We have covered a lot of ground on the fueling of airplanes lately, but you can imagine our surprise when we heard a new risk to fueling aircraft. That risk allegedly comes from that ubiquitous communication device of the 90's, the cell phone. It seems that someone wants us to think that these little boxes, designed to allow us to communicate between each other whenever we want to, from wherever we happen to be, can really put some excitement into fueling your aircraft or any other vehicle.
Summer School
I spent last week with 40 minority students who will be high school juniors and seniors in the coming academic year. I had applied for a grant to lead a workshop that would introduce these students to college life and careers in aviation. Later I received word that I had been selected and was awarded $50,000. It didn't take long to spend the money...
Trivia Testers : Stubby
What propeller-driven aircraft had a fuselage that was nearly as tall as it was long?
Always Wanted To Fly, But Can’t Afford It?
I always was interested in flying. From the early days of my childhood, I'd watch on TV shows like Flash Gordon and Buck Rodgers (the original series; in re-runs - I'm not that old!). I'd also watch shows like the Thunderbirds and Fireball XL5 (those marionettes of the future) or war movies like 12 O'Clock High or Wings of Eagles.
Tempting Fate
Anyone who has ever caught themselves flying while getting uncomfortably close to the big "E" will appreciate the following irony, and its potential lesson: Just when you think you've got the advantage, when you're holding all the cards, one could turn out to be a Joker.
Flying And The All-Star Game: Don’t Get “STMP’d”
Your plans are all set -- with some excitement, you will be flying up to the All-Star Game, to be held in Chicago this year. Your plane is fueled, your hotel reservations are made, your flight plans are made, and you even bought the charts you need. Everything is all set for your trip, which is scheduled to start on July 12th to allow you to get in and find your hotel and spend some time in the City of Chicago before the big game starts.
Trivia Testers : Too Much of a Good Thing
When traveling at the speed of sound at sea level (assuming we use a "standard" atmosphere at 15 degrees C), the dynamic pressure (the same pressure sensed by a pitot tube) is very roughly equivalent to...
Ramp Check Etiquette
Ramp checks, I am told, are just another way the Federal Aviation Administration enforces safety. It is not, however, something that inspectors do to make new friends. It is not the worst thing that can happen to you as you go forward in flight across our beautiful land but if you fly far enough and long enough, you will likely encounter one. When that day comes, this ramp check survival guide may help make the experience an ... enjoyable ... one.
Lightning Strike in Flight
Here's a story you don't hear very often. It is a tale of a hard IFR flight, and a chance encounter with a thunderstorm in a twin engine Cessna 421. The results of the encounter would challenge any pilot, and in most cases, would have cost a lot more...
Flight Training — 61 or 141 — What’s Right For You?
As far as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is concerned, there are only two ways for a civilian to learn to fly... either the school you use is FAA approved, or it is not.