Features

EAA Flies Reality TV Show I assume that the EAA’s student pilot, Kyle, is male. This is unfortunate, in that if GA is to grow, organizations like the EAA have to capture the imagination of women. Females are vastly underrepresented in the ranks of GA, and if GA is going to grow it will only […]

This week, we would like to know your thoughts on arming airline pilots. For AVweb’s Question of the Week, click here. PREVIOUS RESULTS We received over 400 responses to our question last week on the Concorde’s pending retirement. A large group (35 percent) of those responding felt it was time to retire the supersonic airliner, […]

Guns in the Cockpit I am a Learjet and King Air pilot who is worried about the abilities for pilots to carry guns in the cockpit and have a secured door. The problem with this can be demonstrated in a hypothetical scenario.A 767 is on final approach to JFK. One of the pilots who has […]

The first terrorist attack on a national landmark after September 11, 2001, has occurred. Fortunately, no one was injured or killed, but the callousness of the act, perpetrated in the dark of night, by a ruthless, calculating, cold-blooded thug, was made more horrible by its far-reaching implications. The act, an assault on a place held […]

A friend of mine was cruising along in his turbo arrow at 18,000 feet one day when a 737 was called out to him at his 1 o’clock and 15 miles passing to his left. The 737 crew was similarly advised. When they passed, the 737 Capt remarked “What are you doing up here?” My […]

This week, we would like to know your thoughts on the Concorde’s upcoming retirement. For AVweb’s Question of the Week, click here. PREVIOUS RESULTS We received over 400 responses to our question last week on Sun ‘n Fun. A large group (41 percent) of those responding indicated they have attended Sun ‘n Fun on several […]

Flight School Liability Insurance Twenty years ago, the University of Michigan Aerospace Engineering Department had an airplane and a flight testing course. Western Michigan, Embry Riddle, etc., still do. We sold ours, as “it was too expensive.” Now, we can get the funding for another aircraft, but the administrators tell us that no way will […]

Charlie Summers jokes that it takes two medical examiners for his exam — each looks into one of his ears and if they can see one another he passes. Charlie flies a one-of-a-kind armor-plated T-28 into thunderstorms — on purpose, for a living — for the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Institute of […]

ADIZ Flight Plans I just returned from Sun-N-Fun this weekend. Coming from Raleigh, N.C., to Hyannis, Mass., the handling of the ADIZ flight plans was cumbersome and does not, in my opinion, add any level of extra security to the area. Our experience was as follows: Sunday (April 6) at 12:00 called 1-800-WX BRIEF, was […]

We were preparing to push back in Kansas City and we were heavy. The hot weather wasn’t helping the takeoff figures much either.Full up on passengers, cargo and fuel, the gate agent was in the passenger cabin counting babies. Your average passenger is calculated at about 170 pounds (if I remember my ATP written questions […]