Thanks to our friends at airpigs.com for bringing this to our attention. A 360 panoramic view of Space Shuttle Discovery‘s flight deck during the decommissioning process in 2011. Read the rest of this entry »

One of my favorite YouTube videos:

Wish I could fly with them.

A very funny classic enjoy.

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On Tuesday 4/17/2012 Stephen T, Neal and I flew the 182RG down to Dulles to witness the arrival of Space Shuttle Discovery atop the modified 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft. Truly a sight I will not soon forget! Read the rest of this entry »

Listen as Helen Collins lands her Cessna 414 with the help of pilot Robert Vuksanovic after her husband dies at the controls. Read the rest of this entry »

Flight log 2/19/2012 Bay Bridge with Stephen T
As mentioned in my previous writ-up I have cut back on flying so I could save for my Commercial Pilots License. I hadn’t flown in about two moths so when Stephen sent me a message asking if I would like to fly down to W29 -Bay Bridge- I figured it was about time I got back in the air. Read the rest of this entry »

New aviation introduction and mentoring program based on success of Young Eagles

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. — (March 26, 2012) — The Experimental Aircraft Association’s upcoming Eagle Flights program, the new aviation orientation program for adults, will have its official kickoff this summer with inaugural flights at the EAA AirVenture fly-in, which is scheduled for July 23-29 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wis. Read the rest of this entry »

An amazing video taken form the solid rocket boosters on STS 117 and 127. The audio was captured by onboard microphones and enhanced by Lucas Studios as part of an upcoming DVD video commemorating the Space Shuttle. Read the rest of this entry »

Pilot Professionalism by Robert Sumalt of the NTSB at the University of North Dakota.

It’s a bit long but well worth the time. A must watch for any pilot weather you fly a Piper Cub or a Boeing 747.

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I have some good news, no, I didn’t win the Mega Millions yet but I did pass the Commercial Pilot Written exam on Sunday with a 95%. I would have scored 100% but missed 5 (easy) questions. All performance / navigation / weight and balance questions answered correctly and not by memory (unlike my PPL). Read the rest of this entry »

As of late, I have been contemplating my future with regard to aviation. During the past few months I even considered giving it up. With the costs involved and constant demand from family / work it does get hard sometimes. Read the rest of this entry »

Flight log 9/11/2011
Yet another great flight that I am just getting around to logging; I am starting to feel like I need a staff writer.

So why Niagara Falls again? My normal co-pilot Stephen T asked if I wanted to join the “summerset airport crew” for a flight to the falls, at first I wasn’t too thrilled with the idea of flying on 9/11 not to mention the 10th anniversary.

I was two blocks north (on the West Side Highway) when the second plane hit the south tower and saw the first plane just prior to impact with the north tower. My life changed on that day and I will never forget it.

It just so happens that the organizer of this trip is also the chairman of the NYC branch of the USO. He is (among other things) a retired Army Captain and in my opinion, a real patriot. He sent out an email requesting donations and attendees for the first annual USO 9/11 remembrance walk in NYC to be held on 9/10. I signed up and also invited my mother along. We attended and enjoyed it so much that we plan on attending next year as well.

This was my second trip to the falls and as mentioned in my previous post I really wanted to take my son along, but this time Steven had a birthday party to attend to so yet again he was going to miss this flight. Ya never know, third time may be the trick! Read the rest of this entry »

Updates on the crash on RT 278 near Morristown NJ.

• According to reports a Socata TBM 700 crashed shortly after departing Teterboro KTEB.
• Authorities have reported 5 deaths with no injuries on the ground.
• According to the a flight track on FlightAware the TBM departed TEB and lost radar contact at approximately 10:15 local time at an altitude of about 16,000 feet.

My hart goes out to the families. RIP.. Read the rest of this entry »

Just had to share this one! An impressive show of airmenship from this guy! Enjoy.

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This story was sent to me via a fellow flying cub and after reading it, I just had to share it with my readers! Enjoy!

Zero/Zero by Charles Svoboda

It happened sometime in 1965, in Germany. I was a copilot, so I knew, everything there was to know about flying, and I was frustrated by pilots like my aircraft commander. He was one of those by-the-numbers types, no class, no imagination, no “feel” for flying. You have to be able to feel an airplane. So what if your altitude is a little off, or if the glideslope indicator is off a hair? If it feels okay then it is okay. That’s what I believed.

Every time he let me make an approach, even in VFR conditions, he demanded perfection. Not the slightest deviation was permitted. “If you can’t do it when there is no pressure, you surely can’t do it when the pucker factor increases,” he would say. When he shot an approach, it was as if all the instruments were frozen – perfection, but no class.

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