Features

Returning to Republic Airport in Farmingdale, N.Y., on New Year’s Day, I heard the following exchange between the tower controller and the pilot of a Piper Arrow: Arrow: “Republic tower, Arrow Three Four Five, eight miles north, inbound with India.” Tower: “Arrow Three Four Five, report right downwind Runway 32.” Arrow: “Any chance we can […]

Brisk sales, new airplanes, no hurricanes — despite troubles in the towers, some tragic flights, and worries about the future, overall a pretty good year for general aviation. Here’s our year-end review of the news. Editor’s Note: All the links in this story take you to full stories AVweb provided throughout the year. Eclipse — […]

This Week’s Question |Last Week’s Results PREVIOUS RESULTS *** Last week, AVweb asked what type of IFR approach charts our readers prefer to have with them en route. Nearly half of those who responded (47%, to be exact) said they prefer to use the FAA’s NACO paper charts, while only 3% lean toward the FAA’s […]

It’s A Jungle Down There Mr. Deakin is too kind (Pelican’s Perch, Dec. 10).My comments regarding the Latin American ATC system during the ’70s would be unprintable. I filed instruments only when I absolutely had to because the system was so corrupt and inadequate it scared the bejesus out of me. There were a lot […]

Twas the night before Christmas, and out on the ramp,Not an airplane was stirring, not even a Champ.The aircraft were fastened to tiedowns with care,In hopes that come morning, they all would be there.The fuel trucks were nestled, all snug in their spots,With gusts from two-forty at 39 knots.I slumped at the fuel desk, now […]

This Week’s Question |Last Week’s Results PREVIOUS RESULTS *** Last week, AVweb asked readers how they typically pay for their aviation fuel purchases. To no one’s surprise, credit cards are by far the most popular method of payment, accounting for over 90% of the fuel purchases made by those who responded to our question – […]

If you snuggle down deep, a La-Z-Boy recliner can actually begin to feel warm. This is especially true if you cover yourself with an unfolded newspaper as you try and snooze in a cold pilot lounge. We were trying to out-wait a mid-December snowstorm and I was trying, in vain, to nap the time away.It […]

We were flying from Chatham, Massachusetts to Nantucket with flight following from Cape approach. The weather was marginal VFR with heavy haze and reasonably poor visibility when out of the mist we heard this on the air: Cape approach: “Cessna Four Five Six, are you aware that you are heading toward a restricted area?” Cessna: […]

This Week’s Question |Last Week’s Results PREVIOUS RESULTS *** Last week, AVweb asked readers how their local government officials(as a rule) view the community airport. Happily, most of our respondents told us that their representativeshave either a very positive or somewhat positive view ofthe local airport. (48% of reader responses fell into one of thosetwo […]

No New Technician Ratings Your headline in today’s edition, “New Aircraft Technician Ratings Proposed” is incorrect (AVwebFlash, Dec. 4). The NPRM is proposing a revision to repair station ratings under FAR Part 145, not to technician ratings under FAR Part 65.Robert Holdridge James Bond’s Airstrip Regarding the air strip in Courchevel, France (Video of the […]