Features

Retirement parties, like funerals, get more plentiful as your life and career nears their respective ends. Much like funerals, these retirement fetes are sometimes the last opportunity to pay last respects to old friends.Leaving the airline almost always means literally leaving your flying friends. This is because a major airline’s flight crews are usually made […]

Such concern is touching… Overheard ata smallAustralian regional airport. Regional Carrier XYZ Tower, XYZ, we may be reporting a bird-strike on landing. We’re just backtracking the runway to check. Tower Theres a large bird lying on the runway, so were confirming that strike. Regional Carrier Roger, XYZ.Can you see any damage? Tower Dont know yet, […]

Lying to the FAA It’s interesting that the FAA would be so serious about lying on a medical application (NewsWire, Feb. 28). I do not justify or condone any form of dishonesty, and I do not object to liars being prosecuted. It’s strange, though, that when lawyers openly lie in court, it is not considered […]

As heard over the Palomar Tower Freq. back in 1981, from a female controller to a distinguished elder gentleman pilot (and friend)… Palomar Tower: Tiger Moth on the right downwind, say your intentions. Tiger Moth: Strictly honorable Ma’am, strictly honorable.

Cessna one two three four five, what’s your on-course heading?” How many times have you heard that little piece of phraseology lately? If you’ve flown out of a place where the controllers routinely assign you “Runway heading” (and who doesn’t), I bet you’ve heard it a lot. So what does the phraseology mean?Right now, dozens […]

Lycoming Lawsuit I agree with Anson Jones’ post about Lycoming and Continental (AVmail, Feb. 21). It’s about time for some new competition in the engine market. Let the likes of Honda and Toyota show these two GA giants how to make long-lasting, efficient engines at a price bearable to pilots. Who wants to spend $30K […]

Natural selection weeds out the weak and encourages proliferation of the strong. It works in nature but I’m not so sure it hasn’t been subverted elsewhere. Specifically, I’m talking about Franklin engines, a once-upon-a-time contender in general aviation that is, for the time being, out of business.The short version is this: United Technologies — Pratt […]

Somtimes they’re a little busy… Overheard inbound to EAA’s AirVenture, Oshkosh, 2003, where only the controllers on the ground speak and pilots respond by rocking their wings. Controller: Bell Helicopter, Fisk Approach. If you read, rock your wings. Controller: Right… OK, I guess you really don’t have any wings. Bell Helicopter, if you read, transmit. […]