Whenever I tell a group of pilots that I also fly helicopters, there’s always one guy in the group who says he can’t stand them. “I hate those things,” he’ll spew. “They’re unpredictable when they’re flying in the pattern. You never know which way they’re going to fly.” Helicopter pilots learn early in their training […]
Opinion
Beware bumper sticker politics
My wife and I were having a perfectly lovely time. We were situated in a corner booth at Egg Haven, one of my home town’s more popular eateries, as our waitress whirled through the room with an energy level that seemed impossibly high for a Sunday morning. We were engaged in an activity long time […]
Quicksilver closing factory, but…
Aviation news outlets and social media are buzzing with the news that Quicksilver Aeronautics is closing its factory. For example, one online news source is calling the event a “dissolution.” This is not incorrect as it comes directly from a document previously issued by Quicksilver’s lawyers (see more below). However, letters from lawyers often portray things in very […]
Better than a sharp stick in the eye
Whatever you might think about how your airport operates, or how the local FBO sets its rates, or if it’s time to build a tower at your field or remained non-towered, eventually you’re going to disagree with the folks in charge. Alternatively, if you are one of the folks in charge, you’re going to disagree with […]
Have an opinion? Of course you do. You’re a pilot
The wide range of opinions in the aviation community is something I continuously marvel at. Take our continuing coverage on the update of the Pilot’s Bill of Rights 2 legislation. The comments vary widely, both in scope and tone. “After patiently waiting these last few years to hear what the people we trusted have come up […]
Get mission oriented
Regardless of the endeavor, success comes as a result of focus, determination, and persistence. Admittedly, that’s not exactly a revolutionary idea. The steps required to facilitate those points are somewhat more mysterious, however. Many an entrepreneur has failed even though their idea, product, or the service they intended to deliver was well suited to the […]
Four LSA under $96,000
Yet if you think $65,000-95,000 is still too much, I can identify several aircraft that sell brand-new, ready-to-fly for less than $49,000, but that will be an article for another time …
Withdrawing from the luck bucket
By IVY McIVER. “I’m OK! Are you OK?” As I hung upside down, shoulder harnesses digging into my collarbones, I tried to make sense of the broken glass, bent metal and wet sand that surrounded me. Just 60 seconds prior, I had been rolling down a beautiful grass strip in the Cascades. I watched the […]
The evolution of Flight Service
By JEB BURNSIDE. Even though little remains of the FAA’s Flight Service function, some of us still remember the old-fashioned ways. Up front, I’ll admit I’m old school, but only to an extent. I prefer steam to glass, and a stick to an automatic transmission, for example, but I’d rather use metric than SAE. Go […]