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What's Up?!
Heads Up! Attention on Ramp!
By Larry Shapiro
A few weeks ago, I got multiple phone calls from my friend Don Singer, a very respected member of the aviation community in southern California. He shared with me his great concern over an issue that was growing rapidly in his area. After hearing his story, I too shared his concerns and asked him to drop me a note spelling out the issues so that I might share them with you, here’s Don’s note”
“As per our conversation, winning the battle of Users fees is, of course, serious. But, the forgotten battle is where do we park our planes when we land. Transit parking has been lost at KCRQ (Carlsbad), KSNA (Santa Ana), KVNY (Van Nuys), and KSBA (Santa Barbara), which by the way are public use airports.
Kelly Johnson at the Lockheed “Skunk Works”
By Alan Smith
Clarence L. “Kelly” Johnson, a true genius of high performance aircraft design.Clarence L. “Kelly” Johnson was, without a doubt one of the most, if not the most prolific and ingenious aircraft designer in the worlds of both civil and military aviation. During his 50 years at Lockheed (now Lockheed-Martin) Aircraft Corporation, Johnson single-handedly designed and built ten high performance aircraft and participated in the design and building of 11 others. His own designs included the twin-engine P-38, which was the first 400 mph fighter, the XP-80, the first Air Force jet fighter, the F-104 Starfighter, and the U-2 and SR-71 reconnaissance aircraft. The XP-80 was designed and built in just 143 days!
The Pylon Place - October 2010
Reno 2010 Recap – Gone with the Wind…
By Marilyn Dash
The flags tell the story – a horrendous windstorm changes history (Joanne Murray)Have you ever looked forward to something, a once in a lifetime vacation perhaps – and when you can just about see the brass ring, you blink and it’s gone. Anticipation followed merely by disappointment is hard to reconcile.
That is how I felt after the Reno Air Races of 2010 came to a close. Mother Nature took the wind out of our sails and threw it back at us, with a vengeance. All of the preparation and handwringing ended, not with a crescendo – but with a whimper and a sigh.
Wings Over Pittsburgh Thrills Steel City Airshow Fans
By Hayman Tam
Thunderbirds four-ship diamond flies over Pittsburgh, PA. (Hayman Tam)The significance of September 11th was not lost on the minds of the airshow fans gathered that day in Pittsburgh to attend one of the largest airshows on the East Coast. This annual event is traditionally held on Father’s Day weekend to ensure good weather but after a one-year absence, organizers moved it to 9/11 with a strong patriotic theme.
Hosted by the 911th Airlift Wing, based at Pittsburgh Air Reserve Station, the “Wings Over Pittsburgh” two-day event drew record crowds this year. An estimated 175,000 folks got into Saturday’s Wings Over Pittsburgh show before the gates were closed, frustrating drivers who traveled from far and near only to be turned away when parking capacity in the local township of Moon was reached. Many fans ended up watching the performances from their cars stuck on the clogged highways. Another 120,000 fans showed up Sunday, with the Steelers football season opener helping to thin the crowds a bit.
NBAA's Convention Brings More Than Economic Benefits to Host City
With tens of thousands of Attendees, NBAA’s Annual Meeting & Convention brings an injection of economic activity to the event’s host city each year. This year, the 63rd Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2010) is expected to draw approximately 25,000 Attendees to Atlanta, GA.
The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) estimates the Attendees at NBAA2010 will provide a direct economic impact of $29 to $34 million to local businesses.
Record-Setting Wings Over Wine Country
By Hayman Tam
The Chinese-designed Nanchang CJ-6 first flew in 1958. (Hayman Tam)More than 24,000 airshow fans helped to make this year’s Wings Over Wine Country Airshow the best one put together by the Pacific Coast Air Museum (PCAM) in Santa Rosa, Calif. This two-day show takes place at Charles Schulz - Sonoma County Airport (STS) and has been the museum’s major fundraiser for 14 years. The cloudy skies cleared and the temperature was perfect, just right to put in earplugs and sunscreen and enjoy the festivities.
The flying got off to a small-scale start with exhibition flights of radio-control planes by local modelers. One memorable creation was a flying doghouse complete with Snoopy perched on top, gunning for the Red Baron.
The Flight of the Century: Lucky Lindy's Dark Side
Charles Lindbergh remains probably the most famous aviator in US History due in no small part to his historic and daring solo transatlantic flight in 1927. However Lindbergh’s racist tendencies open sympathy to the Nazis and poor record as a family man obviously complicates Lindbergh’s life and
Dennis Buehn Dominates the T-6 Class in 2010 and Gets the Gold
By Alan Smith
(Jerry Maxwell)Dennis Buehn of Carson City, flying his #43 Midnight Miss III practically owned the T-6 class in 2010. He won both Gold heat races the days before windy Sunday at speeds of 237.904 and 241.247 mph and was followed by John Zayak in his #37 McDonald Racer at 231.128 on Thursday and 234.927 on Saturday. Surprisingly, expected strong contender Nick Macy in his #6 Six Cat was disqualified on Saturday for a deadline cut at the start of Saturday’s heat race. And on Thursday he dropped out after one lap. I certainly was not the six time Gold winner’s year.
