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In Flight USA Articles
Editorial: Where The Heck Are We?
By Ed Downs
As is often the case, this month’s editorial thoughts were triggered by a press release. In many instances, press releases and/or news announcements offer current information that requires further investigation or thought. In this case, the press release was sent by one of In Flight USA’s premier advertisers, DuraCharts. The details of this release are in this issue, but what caught my attention was the announcement that sectional chart subscriptions are no longer available from the FAA.
Okay, not a big deal you may think? After all, with modern electronic flight bags, cell phone apps and advanced aircraft technology, the old concept of messing around with a big piece of paper in the cockpit seems incredibly old fashioned. But there is a “rest of the story” to be told about this announcement from the FAA.
Win the Flight of a Lifetime! Fly Stallion 51's P-51Mustang "Crazy Horse"
Support Angel Flight West
Larry Whitesitt Receives Master Pilot Award
Zenith Aircraft Ships 10,000th Set of Plans
Zenith Aircraft has sold over 10,000 sets of plans and shipped them out to over 50 countries.Zenith Aircraft Company has now shipped 10,000 sets of plans to aircraft builders in more than 50 countries. Most sets of plans are sent with complete or partial aircraft kits, though some go to builders who prefer to scratch-build the aircraft.
Over the past four decades, prolific aeronautical engineer Chris Heintz has developed a dozen aircraft designs. Today, Zenith Aircraft Company markets kits for four of Chris Heintz’ most popular and versatile concepts: the original STOL CH 701 Sky Jeep, the STOL CH 750, the CH 750 Cruzer, and the low-wing CH 650. Additional Heintz designs are built and sold by Zenith’s sister company: Zenair Ltd, in Canada.
Angels' C.J. Wilson gets Wild Aerobatic Plane Ride with Kirby Chambliss
Father, Son Team Up for Exercise Airdrop
By Master Sgt. Scott Thompson
182nd Airlift Wing (Published in In Flight USA by permission of Air Force Public Relations)
Master Sgt. Chuck Barth checks a training bundle from an airdrop with a C-130 Hercules at Grayling Gunnery Range August 6, 2013, during exercise Northern Strike. Barth is a joint terminal air controller with the 182nd Air Support Operations Group in Peoria. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Scott Thompson)As Senior Airman Nick Barth prepared a standard airdrop training bundle on a C-130 Hercules during exercise Northern Strike on Aug. 6, 2013, he reflected on what his father told him right before his deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
“Whenever you are resupplying troops in the field, put a care package in the bundle that says, ‘For the JTAC only,’” the loadmaster said, quoting his father, Master Sgt. Chuck Barth, a joint terminal air controller for more than 25 years with the 182nd Air Support Operations Group in Peoria.
NATA Announces Industry Excellence Awards Recipients
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has announced the recipients of its Industry Excellence Awards given annually to individuals, offices, and organizations that have helped improve the general aviation community by demonstrating excellence in their field and the highest level of customer service.
NATA will present awards to the following five recipients:
Mr. Richard (Ric) Peri, Senior Writer for Avionics News and Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs for the Aircraft Electronics Association, will receive the Aviation Journalism Award that identifies a journalist, writer, or publication excelling in consumer education or editorial support in the FBO/Air Charter industry. Mr. Peri is an active advocate for aviation small businesses worldwide and is an internationally recognized author and sought-after speaker concerning all facets of aviation maintenance. With more than 20 years of experience writing for various publications in the aviation maintenance community, he has dedicated himself to promoting standardization, consistency and regulatory compliance.
Contrails: First Flight
By Steve Weaver
First Flight
Once when I was little and played on the hill,
One wondrous evening, I dream of it still–
Mom called me to dinner, impatient, I knew–
So I lifted my arms up and flapped them and flew.
I lifted my arms up and flapped them, and lo!
I was flying as fast as my short legs could go.
The hill swirled beneath me, all foggy and green;
I lit by the yard fence, and no one had seen.
I told them at dinner, I said, “I can fly.”
They laughed, not believing. I started to cry
And ran from the table, and sobbed, “It is true–
You need not believe me; I flapped and I flew.”
