Features

AFSS Consolidation Just got back from flying this afternoon and I’m convinced that Lockheed-Martin (LM) has screwed up the FSS consolidation (Question of the Week, May 3).My [airplane] just got out of annual so I left work a little early to do my own test flight out of Manassas, Va., (in the ADIZ). I called […]

Last week we had a little celebration in the Pilot’s Lounge at the virtual airport. One of the students passed his Private Pilot checkride, so the flight school put out soft drinks and snacks. It’s something the flight school does when someone completes a rating. I like it. I think it goes a long way […]

Overheard in IFR Magazine‘s “On the Air” I was flying a Cirrus SR22, introducing the plane to a CFI interested in seeing it in action. We were still about 20 miles out, but the controller was working us into the sequence with other planes, mostly trainers, setting up for practice approaches: Seattle Approach: Cirrus Seven […]

This Week’s Question |Previous Week’s Answers PREVIOUS RESULTS *** Last week, we asked how many AVweb readers are planning to make the pilgrimage to Oshkosh this summer for EAA AirVenture.  We were pleased to see that 52% of those who answered our survey will be at the show.  (Stop by the booth and say hi, […]

On one of the mail lists I frequent, a newcomer wondered why people bothered to look outside on takeoff, and stated that he was deliberately “eyes inside,” focused on the instruments from liftoff to 1,000 AGL.Well!He got well and truly (but nicely) roasted, and a very lively discussion followed. In trying to quantify things, the […]

Overheard in IFR Magazine‘s “On the Air” There is an approach into San Francisco (KSFO) known as the Quiet Bridge Visual. During this approach, commercial operators fly to the bridge and match up with another aircraft for the parallel runway. NorCal Approach: United Four Five Three, report traffic 10 oclock one mile, a Skywest Brasilia […]

This Week’s Question |Previous Week’s Answers PREVIOUS RESULTS *** Last week, we asked AVweb readers if they’ve noticed any change (good or bad) in the quality of weather briefings since Lockheed Martin’s consolidation of AFSS services has gained traction. A definite majority of those who participated in our poll (59%) said briefings have gotten worse […]

Doctors in Bonanzas Will we never hear the last of the Doctors/Bonanzas myth (Short Final, Apr. 29)?When the FAA finally set about testing the Bonanza more thoroughly, they found that the v-tails were prone to structural damage. Essentially, the tails had been failing due to high-speed twisting forces through a fault in the basic design. […]

The company had issued a call, asking that employees bring in ancient artifacts of an airline gone by — ours. The company’s museum was expanding. Now that we were almost out of bankruptcy it was time to start spending money irresponsibly again before we forgot how.The museum is a wonderful place, situated in a corner […]

Overheard in IFR Magazine‘s “On the Air” Overheard while flying through Boston Approach’s airspace one Sunday evening: Boston Approach: Piper Four Five Mike, are you a single or twin? Piper 45M: I am a single with twin envy. Boston: Say again? Piper 45M (slightly wistfulsounding): Piper Four Five Mike is a single-engine piston.