AVweb Insider

I lead a double life and in my other manifestation I am but a humble merchant who hawks his wares at a public market in a little mountain town that is crammed with tourists every summer. Our little winery seems to make products that those enjoying the clean air and drop-dead stunning landscape like to […]

“And these children that you spit on  As they try to change their worlds  Are immune to your consultations  They’re quite aware of what they’re going through.”                           David Bowie My voyage from the then of me being a crusty old airline captain to […]

Ed. Note: Mireille Goyer is founder and president of the Institute for Women of Aviation Worldwide, which has marked the anniversary of the issuance of the first pilot certificate to a woman, Raymonde de Laroche, on March 8, 1910, with events aimed at welcoming women and girls into aviation held through the first week of […]

We attend so many different types of events at AirVenture that my colleagues and I have learned to never be surprised at what one might yield. Some of the most seemingly insignificant events have resulted in some of the best stories. Still, some things look like a sure thing and the event held last year […]

Ed. Note: We’re pleased to welcome Kevin Garrison back as a twice-a-month opinion contributor to AVweb, reviving his popular column. “Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.”  ― Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy I retired from the airline world eons ago, but the weary yet happy feeling I get after a flight has […]

Ed. Note: The following was posted by Robin Hadfield, the International President of the Ninety-Nines Inc., the world’s longest standing female pilot advocacy group. Recently right wing commentator and media personality Candace Owens stirred controversy with uninformed comments regarding diversity hiring (DEI) and the suitability of women for pilot roles. The lack of any facts […]

There’s an unpleasant snag in the non-equity club/partnership arrangement I’m looking at. It has nothing to do with the airplane, the owner, the other partners, or anything tangible, really. It’s—surprise—insurance. To recap, I’m really excited about flying this 1970 Cherokee. My needs are to work toward an instrument proficiency check and have a nice airplane […]

When the light sport category was established 20 years ago, a lot of the emphasis in commentary on it at the time was about training. Don’t forget it was supposed to open the floodgates of pent-up pilot demand that had thus far been frustrated by the onerous requirements to qualify for a private ticket. The […]

I’ve been in and out (mostly out) of currency for a few years. OK, more than a few. But in the post-COVID environment, I committed myself to re-upping with a VFR flight review (mission accomplished!) and inching my way toward an instrument proficiency check (work in progress). My long-term goal is to get comfortable with […]

There are plenty of jobs for which I’m unqualified and even more that I know I would hate, but I can’t imagine what the Boeing exec who got this particular assignment thought when it appeared in his or her internal email. As we speak, this poor soul is trying to sell the FAA on relaxing […]