A Bird's Eye View of Northeastern Washinton State Via Triking
Trike landing. (Spokane Regional CVB)By Roy A. Barnes
When Denny Reed of Backcountry Aerosports www.trikeschool.com of Cheney, Washington was first introduced to a trike, his reaction was quite negative. He refused to set foot in what he deemed a “flying weedeater.” But as time has passed, Reed has become one of the Light Sport and Ultralight Aircrafts’ best human friends, taking willing flyers like myself up, up, and away in his $60,000 motorized and natural flying machine that has a 7:1 glide ratio. It reaches speeds of 40-60 mph, and has a 34-foot wingspan and 10-foot fuselage, plus a range of 270 miles. The experimental aircraft can be transported in a pick up and set up in 40 minutes.
What's Up?! - September 2010
So here’s the thing!
By Larry Shapiro
Larry ShapiroI know as you read this you will be thinking, has Shapiro gone nuts again? Naaah, it’s just that I have said this so many times I keep hoping it will stick. Semi-crashed or destroyed airplanes are worth more when parted out rather than fixing and trying to sell them.
I feel the same way about tired, worn out high-time trainers. When you pass 10,000 hours as a trainer, it might be time to head for the junkyard. The doors and wings are worth lots and as a rule, we won’t accept an airplane that old to sell and especially to a zero-time buyer. If some high-time dude wants one, that’s a different story. He’ll know what he’s getting into. As the saying goes, “Ya gotta know when to fold them” before they fold.
Pancho Barnes Legend is Committed to Film With Pancho Barnes and The Happy Bottom Riding Club
By S. Mark Rhodes
The great Pancho at the peak of her profane glory. (Courtesy of the Pancho Barnes Trust Estate)If there was ever a figure worthy of cult status in the aviation world, that individual must be Florence “Pancho” Barnes. Barnes is probably best known as a character in Tom Wolfe’s The Right Stuff as well as the film version (played by Kim Stanley). The time frame of the book and especially the film pick up at a point in Barnes’ life where she is the owner and operator of the “Happy Bottom Riding Club.” The HBRC was basically a saloon out in the middle of the Mohave Dessert, which catered to the flyers at Muroc Field (later Edwards Air Force Base) who happened to be some of the finest and most legendary test pilots of the time like Chuck Yeager, Scott Crosffield and Buzz Aldrin. Barnes held court at this raucous bar and “dude ranch” for many years helping provide emotional and libational support to this elite group of aviators.
The recently released Pancho Barnes and the Happy Bottom Riding Club (Nick Spark Productions) helps give a full picture of Barnes that has only been hinted at in The Right Stuff. Barnes grew up in a kind of blue blood family in Pasadena, California where she was expected to become a society lady like her mother. This was not to be as the young Florence showed an adventuresome streak that was at considerable odds with her mom’s idea of how a young woman should conduct herself in public.
Thunder Over Michigan 2010: A Fast Flight Back In Time
By Mike Heilman
Texas Raider was one of the eight B-17Gs to fly at the Thunder Over Michigan air show. (Mike Heilman)The ramp is full of B-17s waiting to launch for their next mission. It sounds like August 1944, but it is August 2010. There were eight B-17G Flying Fortresses that took part in the Yankee Air Museum’s 12th annual air show, “Thunder over Michigan.” The two-day event was held Aug. 7-8 at the Willow Run Airport, Ypsilanti, Michigan.
The theme for this year’s show was “Gathering of Fortress & Legends.” Show organizers billed the event as the world’s largest gathering of World War II heavy bombers and veteran aircrew and maintainers since the end of the war. The B-17, B-24 and B-25 heavy bombers all were a part of the show. Also, the show hosted several former World War II crewmembers. The veterans were available for air show spectators to meet and thank for their service.
How to Maintain Your Engine
By Bill Middlebrook
(Bill Middlebrook is President and CEO of Penn Yan Aero. He is the third generation Middlebrook to own and operate the 65-year-old independent aircraft engine facility. Bill is an expert and authority on Lycoming and Continental aircraft engines.)
If you take care of your engine, your engine will take care of you. Here’s what you need to do and why:
First, take a look at your engine and its surroundings under the cowl. Is it clean? If not, clean it up so that you can properly evaluate what you have. Is there evidence of leaking oil or carbon deposits from leaking exhaust gaskets? Are there blue stains around fuel components or intake pipes? Are there any noticeable cracks? Does the baffle seal look worn or is it pliable and sealing correctly? Is there any loose hardware or loose components? Are there any frayed cables or wires? Make a list of issues and concerns. Whether you do the service, or not, this will help you keep track of who is responsible to resolve issues.
