September 2017
Editor's Briefing
Fair warning: this column isn't about ATC privatization, although it's a hot topic right now within our community that deserves our attention and action. Instead, it's about another cog in the aviation's economic machine: the insurance industry. With more than a dozen underwriting companies competing for a limited number of aircraft, the market is soft. Read More
Airmail
I have to drop a line to say thanks to Twin & Turbine and Joe Ratterman for two terrific articles about onboard radar. (“Look Up Look Down…Look Out!” July 2017 & Beam Me Up Scotty!” August 2017) I’ve been flying with onboard radars for many years, but until now I never understood how to get optimal utility Read More
Airmail
CAF Red Tail Squadron is Back in the Air
For the record, the U.S. Air Force of Historical Research list the Red Tails as first participating in the air campaign in May of 1943 and started escorting bombers in July of 1944 in the European theater. Two Tuskegee airmen shot down four to five enemy aircraft and many of the other Red Tails shot Read More
Airmail
Thanks for Kevin Dingman’s August article “Altered States.” Because of his ability to synthesize cogent and entertaining articles from eclectic information, From the Flight Deck is always my “first read” in Twin & Turbine, but his guidance on fatigue hit particularly close to home. As an engineering consultant who flies his company’s plane on business Read More
Feature
We circle above Lake Travis two times, locating power lines, wake signs and boats. Mark Brown, Quest Aircraft’s lead factory demo pilot, informs me the key to water landings is to plan the perfect landing zone then overfly it, allowing plenty of area to face variable winds, currents, debris and traffic. It’s a hot Texas Read More
Jet Journal
Jet Journal: Seven Habits of a Disciplined Single Pilot
We all hold on to the memory of the first time we soloed – an event that likely took place in a training aircraft flown at a familiar airport. The weather was fair and a flight instructor watchfully stood nearby. Today, many of us are flying larger, faster turbine aircraft and facing far more complex Read More
Jet Journal
Trapping Pilot Errors There’s an old adage in aviation that says there are two kinds of pilots: “There are those that have, and those that will.” It’s commonly used to explain why some poor schmuck landed gear up. Roughly translated in ecclesiastical, Renaissance prose as: “Beware thouist of majestic confidence and regal arrogance. Thine time Read More
Jet Journal
Jet Journal: TRU Simulation + Training Poised for Growth
Company plans to stay true to its core strategy of offering custom-tailored training designed for the owner-pilot. As the newest and fastest growing full-service training organization in the industry, TRU Simulation & Flight Training continues to build its portfolio of aircraft training platforms. Currently the company has three ProFlight facilities serving business aviation customers: Carlsbad, Read More
Five on the Fly
WHO: Deon Mitton WHERE: Los Angeles, California POSITION: Director of service reliability engineering at Sony PlayStation, Aviation photographer CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Commercial land / seaplane, Private pilot helicopter, Tailwheel 1. When did you first enter the aerial photography scene? I started in 1993 as soon as I earned my pilot’s license. Photography has always been a passion of mine and once Read More
Feature
Fifty-one years ago, crossing the pond in a twin piston Piper with a single ADF was a pioneering adventure Life was coming up roses for me that spring of 1965. I was successfully established as a freelance aviation journalist; a major aviation magazine had added me to its masthead as a contributing editor and my Read More
Feature
Cherry farmers ward off harvest-destroying rainfall using a novel tool: Robinson R44 helicopter. It is an ungodly hour on a soaking wet gray morning, with occasional flashes of lightening still visible on the horizon as the recently passed thunderstorm moves out to the east. I am 150 miles from home, suspended some 15 feet above Read More
From the Flight Deck
The FAA / ATC Divorce: Who gets custody of GA? The Part 121 folks claim they are being hobbled by an antiquated system no longer capable of supporting their needs. Why else would they be chronically late if not for a broken, government-run system? Severe weather was approaching as I planned my departure from the Read More
En Route
Cutter Aviation Opens New FBO at KCOS
Usually when a company opens a new facility, they hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony, take pictures and serve refreshments. Cutter Aviation took the “grand opening” event to a new level by holding a log-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of their new FBO terminal at the Colorado Springs Municipal Airport. The new executive terminal features a Read More
En Route
Superior Air Parts Releases “Engine Management 101” as a free Flip-Book Download
Superior Air Parts, Inc., is making its popular book “Engine Management 101” available as a free flip-book download. Written by Superior’s VP of product support Bill Ross, who has been an FAA A&P/IA for 32 years, the book covers all aspects of piston engine maintenance, operation, leaning and preventative procedures. “I’ve spent my entire career Read More
On Final
Summertime pre-flights can be a pain. By the time I am finished with all my chores on a 100-degree ramp, I am uncomfortably drenched in sweat. I tend to rush things hoping to get in the air sooner and to cooler temperatures. By contrast, a preflight on any summer morning in Gunnison, Colorado is delightful. Read More