I told them next morning, I told them again–
For years I kept telling; they laughed and I ran–
No one would believe me; I ceased then to tell;
But still I remember, remember it well–
One soft summer evening up there on the knoll,
Before life had harried the reach of my soul,
I stood there in twilight, in childlight, and dew–
And I lifted my arms up and flapped them and flew!
This was written by Southern author and poet Louise McNeil, West Virginia’s Poet Laureate for many years. It was written late in her life and while she was never a pilot or even so far as I know a passenger in a small airplane, she speaks eloquently of the yearning that lives in the breast of all humans, to defy gravity and soar above the earth.
College Time Flights and Buzzes
By Charlie Briggs
To the glee of me and the distress of my fraternity members at Sigma Nu, Kansas state chapter, plus the use of my father’s Luscombe, this really happened. Dad leased “long stem grass” pastures in the Manhattan, Kans. Area, and was there on business, and to see me. Seizing on the opportunity to “get in a little air time,” he agreed to let me take a sightseeing flight of the area.
The year was 1949! I had a fresh new private pilots license and the experience of less than 100 hours of solo time. It is reported that 100 hours is the most dangerous time of a pilot’s career.
Looking back, I believe it. There is little that scares you and much to entice you to “slip the surly bonds” of common sense and do darned fool things. This was one of those things.
Former Marine Military Working Dog Finds New Life in the Air Force
By Air Force Master Sgt. April Lapetoda
380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
(This feature is part of the “Through Airmen’s Eyes” series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)
Senior Airman Samantha Baker gives her partner, Penny, a hug after successfully completing a training session. Baker is a military working dog handler deployed to the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. April Lapetoda)The passion and love between military working dogs and handlers is part of the job, but not always evident. However, for Senior Airman Samantha Baker and her partner for the past four months, military working dog Penny, the two are often seen walking around the base together.
Sometimes Baker carries Penny up makeshift stairs so that her paws don’t get stuck, and instead of working strict patrol and obedience training, the two are often in the training area engaging in a game of catch with lots of hugs, love and praise.
Not only does Baker’s and Penny’s relationship look different from the average military working dog and its handler – it is different in several ways. One of the main factors for the difference in their relationship is that Penny is a fox red Labrador.
Share-A-Flight – Need A Ride? Have A Seat?
Murphy Aircraft Mfg. Ltd. is For Sale
Murphy Aircraft Manufacturing Ltd. has announced that the company is now being offered for sale. They hope to sell to someone who can take the company to the next stage of development.
Mr. Darryl Murphy, Company Founder and President, said “After thirty enjoyable years running Murphy Aircraft Mfg. Ltd., I am approaching retirement, with the desire to spend more time with family and pursue other interests. To that end I find myself in the position of wanting to sell Murphy Aircraft Mfg. Ltd.”
Murphy Aircraft Mfg. Ltd. was founded in 1985 and has been a world leader in the design and production of experimental light aircraft, having sold close to 2,000 aircraft kits in more than 35 countries. Many of these Murphy aircraft are now flying on floats and skis. The Murphy Moose and Murphy Rebel, with their reputation as rugged, roomy bush aircraft, offering utilitarian high useful loads, are especially coveted for their excellent performance on floats.
Weeks after FAA Test Site Designation, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Conducts Drone Research Mission
Just weeks after its designation as one of six federally-approved test sites for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi will conduct several test flights over South Texas ranchland to continue research and training on the RS-16 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
The recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) test site designation, announced Dec. 30, is expected to bring other UAS researchers to the University’s Lone Star UAS Center to expand research on new applications and safe integration of unmanned aerial technology into the national airspace.
A&M-Corpus Christi has an established UAS program, including extensive airspace authorized by the FAA for UAS operations. The University also has established a UAS Command and Control Center at the Coastal Bend Business Innovation Center that will manage the 11 Texas test ranges. The University’s UAV, an RS-16, has participated in several missions since it arrived on campus in 2011.
Skies to Stars: Nothing Stays the Same
By Ed Downs
The Giant Red Spot on Jupiter. (NASA.gov)This amateur astronomer decided that it was time to dabble in the rapidly expanding field of astro photography and bought a new gadget. Sort of like flying, there is always another accessory to buy. That gadget is designed to hold a simple, digital, point and shoot class of camera in the correct position to actually take photos of distant objects. This is a long way from the more advanced levels of amateur astro-photography, which can challenge Hubble Telescope photos, but it is a fun and cheap place to start.
