Features

Years ago, when there were flight service stations: TriPacer 3438A:“Chicago area radio, this is TriPacer 3438A requesting a practice DF steer to Joliet.” Chicago:“38A, we are very busy now and unable a to provide a practice steer. We can only respond to a lost aircraft.” [pregnant pause] TriPacer 3438A:“O.K. 38A will take one of those.” […]

This Week’s Question |Previous Week’s Answers PREVIOUS RESULTS *** Last week, we asked AVweb readers for their opinion on through-the-fence agreements. Just over half of those who took a moment to answer said such arrangements enhance airport security and should be allowed everywhere. At the other end of the spectrum, only a handful of you […]

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 few years ago, I was routinely flying my Bonanza from Houston Hobby to Austin. The trip was normally very predictable, including the knowledge that radio traffic, when handed over to Austin Approach, was extremely busy and communications needed to be very efficient. On one trip, the Approach controller changed those rules and added some […]

This Week’s Question |Previous Week’s Answers PREVIOUS RESULTS *** Last week, we asked AVweb readers how much flying they did in 2009. Answers varied, but the largest single group of respondents (32% of you) said you flew about the same as in previous years. Coming as a pleasant surprise, the second largest group (23%) said […]

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 […]

Heard over northern Florida last night: Jacksonville Center:“Airliner XYZ: Turn left, heading 320.” Airliner XYZ:“Is that a 320 heading for Airliner XYZ?” Jacksonville Center:“No, that should be, ‘Turn left, heading 230’ for Airliner XYZ. Sorry about that. Five out of four controllers are dyslexic.” Airliner XYZ:“No problem. Five out of three pilots, same thing. Airliner […]

This Week’s Question |Previous Week’s Answers PREVIOUS RESULTS *** Last week, the TSA dropped some hefty fines against thee airlines involved in a notorious ramp delay. We asked AVweb readers what they thought of the fines. The clear majority of you (53% of those who took a moment to respond) said it’s about time airlines […]

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 […]

This is a nice one from a few years back. I know the captain of the aircraft, so I’m sure it’s authentic. A South African Airways B747 just off LHR had a problem and said they were returning and would need to dump fuel for landing. London Departure:“You are approaching Windsor Castle, and the Queen […]