Airport noise has been a problem for both residents and aircraft operators at airports around the country with high level of jet aircraft activity. The debate over airport noise – and how to eliminate or reduce it – has been the subject of considerable controversy pitting aircraft owners and operators against nearby residents. As a [...]
As general aviation in the United States slides further into apathy China has discovered how useful a network of general aviation facilities and general aviation aircraft are in developing commerce throughout this massive country. Among many of the changes taking place are moves by companies like the Cessna Aircraft Company to partner with state-owned aviation [...]
As a pilot watching a hawk in flight is something very interesting and informative. By taking the time to observe in nature how birds navigate and maneuver through the air we can all become more accomplished airmen and better pilots. Birds use their whole bodies to fly precisely where and how they want, providing us [...]
The Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron was ordered to be formed by the Chief of Naval Operations at the end of the Second World War by Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. The idea behind forming this flight demonstration squadron was to keep the general public enthused about aviation which would help attract prospective Navy pilots to [...]
The Lockheed SR-71 “Blackbird” is perhaps one of the most fascinating aircraft ever built, particularly considering its first flight took place in December of 1964 – long before most of us even knew the aircraft existed. As pilots we are always interested in aircraft, and in particular unique and interesting aircraft. More than that, we [...]
Talk about a patient company when it comes to development of a new jet aircraft! Michimasa Fujino, a spokesman for Honda, announced that Honda expects the HondaJet to capture fully 25% of the very light jet aircraft market. He compared the HondaJet to the entry of the Homda Civic years ago, and predicted a similar [...]
As a pilot you come across many interesting people during your career, and for me one of the most interesting I ever met is Maurice Hovious. I remember the first time I met Maurice over in Kalamazoo just after our company had purchased an early model Turbo Commander that used hydraulic pumps for pressurization. The [...]
Ever since I got serious about flying and got my Commercial Pilot’s license with Instrument Rating I have heard the lament that there is a “pilot shortage” coming. Many years have passed since that time as I continued to build experience, acquire an ATP pilot certificate and several type ratings. Let me tell you a [...]
When we think about a thunderstorm, one of the first things we think about is lightning. Researching this post I grabbed my Jeppesen Guided Flight Discovery Instrument Commercial textbook to see what Jeppesen has to say about a thunderstorm. This may not surprise you, but it did me – did you know that the tires [...]
Several airlines were still operating the Douglas DC-7 aircraft when I was learning to fly while attending Michigan State University. We always had to be careful to not taxi too close behind those 4 engine behemoths to avoid being blown over by the “prop wash”. Believe it or not, this was in the mid-60s while [...]