Features

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 […]

I spent all day — it was a Monday — with my plane, poring over each system part and preflight check until I was satisfied the only tests left were those that must be answered in the air. It was late when I got home, and at least 1 a.m. before I finally made it […]

Despite the ongoing silliness of a Transportation Security Administration that continues to treat general aviation pilots as if they were criminals, it’s been a pretty good summer here at the virtual airport. People are learning to fly, a couple new pilots have purchased airplanes and hangared them here, and we’ve enjoyed the conversations that ensue […]

Contract Towers I’m puzzled why you would make a statement or accusation (funny as you may have intended) suggesting that the “10 times the normal participation rate” to the privatization survey was either a “technical problem or union participation,” (Question of the Week: August 20).I have been a professional pilot for 24 years — and […]