Here is a good picture that a friend took over the weekend.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Cool Things Out My Window
Yesterday we heard an unusual turbine sound pass by our hanger; we went outside a got to see a Fouga Magister taxi by. This is a two seat French Trainer built from 1950 until the late 1960’s. According to http://www.warbirdalley.com/ there are at least 40 currently registered to owner in the States.
Here is some more info from Warbird Alley.
Specifications (CM-170):
Engines: Two 882-pound thrust Turbomeca Marbore IIA turbojets
Weight: Empty 4,740 lbs., Max Takeoff 7,055 lbs.
Wing Span: 39ft. 10in. including tip tanks
Length: 33ft. 0in.
Height: 9ft. 2in.
Performance:
Maximum Speed: 444 mph
Ceiling: 36,090 ft.
Range: 575 miles
Armament (Optional):
Two 7.5-mm (0.295-inch) or 7.62-mm (0.3-inch) machine guns in nose, plus underwing hardpoints for rockets, bombs or Nord AS.11 missiles.
Number Built: 918
Friday, March 23, 2007
Barrington Irving's World Flight Adventure
Barrington Irving has taken off on his around the world flight. If he is successful he will be the youngest person and the first African American to fly solo around the world.
You can check out his progress on http://experienceaviation.org/default.asp.
When he was a teenager he met an American Airline pilot who took time to talk to him about aviation. Barrington was hooked and has gone on to do some great things to share his love for aviation with others. He founded a nonprofit organization called Experience Aviation to encourage youth to pursue a career in aviation.
You can check out his progress on http://experienceaviation.org/default.asp.
When he was a teenager he met an American Airline pilot who took time to talk to him about aviation. Barrington was hooked and has gone on to do some great things to share his love for aviation with others. He founded a nonprofit organization called Experience Aviation to encourage youth to pursue a career in aviation.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
FAA to Propose Pilot Retirement Age Change
The FAA is finally considering changing the age 60 rule for Part 121 operations, here is the press release from www.faa.gov.
Washington Headquarters Press Release
For Immediate Release
Release No. AOC 03-07January 30, 2007Contact: Alison Duquette Phone: (202) 267-3883
FAA to Propose Pilot Retirement Age Change
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Marion C. Blakey today announced that the FAA will propose to raise the mandatory retirement age for U.S. commercial pilots from 60 to 65. Speaking before pilots and aviation experts at the National Press Club, Blakey said that the agency plans to propose adopting the new International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standard that allows one pilot to be up to age 65 provided the other pilot is under age 60.
The FAA plans to issue a formal Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) later this year and will publish a final rule after careful consideration of all public comments, as required by law.
“A pilot’s experience counts — it’s an added margin of safety,” said Blakey. “Foreign airlines have demonstrated that experienced pilots in good health can fly beyond age 60 without compromising safety.”
On September 27, 2006, Administrator Blakey established a group of airline, labor and medical experts to recommend whether the United States should adopt the new ICAO standard and determine what actions would be necessary if the FAA were to change its rule. The Age 60 Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) did not reach a consensus recommendation but did provide detailed insight and analysis that will be helpful as the FAA develops a rule.
Since 1959, the FAA has required that all U.S. pilots stop flying commercial airplanes at age 60. In November 2006, ICAO, the United Nations’ aviation organization, increased the upper age limit for pilots to age 65, provided that the other pilot is under age 60.
The November 29, 2006 Age 60 ARC report, appendices, and public comments are available online at http://dms.dot.gov, docket number 26139
Washington Headquarters Press Release
For Immediate Release
Release No. AOC 03-07January 30, 2007Contact: Alison Duquette Phone: (202) 267-3883
FAA to Propose Pilot Retirement Age Change
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Marion C. Blakey today announced that the FAA will propose to raise the mandatory retirement age for U.S. commercial pilots from 60 to 65. Speaking before pilots and aviation experts at the National Press Club, Blakey said that the agency plans to propose adopting the new International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standard that allows one pilot to be up to age 65 provided the other pilot is under age 60.
The FAA plans to issue a formal Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) later this year and will publish a final rule after careful consideration of all public comments, as required by law.
“A pilot’s experience counts — it’s an added margin of safety,” said Blakey. “Foreign airlines have demonstrated that experienced pilots in good health can fly beyond age 60 without compromising safety.”
