Comfortable and straightforward plane to fly. Pretty predictable and benign handling characteristics.

(Written on 10/20/2023)(Permalink)

Nah. They are so over worked with such an incredible backlog, they’re working overtime. My work on the plane help some other aircraft get done more quickly.

(Written on 08/18/2023)(Permalink)

Getting mechanic time for my Annual Inspection last month was tough. I’ve been at the same FBO for 25 years, and do around 60% of the work on the Annual. This year, I got only one day of mechanic time during the week. Then had to wait another week to get another day to finish it. And that’s fast compared to many friends. Add parts delays due to supply chain issues, and being an aircraft owner is so much more challenging in a post Covid era.

(Written on 08/15/2023)(Permalink)

In the Americas, you're right. And in large parts of Europe and Aus/NZ. However, there are large parts of the world that don't have avgas easily available, but have Jet-A. China for example. So, this makes piston engines and light aircraft more available in those areas.

(Written on 08/04/2023)(Permalink)

The performance tables in any aircraft handbook will have performance adjustments for temperature (and wind and runway surface condition). If heat was an issue, the pilots should have been prepped for that. This is a standard part of preflight planning. 14 CFR § 91.103 (which every pilot studies) says: § 91.103 Preflight action. Each pilot in command shall, before beginning a flight, become familiar with all available information concerning that flight. This information must include— (b) For any flight, runway lengths at airports of intended use, and the following takeoff and landing distance information: (1) For civil aircraft for which an approved Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual containing takeoff and landing distance data is required, the takeoff and landing distance data contained therein;

(Written on 07/28/2023)(Permalink)

Durango. KDRO.

(Written on 07/16/2023)(Permalink)

The interesting question is what that should look like. Certain AM VHF radios are an archaic technology. Moving to FM and SSB would be a minimum improvements. And how to integrate datalink in a way that single pilot operations can safely use. Plus the backwards compatibility issue of a huge fleet of existing aircraft. There's a great need for a study group and design team to figure out what's the more effective path forward and try to set a schedule for getting there.

(Written on 06/02/2023)(Permalink)

The system worked. ATC is a collaborative effort between the pilots and controllers. No one is perfect and no communication is perfect, voice or data link. We listen to each, confirm by repeating what we're told, and question when things don't make sense, for our own aircraft or another. During the Reagan era, there was a "zero tolerance" policy that forced pilots and controllers to shut up and not question mistakes because someone would be punished for a human error. That created an environment where errors were allowed to go unquestioned. Data link is great but requires you to either have a second pilot to handles comms or take your eye away from the window or nav. And data link entries are just as error prone as voice. Yes, two plane went around. We're trained for that. The default for every landing is a go around. Only if everything is fine, do you complete the landing. Just because we complete the landings most of the time, doesn't mean we shouldn't be ready for the inevit

(Written on 06/02/2023)(Permalink)

IMHO, that's not a bad thing. Space has enormous strategic and economic importance, and that will only increase as it becomes more accessible. The USA is blessed with a decent national space program *and* innovative and competent commercial space companies. That can only benefit us going forward. The companies, like SpaceX, have been quite cost-effective compared to government programs, so any money spent there is going to be an investment that pays off multiple ways.

(Written on 04/14/2023)(Permalink)

My wife and I were working Flight Line Ops at EAA Oshkosh (Airventure) a few years when when a B-52 arrived. It was the weekend before the show, so pretty quiet except for everyone setting up. I walked the left wing as it was towed to the ramp. Impressive. Looks modern and outdated, all at the same time. Huge wingspan. We had to take down a few sign posts near the taxiway so it would fit. Interestingly, the metal panels on the side of the fuselage had an irregular texture. Give the large part of the plane that isn't pressurized, I think that some of this sheet metal is lighter weight, so has taken on an irregular surface over the years. Got to see the cockpit some years later, in a different location. Again, a weird mixture of super modern and old fashioned. The air frame of the B-52 is tough and maintainable, so could go on flying for several more decades.

(Written on 03/03/2023)(Permalink)