By PETER M. BOWERS. Aeronautical engineer and manufacturer Grover C. Loening came up with a novel idea for a military amphibian in 1923. Using the same engine, his amphib could outperform the standard two-seat observation planes that the U.S. Army and Navy were using. There had been plenty of previous amphibians, but they were clumsy […]
Opinion
Make plans now for fly-in season
As I write this, Seattle is in the midst of a record-breaking rain spell. It has rained for 28 days straight. The record is 33 days. Some Pacific Northwest residents have a perverse desire to break that record. I’d just as soon see the sun again. The cold and gray weather is tedious. I think […]
Can you use synthetic oil in a piston engine?
QUESTION: I am in the process of building a Zodiac 601 XL and intend on using an 0-235 Lycoming engine. My question: Can you use the Amsoil synthetic engine oil in this, or any other piston aircraft engine, without any problems? Steve Dunn Elwood, Ind. ANSWER: Steve, congratulations on your Zodiac 601 project. It’s good […]
Pilots speak out against Washington ADIZ
WASHINGTON, D.C. — “”Don’t take a bad idea and make it permanent.”” — Phil Boyer, president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). “”This is an idiot’s game. All we are doing is punishing law-abiding citizens.”” — Jim Coyne, president, National Air Transportation Association (NATA). “”Do rules or little lines on a chart really […]
Survival came with a price
Your write-up on page 39 in the Dec. 16 issue (Endangered no more: Threatened airports survived 2005) could lead one to believe that all’s well that ends well. The Flying Y Airport in Livingston, Mont., did survive and that is good. Problem is that this came with a price. It took over $50,000 in legal fees out […]
Missing the point
I believe that JT Helms is missing the point that the medical standards for the Sport Pilot license are LESS than for the third class aviation medical just as the standards for third class are less than the second class (which is less than for a first class) (Could medical kill Sport Pilot? Dec. 2 […]
Sport Pilots committed to self-certification
I very much enjoy GANews. Keep up the good work! In your Dec. 2, 2005, issue, you published a letter, “Could medical kill Sport Pilot?” in response to Amelia T. Reiheld’s article titled, “Pilots still frustrated by Sport Pilot medical,” which appeared in the Oct. 21, 2005, issue. I would like to counter several points […]
That time of year
I’m not certain how it happened, but aviation-wise the first of the year has become a very busy time for us. This year, annuals, medicals and insurance renewals all fall in the first quarter, and this pilot/owner-operator is rather overwhelmed with paperwork, appointments and the need to juggle the household cash flow to meet all […]
Amen!
Regarding your editorial on fraidy cats in the January issue (Climate change: Fraidy cats in the home of the brave): AMEN! AMEN! AMEN! I wish I had written it! Michael Brewer Birmingham