The Air Transport Association (ATA), the trade association that represents the airlines, began running television advertisements in airports around the country, late in May. The ad deceptively attempts to mislead viewers into believing that commercial, passenger aircraft are backed up on runways because of congestion caused by small aircraft, that small aircraft somehow get preferential […]
Opinion
COME VISIT ANYTIME
On behalf of the Board of Trustees for the Frank Phillips Foundation, the employees of Woolaroc and the thousands of guests and members of Woolaroc, I want to thank you for the wonderful article that you wrote in the April 20 issue about “Woolaroc” the airplane and Woolaroc the place (Woolaroc Museum and Ranch: The […]
LITTLE DIPPER
In reading the article on the Air Trooper in the March 23 issue of General Aviation News (The Littlest Warbird: Flying the Air Trooper), reference was made to the single-place airplane designed by John Thorp for Lockheed Aircraft during the Second World War. At the time Lockheed was still naming airplanes after celestial bodies and […]
What is the greatest airplane?
First, you have to define “”greatest;”” that is, the greatest airplane in what respect? Bomber, fighter, transport, general aviation or the greatest fun to fly? The greatest bomber has got to be the Boeing B-52. It’s been our first-line bomber for nearly 60 years and, with modifications and upgrades, it’s expected to be around for […]
SHAME ON YOU
Shame on you, Senator Maria Cantwell, for supporting FAA user fees. The last thing the general aviation industry needs is for Congress to allow airlines to dictate the funding of FAA operations. I hope you will correct your misguided decision if this bill ever comes to the floor. DAVID STAHL Gig Harbor, Wash.
WHY NO NATIONAL HOLIDAY TO HONOR CHARLES LINDBERGH?
I was a 4-year-old in 1927 when the greatest man of my generation, Charles Lindbergh, flew across the Atlantic Ocean from New York to Paris. On May 20 and 21, we celebrated the 80th anniversary of that historic flight. No one person has ever achieved a greater accolade from Europe or America than this man […]
THE BATTLE IS ON
The battle over FAA funding and its proposed user fees is now heating up on Capitol Hill. That’s why I’m asking all GA pilots to stay informed and ready to be heard in the halls of Congress. And make no mistake, GA pilots are being heard in Washington loud and clear. So far we have […]
What is normal oil consumption?
I have a 2005 Robinson R-44 Clipper II that I purchased new. The engine is a 540 injected Lycoming. I broke the engine in on mineral oil as suggested and changed to ashless oil after the initial 50 hours of break in. The ship has used about 1 quart of oil per every four hours […]
Full leather jacket: it’s much more than a fashion statement
“Why are you wearing that thing?” “That thing” is my leather A-2 flight jacket, the one with all the patches. I wear it all the time, including at Sun ‘n Fun in Florida in April. I have a weakness for flight jackets. When I decided I was going to learn to fly, one of the […]