Fly with a Snowmobile Engine?
Rethinking the Rotax 912
By Ed Downs
Long used in U. S. experimental aircraft and many certified European aircraft, the Rotax 912 has become the almost-standard engine of choice for S-LSA aircraft designers. But, ask most American pilots about flying behind a Rotax, and you get the “What, me fly with a snowmobile engine?” question followed by a wide-eye look of horror when told that the 912 delivers its maximum rated 100 horsepower at 5800 rpm. Most simply equate the name Rotax with the famed two stroke engines of the Ski-Doo snowmobile and Sea-Doo watercraft. Many conclude that the Rotax 912 is simply a variation of its well-known two-stroke counterparts. Nothing could be further from reality.
Astronaut For A Day: STS 132 and the Ship Atlantis
By Pete Trubucco
From Left to right MS Garrett Reisman, Shuttle Pilot Tony Antonelli, Pete Trabucco, Commander Ken Ham, MS Michael GoodAs a pilot and space fanatic, I have always followed our NASA space program closely and secretly hoped that one day that I would be able to work with these astronauts in space. Of course this could never really occur but a funny thing did happen to me on my way to Houston (and Johnson Space Center) not too long ago. As we all know, the end of the Space Shuttle program is right around the corner. Due to budget cuts, it looks like after the final mission is scheduled for next June and the program will truly be concluded. However on a faithful day in March, I did get to play “astronaut in training” with these star voyages and I can tell you, not many things that I have done can top this experience.
As the Space Shuttle Atlantis was scheduled for its last flight, I got a call from the NASA front office saying if I were able to get down to Houston, I would be in for a real treat. The flight that was up next was designated as STS 132 and the ship Atlantis was scheduled for liftoff (from pad 34A) on May 14, 2010. This flight marked the 32nd and (at the time) final flight for Atlantis closing almost a quarter century of service for NASA and our manned space program.
Sport Flying With In Flight USA - August 2010
LSA’s Sprout Technology
By Ed Downs
Most readers of this column know by now that the S-LSA category of airplane evolved from the low tech world of ultra light designs. Some 6 years after the birth of LSA, one has to look hard to see the simplicity of its origin. Airframes have become increasingly sophisticated, and avionics packages are beginning to challenge big buck machines. A first timer renting or buying the typical S-LSA will be surprised upon entering a cockpit that looks more like an F-22 than single engine sport plane. Now, that sounds pretty exciting, but let’s take a look at who that “first timer” might actually be.
What's Up!?
Let’s start with some thing really nice, again!
July has passed and the sound of fireworks has ceased, but the lingering aroma of dirty diapers is still wafting around my home and office. It takes a little getting use to, but in the end (no pun intended), it was worth it. Two glorious weeks of unanswerable questions, bibs, pacifiers and a mountain of dirty formula bottles and fingerprints on my glasses; this would be the joy of grandparenting. And to think I thought maintenance hangars were dirty… no more.
It’s about time!
Inspiration Chino Air Museum: Evolution Of The Mustang
At Planes Of Fame you can view their rare airworthy P-51A 43-6251 named Mrs. Virginia, while A-36A 42-83731 has just been restored to flight for owner Tom Friedkin by Fighter Rebuilders.
The Pylon Place - June 2010
Chino, Madera and PRS Preview:
Planes of Fame Does it Again
By Marilyn Dash
Mustangs and more Mustangs. (Jason Fisher)The Planes of Fame Airshow gets better every year. Each year we turn to each other at the end and say, “That was the best ever, how will they ever outdo that!” But, the following year, they do.
This year was the salute to “The Greatest Generation” and it was quite a salute. Jonna Doolittle Hoppes led panel discussions with the following veterans: Maj. General John “Johnny” Alison (the “father” of Air Force Special Operations, WWII ace, and Korean War veteran); Clarence “Bud” Anderson (P-51 “Old Crow” triple ace in WWII); Col. John Doolittle (WWII and Korean War veteran); Bill Holloman (Tuskegee Airman P-51 pilot); Huie Lamb (P-47 and P-51 pilot); Wilbur Richardson (B-17 ball turret gunner, Purple Heart recipient); William “Bill” Spengler (P-51 “Buzzin Cuzzin”). This panel discussion was broadcast over the speaker system while many of the visitors walked the Airshow grounds to see the aircraft.
What's Up!?
Don’t Assume
By Larry Shapiro
As a child I remember folks telling me to never assume anything because it makes an ass out of you and me! Now, a ton of years later it still holds true. I hear “I assumed this and that” time after time and no one seems to heed the words and learn the lesson. Drum role please … I’m as guilty as I’m sure many of you are. How many times have you asked for directions, whether or not the food is good at the Road Kill Café, or whether the dude wrenching on your bird of paradise is a licensed and insured mechanic. One more assumption that’s a real pain … don’t assume you don’t need to get it in writing; you do!