Reader Mail

On the Way to OSH: U.S. Air Force National Museum Thank you, Tom. Like you, I was a young admirer of the B-70. Today as an engineer that admiration has only strengthened. I remember the last (and only) time I saw this magnificent machine in person. Fifteen years ago, I spent two days at the […]

Mixed News On Refurb Trainers I think the key issue is what you said in your next to last paragraph: The cost of replacement parts is out of control. I can’t speak for Piper, but Cessna parts have skyrocketed in the past 5-6 years, making a full 172 refurb prohibitively expensive. Add to that, the […]

Boeing’s New Hypersonic Concept I’d love to see the technology advance. I’ve been following Reaction Engines in the U.K. for several years. The have a very interesting concept for using ultra-high-efficiency heat exchangers to produce oxygen from the air to use in rocket propulsion, thus reducing the need for the weight of O2 on board. […]

Diamond’s Christian Dries First of all, thank you for recognizing and writing about a gentleman who, despite his larger than life personality when you are with him, has most certainly not had the public recognition he deserves. But then again, Christian was never in it for recognition but rather to make a difference in an […]

100LL Replacement Fuel I am glad GAMI is putting all the time and effort in this endeavor. However, with an option that costs MORE than what we already pay I’m not at all interested. Sorry but I’ll stick with the lead. The GA world is trying to desperately save itself by finding options to allow […]

Damage Assessment After Disasters First off, I have been a follower of yours for a long time and (I think) was an early subscriber to AVweb. I got your article from another member within Texas Wing Civil Air Patrol. After Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, many of us in Civil Air Patrol were involved in […]

Duo Bails Out Of TBM Avenger I wanted to clarify some apparent misinformation on what I have heard and read: (1) The .50 caliber machine guns in the wings are FORWARD facing. One in each wing. They were simulated, not real. The gun receivers with ammunition feedways, barrels and barrel jackets were modeled from the […]

Initial Pilot Certification Passing Rates As with the military, the CFI shortage or experience level in GA could be helped by engaging retired pilots. The problem for this segment of pilots/CFII’s is that flight schools/ military training units want schedule control over the CFII or the insurance co requires permanent employment status. There should be […]

Mechanic Shortage Regarding legislation that creates a program and funding to help with the shortage of aviation mechanics, I submit something that is a factor in the equation. Several weeks ago in the Phoenix area there were protests demanding the minimum wage go to $15 per hour. McDonalds was targeted by supporters of pending legislation. […]

Electric Airplane Lessons Would I take lessons in an electric airplane? I might take initial instruction for a private pilot ticket or instrument rating in an electric airplane. The basics of angle of attack and so on won’t change because of the power plant but I simply cannot see advancing to cross country work in […]