The timing is also good as a favorite local, Jupiter, is positioned for the best viewing in two years. The gas giant Jupiter and it’s four largest moons, Io, Europa, Ganymede and Calisto make for terrific photos. Even a small telescope will give the amateur a great view, and a telescope such as owned by this writer (12” reflector) will allow one to resolve some surface details on the moons. Yes, these are big moons, the least of which (Europa) is a bit smaller than our moon and the largest (Ganymede) being bigger than the planet Mercury. But why, one might ask, bother taking a rudimentary photo when incredible images are already available from the likes of the Hubble Space Telescope, the Galileo and New Horizons spacecraft plus highly advanced ground based telescopes?
An Early Trip to Texas and a Unique Grass Seeding System
By Charlie Briggs
The year was 1946. The plane was small. The hour was early. The weather was good. The destination was Seminole, Texas. For me this was like going to another country. I looked it up on the map. It was 420 air miles. Going another direction we could have been going to Denver or Kansas City!
My father’s plane was a new Luscombe 8E. All metal and sturdy, it boasted a continental engine that purred along at a neat 100 miles per hour from the efforts of the 85 horses stored in the four dependable cylinders up front. No big appetite for fuel either, and using a miserly four gallons per hour at less than 30 cents per gallon, it was a real bargain in transportation.
The pre-flight was quite simple and took all of about five minutes. Check the controls, drain the sump, check the oil, make sure no owls made a nest under the cowl, and it basically was time to get cranking.
Senate Introduces Sleep Apnea Bill
By Elizabeth A Tennyson, AOPA
GA supporters in the Senate on Jan. 16 introduced a measure that would compel the FAA to go through the rulemaking process before implementing any policy changes related to sleep disorders. The legislation was introduced by AOPA members Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), and co-sponsored by Sens. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) and Mike Johanns (R-Neb.). (Begich and Johanns co-chair the Senate GA Caucus and both Manchin and Inhofe are caucus members.)
The language in the Senate bill, S. 1941, mirrors that of H.R. 3578, introduced in November by House aviation subcommittee Chairman Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-Wash.). That bill passed the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Dec. 4, 2013, positioning it for a vote by the full House.
GAMA and NATA Applaud The Long-Awaited Repair Station Security Final Rule
The National Air Transportation Association welcomes the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) release of the long awaited Aircraft Repair Station Security regulation. The final rule appeared in the Jan. 13 Federal Register.
The regulation requires repair stations certificated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under 14 CFR Part 145 to comply with TSA security directives and implement security measures as directed by TSA. It also allows TSA and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials to conduct security inspections in these facilities. Most importantly the completion of this final rule will now lift the long-standing ban on certification of repair stations overseas.
“NATA is pleased to see the final TSA repair station security rule published. The completion of the final rule lifts the FAA’s moratorium on new foreign repair station certifications, allowing U.S. companies to expand MRO operations globally. This is a great boost to our aviation repair businesses, jobs and our nation’s economy,” said NATA President and CEO Thomas L. Hendricks.
“NATA commends the collaborative spirit of those who worked to see this rule through completion. The industry’s unity in its continual discussions with legislators and the Department of Homeland Security resulted in a positive outcome for all involved,” added Hendricks.
San Diego Air & Space Museum Mourns Loss of Jerry Coleman
Jerry Coleman standing in front jof the Museum’s F4U-7 corsair plane dedicated to him in 2011. The following statement is from Jim Kidrick, President & CEO of the San Diego Air & Space Museum on the passing of Jerry Coleman:
“We at the San Diego Air & Space Museum are saddened about the passing of our friend Colonel Jerry Coleman. From his unwavering loyalty to his nation as a Marine Corps Aviator to his dedication to the San Diego community, he was a true hero. We were fortunate to know Jerry and in 2011 the Museum inducted him into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame for his accomplishments in both WWII and the Korean War. The Museum’s F4U-7 Corsair bears his name and will forever remind us of his support, passion and friendship. We will miss you Jerry.”