Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) is a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where he sits on the Aviation and Highways Subcommittees. How ironic it is, then, that he knows absolutely nothing about general aviation except that it’s imperative it be eliminated immediately. On the third anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, Rep. Weiner made an attack of his… Read more →
Category: Aviation
Sunday
Ah, Sunday. And what a lovely day it was, flying the Stearman round and round the pattern, landing on the grass, two-pointing it on the pavement, and generally spending a September afternoon the way God intended: in a sixty year old, tube-and-fabric, radial engine, open cockpit biplane. From turning the prop through a dozen times by hand to hearing that… Read more →
Goodbye Cleveland Air Show, Hello Pulp Fiction
Another multi-million dollar aviation event falls by the wayside due to the idiotic and useless restrictions on general aviation. Via AVweb: In Cleveland, Ohio, organizers are scrambling to get a waiver so they can go ahead with a planned air show this weekend after a stadium sports event was scheduled nearby. The FAA said that means no flying. If the… Read more →
Reality TV?
I think NBC has run one too many reality TV shows. Or maybe they’re just completely out of ideas for filling airtime. Whatever the reason, this stunt borders on the criminal. If I had tried this, I can assure you I would end up in a terrorist watchlist database. This comes from Bob McDaniel, airport manager at St. Louis Downtown… Read more →
Smart Move, Senator
I’ve never made a secret of the fact that I’m not John Kerry’s biggest supporter. I disagree very strongly with his positions on defense, social spending, taxes, and even on the very basics like role of government, interpretation of the Constitution, and so on. Despite all that I want to support him. I respect Sen. Kerry because he’s a pilot… Read more →
Goodbye 94M
Well, she’s gone. My airplane is sold. The hangar is empty. The final logbook entry has been made. And there’s a bit of a hole in my heart. It’s not sadness per se. More like an empty spot reserved for an old friend who’s gone away. A thankfulness for all the good times, all the flights over water, desert, and… Read more →
Sen. Charles Schumer: Idiot-in-Chief
Congratulations, Sen. Schumer. You’re now at the top of my shit list. Via AVweb: Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) claims New York City is being shortchanged on security by the existence of the uncontrolled VFR corridor and he believes the Big Apple deserves the same sort of GA ban that Washington, D.C., has. “If they can do it for Washington, they… Read more →
The Orange County Coastline
My hangar is kind of a melancholy place these days, as it seems I’ve found a buyer for Nine-Four-Mike. A nice guy whose name also happens to be… Mike. Anyway, I’ve been thinking about what I’ll miss most once she’s sold. “Ground visibility” is definitely near the top of the list. For sightseeing, there’s nothing quite like a 100 or… Read more →
Multi-Engine Instrument Rating
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of accomplishment that comes when, after a tough checkride, an examiner reaches over from the right seat to shake your hand and says, “Congratulations — you passed!” That’s the feeling I had this past Tuesday when I recieved my multi-engine rating. I’d almost forgotten how nice it was. Read more →
Now We’re Cookin’!
I used to think I was a mediocre cook. But a new stove–indeed, a whole new kitche–might be causing me to reconsider. Read more →