Features

Hijack Transponder Rule Panned So, instead of labelling the proposed new transponder’s “panic” buttons in the normal way, perhaps they should label them the “Please shoot me down” button. Only a suicidal pilot these days would deliberately squawk a “hijack” code, right? George Horn US Military May Degrade GPS Signal This article indicates that the […]

I am really excited about our newfound capability to record extensive data from real, live, running engines in real airplanes. We’ve been doing this for several years, but the data is getting more and more sophisticated, and we’re learning to make better use of it. We can now take this recorded data, quickly plot it […]

Frustrated Controller at LaGuardia on a busy day: “Skyhawk 735 do a one minute 360 for spacing on the final”. Veteran, cool, knowledgeable pilot “A standard rate-turn 360 degrees takes two minutes” Controller: “Do a 180 and back ‘er in”.

This week, we would like to know your thoughts on air shows. For AVweb’s Question of the Week, click here. PREVIOUS RESULTS We received over 200 responses to our question last week on the Airport Watch Program. Almost half (46 percent) of those responding felt this program partially deters the use of GA aircraft in […]

Hijack Transponder Rule Panned No doubt these hijack transponders will find tremendous utility in the Mooney Mite and the single seat Pitts Special!David Abrams This article states “The agency has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would require the replacement of virtually all existing transponders in GA aircraft with models that have a […]

The “Wright” Stuff … And A Kiwi’s Accomplishments Are Still Remembered In the early Kiwi airplane piece in your March 20 issue, your writer shifts time frames without explanation. The result appears to imply that the 1903 Wright (Kitty Hawk) Flyer benefitted from a catapult launch. It didn’t. The 1903 Flyer made its total of […]

It was, as I recall, a Sunday afternoon. The weather was superb and we were in the middle of Nigel’s semi-annual half day of recurrent training. He was, as usual, right on altitude, heading and speed, and way ahead of the airplane even though I’d covered instruments and he was doing it all partial panel. […]

More from our If Only file… The comm radio failed again while practicing instrument approaches. After restoring communications… Cessna 12345: “Approach, Cessna 12345 is going to break off the approach, procede VFR to (uncontrolled home field), and kick this radio down the stairwell.” Controller, “Cessna 12345, approved, squawk VFR. After a short pause, “Will that […]

This week, we would like to know your thoughts on the new Airport Watch program. For AVweb’s Question of the Week, click here. PREVIOUS RESULTS We received over 700 responses to our question last week on War’s Effects On General Aviation. Almost half (42 percent) of those responding felt a war with Iraq would definitely […]

Honda’s New Engine I just read the news on the teaming of Honda and TCM for a piston engine. What great news to have Honda enter this market. I was looking for a place to send encouragement to Honda/TCM to sell a non-certified version of this new engine for experimental aircraft builders. We really need […]