Page 4 - Volumne 18 Number 5

2 • TWIN & TURBINEMAY 2014editor’sbriefingTallying Up The Pluses And MinusesAt times, we all feel like personal aviation is getting to be a hassle, doubting that it’s worth the effort and expense. I know, I know – the requirements and demands from airport operators, insurance companies, state and local tax collectors, as well as the FAA-imposed maintenance, operations and medical requirements, just keep piling on. I think a lot of the dissatisfaction, for us long- time participants, stems from remembering the simpler times, when our business was welcomed and public servants actually were eager to serve somebody.All right, let’s weigh things up on the plus-and-minus sides and see what it would be like to jump ship, before we actually go over the side. Not having our own airplane means we’ll be riding everywhere on an airliner or driving endless hours on the take-your-chances highways. Do you really want to go back to doing that? Those travel modes haven’t gotten any better since we started flying; the roads are full of raging idiots and airline travel, at least back in steerage, is crowded and noisy – after you get through the terminal and onto the plane.Sure, there are times when these alternate methods have to be employed, but a little relearning experience with them restores our sense of the worth of having our own wings. It’s nice to be able to walk out to the plane with our toiletries intact, park at thehangar with our car, and cruise leisurely on our own schedule. Not to mention the time saved.I really appreciate my airplane on the homebound legs; by then, I’m tired of the trip and want it brought to a conclusion. Knowing that I’m going to be landing close to my house, in a shortened amount of time, on my own terms, is well worth the slings and arrows of ownership.So, consider all the costs in time and treasure you expend, and pile those on the “minus” side. Then, in opposition, add up the convenience of coming and going on your own flexible itinerary, the pleasure of watching sun-dappled cloud tops slip past the window, and the satisfaction of completing a landing approach to a smooth arrival. See, it does balance out; some things are just priceless.Inside The May IssueThis month, we visit the exotic climes of Myanmar with Paul Bowen, who recently covered the introduction of turbine-powered air transportation to a country emerging from decades of isolation. Radar guru Archie Trammell is back, this time educating us about the “Gain” function on our radar set, which, as it turns out, may not actually gain anything. But, he shows us that it does add utility, if used properly. Captain Kevin Dingman brings us up to date on the use of NOTAMs, Tom Turner reminds us that we need to fly like we train, and David Miller uses his “On Final” page to tell about accidents occurring too close to home. You’ll learn a lot from these experts.LeRoy Cook. Editor