Features

Many years ago, as a USAF C-141A/B flight engineer, I was a crew member on a routine supply mission from McGuire Air Force Base (New Jersey) to Thule, Greenland. Oh-dark-thirty take-off. The AC (aircraft commander), Capt. Julie Sangiorgio — great pilot. We had just been handed off to Moncton Center, from Boston Center, I believe. […]

Growing up in New Jersey, I learned that when a stranger sitting on the bar stool beside you asks, “How ya doin?” the last thing the stranger wants to hear is how you’re doin’. Moving quickly past the obvious question — Why did I hang around bars as a kid? Because they had good bowling […]

Newly confirmed FAA Administrator Michael Huerta has a desk full of priorities. Which one should he tackle first? (click to answer) Last Week’s Question: Results Want to see the current breakdown of responses? Take a moment to answer the question yourself, and then you can view real-time results. What’s On Your Mind? Have an idea […]

The fresh bloom of interactive applications available on portable devices today is changing how pilots fly, but if SocialFlight.com has its way it may also be changing why you fly — and for all the right reasons. SocialFlight’s creators have lofty goals. They aim to improve your business connections, your social life, your flying life, […]

Between Houston and Austin on December 18, 2012, I overheard the following breif conversation between Houston Center and another aircraft: Aircraft:“Houston Center, can you give me a current altimeter setting?” Center:“At your altitude, it is 29.92.” Aircraft:“Uhhhh — yeah.” [A brief pause.] Aircraft:“Guess I will see that one in the back of IFR magazine next […]

The only death in the crash of an aircraft in the Canadian territory of Nunavut last week was a baby. Should it be mandatory that young children fly in approved seats? Should children be in car seats in airplanes? (click to answer) Last Week’s Question: Results Want to see the current breakdown of responses? Take […]

Each week, we run a sampling of the letters received to our editorial inbox here in AVmail. One letter that’s particularly relevant, informative, or otherwise compelling will headline this section as our “Letter of the Week,” and we’ll send the author an official AVweb baseball cap as a “thank you” for interacting with us (and […]

A double-dose of holiday merriment to celebrate the season. As a retired NWA/Rep/NCA pilot, I spent a lot of time in and out of ORD. One time, leaving the gate for departure, we heard ground control say to us: “Via the outer and over the bridge, to 32 rt you go.” Very melodic for the […]

The high cost of aviation has been a theme throughout the year, so let’s pretend someone in your circle has a $2,000 contribution to support your aviation habit but you can only spend it on one thing. What would it be? Where would you spend an aviation windfall? (click to answer) Last Week’s Question: Results […]

Certification functionality and bankruptcy issues, plus a fair does of malaise, plagued many early adopters of Eclipse jets, but there are 263 jets in the wild now reaching a combined 200,000 total flight hours — and the new Eclipse ownership experience has changed. The early Eclipse experience was a master class in “the pioneers get […]