Reader Mail

Airborne Cellphone Use Your question omitted an important alternative: “I’ve tried to use my cell phone in the air, but it didn’t work” (QOTW, Mar. 30).The reason this is important is that I’ve heard that digital cell phones, which most are, are subject to having their transmitters shut down by the cell phone system when […]

New Marine One Contract On a topic other than general aviation, I was disappointed to hear that the Navy’s presidential helicopter contract went to Lockheed-Martin as opposed to Sikorsky (NewsWire, Jan. 31). The Lockheed product — the US101 — is simply a licensed copy of the European Augusta EH101 helicopter. It will be built by […]

Part-Time Control Tower Operations and Airliners I am a Boeing 727 captain based out of Memphis, Tenn., flying for a very large, overnight-express delivery service. I also fly a small general aviation airplane. I am writing to express my concern and utter disbelief with regards to the current status of part-time control tower operations and […]

Military Airspace Revised In response to a recent Question of the Week (QOTW, Mar. 3): “Should the military be allowed to take over any more airspace without giving up an equivalent amount? What’s fair when it comes to MOAs?” As a past member of an airspace-design team at Minneapolis Center (ZMP) I have experienced many […]

Sharing Military Airspace The excessive impact of military airspaces (Question of the Week, Mar. 3) could be mitigated by providing general aviation safe corridors. Similar corridors work in Class B airspace.The military should provide safe flight-following for civilian flights. If this is considered burdensome, it shows the impact of the airspace restriction is excessive.Chuck Forsberg […]

Lying to the FAA It’s interesting that the FAA would be so serious about lying on a medical application (NewsWire, Feb. 28). I do not justify or condone any form of dishonesty, and I do not object to liars being prosecuted. It’s strange, though, that when lawyers openly lie in court, it is not considered […]

Lycoming Lawsuit I agree with Anson Jones’ post about Lycoming and Continental (AVmail, Feb. 21). It’s about time for some new competition in the engine market. Let the likes of Honda and Toyota show these two GA giants how to make long-lasting, efficient engines at a price bearable to pilots. Who wants to spend $30K […]

Lockheed AFSS I am in agreement with the AFSS controller from AOO AFSS (AVmail, Feb. 14). Mr. Boyer of AOPA says the performance parameters are guaranteed. By whom? If they aren’t met, who are you going to complain to? If you’re not satisfied with the response to your complaint, what’s your recourse? AFSS won’t be […]

FSS Privatization FAA mismanagement and union “whining” put the final coffin nails in a government-run FSS program (NewsWire, Feb. 7). I am pleased to see that the FSS Union/Harris Corp. proposal was not accepted. Harris was the main contractor in OASIS (the government replacement for Model 1). “New blood” is needed and hopefully Lockheed Martin […]

T-37 Vs. Air-Tractor It would seem to me from reading the article (NewsWire, Jan. 31) that both aircraft were at fault, The AT502 was at 5000 ft. and unless he was under IFR (which he wasn’t) then he was at the wrong altitude, as we all know. I don’t know to much about military reg’s; […]