weather flying, Robert O. Buck (son of the book’s original author) delves into how “computers, personal electronic devices, electronic flight instrument systems, and other technologies are changing the way general aviation pilots fly weather.” Buck maintains an easy-to-read style that makes complex […]
VIDEO: Tie down your airplane
A short video showing the importance of tying down your airplane. http://youtu.be/pqGhO49xF0Y
Aviation tax reform…indeed
Jeff Smisek is the CEO of United Airlines. His CEO Letter in the November issue of Hemispheres Magazine was titled, “Aviation Tax Reform,” which caught my eye. “The taxation system across transportation modes is broken, and airlines and our customers are paying the price for this irrational structure,” laments Mr. Smisek. The government imposes “17 […]
Gleim releases new exam guide
The familiar red cover remains, but after listening to customer suggestions the new “Private PTS and Oral Exam Guide” from Gleim Publications is the result. The books begins with the Practical Test Standards (PTS), which include darkened page edges for quick searching. Following 38 pages of PTS material is a handy Aircraft Information Page. The […]
‘Cubs to Bonanzas’ shares a 65-year perspective from a pilot’s eyes
Many a pilot ponders penning their life in the cockpit. Few meet that goal. Dr. Richard A. Komm learned to fly in Piper Cubs in 1947 in St. Louis, Missouri. Today, the flying octogenarian owns and pilots a B-35 Bonanza. The journey between humble beginning and today is the subject of his new book, “Cubs […]
Video: Your landing gear doesn’t extend…
A post maintenance flight in a Cessna 210 results in a gear up landing. This YouTube video shows a remarkable landing using only the tail and an extended nose gear. I don’t think it could have gone better.