Features

*** PREVIOUS RESULTS *** We received over 100 responses to our question last week on the pending FAA Reauthorization Bill. The vast majority (75 percent) of those responding felt the ongoing delays of this legislation are a result of the usual play of politics on Capitol Hill. Less than one-tenth (8 percent) mentioned the need […]

When Greg Herrick asked me 18 months ago to be one of the pilots for his five aircraft on the National Air Tour he was re-creating, I reacted like most every one else: “Sure I would!” To be perfectly honest, I thought there was no way in hell he could pull this off, so I […]

National Air Tour Received your much-read article this morning (Newswire, Sept. 18). The information on the National Air Tour is a little bit in error. You may want to check the route they are taking (it will be modified a little along the way due to weather).They left Wichita on Sunday morning for Tulsa, not […]

Back in the 70’s, BOAC (British Airways) flew into O’Hare Chicago and their call sign was “Speedbird”… O’Hare: Speedbird xxx slow to 200 kts. Speedbird xxx: Sorry, running late, need to keep the speed up. O’Hare: Ok, turn right 90 degrees and keep your speed up. Speedbird xxx: Errr, how long would we be on […]

*** PREVIOUS RESULTS *** We received over 100 responses to our question last week on The Two-Year Anniversary of 9/11. When asked how has aviation recovered from the tragic events of September 11, 2001, 39 percent of those responding felt the airline dilemma was developing well before the attacks but 9/11 was truly devastating, and […]

I‘ve put it off long enough. We’re going to have to delve into this subject sooner or later. It might as well be now.Class, please pull out your copy of the Aeronautical Information Manual: Official Guide to Basic Flight Information and ATC Procedures. Open your book to Chapter 5: Air Traffic Procedures and turn to […]

No, not the windstorm after which it is named, but the Hawker Hurricane, the airplane credited with winning the Battle of Britain (although the Spitfire got more publicity). Most reports show the Hurricane with more kills than all other aircraft combined.As one British friend mournfully told me, “John, old boy, if you’re going to fly […]

Contract Towers Comparing “safety” at contract towers with FAA staffed towers is nigh onto impossible (Newswire, September 8). What is the unit of measure, metric? The OIG uses reported errors (systems errors and systems deviations) exclusively.And who is more likely to report that error/deviation: A manager who might be given two weeks notice by the […]

Boston Center: Citation XXX, Boston Center now on 123.75. Citation XXX: 127.35, have a nice day. Boston Center: Citation XXX, that frequency is 123.75. Citation XXX: Sorry, 123.75, we were dyslexic but were KO now.

*** PREVIOUS RESULTS *** We received over 100 responses to our question last week on Flying during the Labor Day holiday weekend. Nearly half (47 percent) of those responding did not fly during the holiday weekend, as money, time and other personal issues were to blame. ABout a quarter (25 percent) did fly out of […]