On September 27, 2006, Administrator Blakey established a group of airline, labor and medical experts to recommend whether the United States should adopt the new ICAO standard and determine what actions would be necessary if the FAA were to change its rule. The Age 60 Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) did not reach a consensus recommendation but did provide detailed insight and analysis that will be helpful as the FAA develops a rule.
Since 1959, the FAA has required that all U.S. pilots stop flying commercial airplanes at age 60. In November 2006, ICAO, the United Nations’ aviation organization, increased the upper age limit for pilots to age 65, provided that the other pilot is under age 60.
The November 29, 2006 Age 60 ARC report, appendices, and public comments are available online at http://dms.dot.gov, docket number 26139
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
NASCAR gets the Lead Out
It looks like General Aviation is going to be about the last group on earth to us leaded gasoline. The other big user of leaded gas, NASCAR, will begin using unleaded fuel at the end of February. Most piston airplanes use 100 octane low lead fuel commonly called 100LL or Avgas.
As less and less leaded gas is being produced the price should continue to rise. It seems that there will be a point when manufactures will not longer see it profitable to produce Avgas because of the small demand compared to other fuels. It seems now is the time to be looking for and testing alternatives to 100LL.
There is one group that has been testing an alternative fuel for some time now. They are developing an Aviation Grade Ethanol fuel. They have already flown a couple of thousand hours with out problems. Take a look at their website for more information, http://www.age85.org/index.htm.
The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) has been working on alternate fuels for years as well. Because of the work done by the EAA the Federal Aviation Administration has approved unleaded auto gas to be used in many different types of engines. You can see more information on this at http://www.aviationfuel.org.
This is a great start. However the major problem with both of these fuels alternatives is that you can not get them at most airports. Most people who use auto gas have to bring it to the airport themselves which is a big hassle. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for avgas and its alternatives.
As less and less leaded gas is being produced the price should continue to rise. It seems that there will be a point when manufactures will not longer see it profitable to produce Avgas because of the small demand compared to other fuels. It seems now is the time to be looking for and testing alternatives to 100LL.
There is one group that has been testing an alternative fuel for some time now. They are developing an Aviation Grade Ethanol fuel. They have already flown a couple of thousand hours with out problems. Take a look at their website for more information, http://www.age85.org/index.htm.
The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) has been working on alternate fuels for years as well. Because of the work done by the EAA the Federal Aviation Administration has approved unleaded auto gas to be used in many different types of engines. You can see more information on this at http://www.aviationfuel.org.
This is a great start. However the major problem with both of these fuels alternatives is that you can not get them at most airports. Most people who use auto gas have to bring it to the airport themselves which is a big hassle. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for avgas and its alternatives.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Pilot Publications
I recently watched a 10 DVD set from Pilot Publications. They have taken a lot of non copyrighted aviation videos that were put together by the FAA and AOPA and assembled them into a great set.
The presentation on the DVD’s is not the best quality because they have been taken from older formats. However, the information is great and for only $34 for almost nine hours of instruction is a great deal. There website is http://www.pilotpublications.com/.
They have several other items available for sell. Check them out!
The presentation on the DVD’s is not the best quality because they have been taken from older formats. However, the information is great and for only $34 for almost nine hours of instruction is a great deal. There website is http://www.pilotpublications.com/.
They have several other items available for sell. Check them out!
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Learn From Others
A good pilot is always learning. Mistakes are a great way to learn, but I like to learn from the mistakes of others when I can.
The National Transportation Safety Board has a wealth of information on other people’s mistakes. You can search more than 140,000 aviation accidents. You can search by date, location, aircraft type, registration number or any of a number of criteria.
Go to the NTSB website at http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/query.asp.
The National Transportation Safety Board has a wealth of information on other people’s mistakes. You can search more than 140,000 aviation accidents. You can search by date, location, aircraft type, registration number or any of a number of criteria.
Go to the NTSB website at http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/query.asp.
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Chicken Wings Aviation Cartoons
If you are looking for a laugh, take a look at http://www.chickenwingscomics.com/. They have some very funny and original aviation cartoons. Each Tuesday a new cartoon is published on their web site and you can also see them in Trade-A-Plane.
Chicken Wings also has a line of great aviation T-shirts and a book of their strips. You can see these items at http://www.pilotstore.com/store/item.asp?ITEM_ID=2110&DEPARTMENT_ID=.
Have fun out there!
Chicken Wings also has a line of great aviation T-shirts and a book of their strips. You can see these items at http://www.pilotstore.com/store/item.asp?ITEM_ID=2110&DEPARTMENT_ID=.
Have fun out there!
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