Features

Many years ago, I had just landed at Cairns in Far North Queensland, when an incoming DC-9 called over the radio: DC-9:“Cairns Tower, TN 123. Request a wheelchair to meet the flight on arrival. It’s the Captain’s last landing.” Tower responded appropriately. I thought this was too good to miss, so I stayed on the […]

This Week’s Question |Previous Week’s Answers PREVIOUS RESULTS *** Last week, we asked AVweb readers to peer into their crystal balls and enlighten us as to the future of electric airplanes. The results? Not many AVweb are hopeful futurists who believe the day of combustion engines is drawing to a close – although 4% of […]

At the Charlottetown (CYYG) airport last summer, while doing my run-up in my 172, an air Canada flight had just finished copping their clearance when they saw an osprey fly by with a large flounder in its talons. They contacted the tower: Dash-8:“Charlottetown Tower, Air Canada 123.” Charlottetown Tower:“Go ahead.” Dash-8:“There’s an osprey that just […]

Here at the virtual airport, a number of the regulars in the Pilot’s Lounge fly charter under Part 135 of the regs. Having done so as well, I greatly enjoy spending time with charter pilots and listening to them tell of some of the more, ah, interesting trips they have. As I listen, I find […]

This Week’s Question |Previous Week’s Answers PREVIOUS RESULTS *** Last week, we asked AVweb readers if they would still recommend a job in the airline industry to young people shopping around for a career. As it turns out, the airlines have lost a bit of their luster – at least in the eyes of our […]

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 […]

I was on Salt Lake Center frequency at FL380 when ATC told us to do something odd: Salt Lake Center:“Piaggio 123 [this is not our call sign or flight number], turn right, heading 3-7-0; maintain FL 380.” Me:“Umm, say again for Piaggio 123?” Salt Lake Center:“Piaggio 123, turn right heading 3-7-0, maintain FL380.” Me:“Sir, my […]

This Week’s Question |Previous Week’s Answers PREVIOUS RESULTS *** Your answers to last week’s poll question left us with seriously long faces. We asked if flying has become too much of a hassle (what with the badges and the passenger manifests and the customs check horror stories), and an incredible 65% of those who took […]

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 […]

On a recent trip departing Oakland while taxiing over to 29 in my Eclipse Jet: Ground Control:What is your true airspeed at altitude? Me:370 knots. Ground Control:What kind of engines? Me:Pratt and Whitney 610 fan jet. Ground Control:How much thrust? Me:900 lbs. per side. Ground Control:[Silence.] Me:We’re part of their hair dryer division. John Wrightvia […]