Features

In a scene sadly reminiscent of several South Florida airports in the wake of Hurricane Andrew a decade ago, Charlotte Countys Punta Gorda Airport bore the early wrath of Charley as he came ashore just north of Fort Meyers late Friday afternoon. Radar data indicated that Charleys compact eye tracked northeasterward up Charlotte Harbor directly […]

It was a dark and stormy night. (I always wanted to start a story like that!) Hurricane Charley hit Winter Haven with its full force at about 7:30 on the evening of Friday the 13th. It was packing winds well over 100 mph (the nearest reporting anemometer blew away after recording 106) and damage was […]

A lot of folks have been saying that the training system is broken. It is and it has been for several years. The advent of technically advanced aircraft has just made that breakdown more apparent. Now, with the coming of the very light jets (VLJ) there is much hand-wringing about “amateurs” in the flight levels. […]

Where is “Southern Canada”? In reference to the Canadian ballooning accident reported this in this week’s AVweb (NewsWire, Aug. 9) …Being as Canada is just about exactly the same width as the U.S. (“Sea to Shining Sea” about covers it), would American readers accept a news story that said a balloon accident occurred this week […]

On Friday and Saturday, Hurricane Charley hit the Florida coastline hard and fast. Despite being without power, contributing writer Tim Kern sent these photos. Click Any Image for a High-Resolution PhotoEach high-res image opens in a new window for easy browsing. Photos of the Punta Gorda Air Terminal

On Friday and Saturday, Hurricane Charley struck the Punta Gorda Terminal in Florida hard and fast. AVweb staffers were on hand to capture the devastation. Click Any Image for a High-Resolution PhotoEach high-res image opens in a new window for easy browsing. Aircraft Depot, a local maintenance shop, lost both hangar doors, and aircraft inside […]

*** PREVIOUS RESULTS *** Last week, we asked how AVweb readers feel about new high-tech instrument panels. By and large, you’re ready for ’em! 42% of our respondents think it’s about time for more comprehensive and reliable instrumentation in the cockpit. Another 33% of you said you were unintimidated by the new panels, answering “what […]

AirVenture Cup Race Correction Correction to your article about the AirVenture Cup Race (NewsWire, Jul. 28). Please note that all the speeds are knots, not mph. Someone in the race staff messed up, and there was confusion about it all week.Sam HoskinsRace #22, 1st Place, Sprint Class Oshkosh Pictures I have long wanted to attend […]

Old Hack, our resident curmudgeon, caught me in the Pilot’s Lounge, here at the virtual airport, the other morning. He plopped down in one of the big, old, worn recliners, scowled at me and said, “Hey, I’m the one who’s supposed to look pissed off at the world. If you look more angry at things […]

Overheard by passenger on United flight SNA to ORD… Fedex ###: Fedex ### with you at FL230. Kansas City Area Control: Fedex ###, roger. How long to climb to FL310? Fedex ###: Roger, just a minute… (brief silence) Unknown 1: I gotta get me one o’ whatever he’s flyin’. Unknown 2: …must be outta Cape […]