August 24, 2008
Here’s another reason to skip the airlines and fly General Aviation. The next airliner you get on could be damaged and made unairworthy by none other than TSA! I’ve previously written about the top 10 reasons to skip the airlines and fly yourself on general aviation. But this new reason may save your life!
Yes, that’s right, TSA is now damaging airliners! This week, an ignorant TSA inspector damaged and made unairworthy 9 airliners at Chicago O’Hare airport. Nine aircraft damaged (fortunately this damage was discovered by observant pilots) and over 40 flights delayed while the damaged equipment was replaced. Why was this done? To see whether someone could get into the airplanes. Not by steps and doors…but “spiderman” style. A TSA inspector used aircraft equipment as…monkey bars!…in an attempt to climb into the aircraft. Keep in mind that TSA did not report the damage they caused, so what might have happened if they damaged equipment that was not discovered before the flight………?
= 
But of course, TSA was apologetic about this incredibly stupid act, disciplined the inspector, and said this would never happen again…..right? WRONG! Instead, they are defending the inspector, blaming the airline for lack of security (because by damaging the planes, they could get access to 7 aircraft). Worse, although they have supposedly provided some additional training to its inspectors, TSA continues to encourage its inspectors to look for and exploit such “vulnerabilities”.
So while you worry about the terrorist threat against air carrier travel…you now need to add the ignorant, self-righteous, virtually unregulated staff of the TSA. Do you know who’s been climbing on and digging through the sensitive equipment on your airliner?
Fly your own airplane and avoid this madness! Cheers!
2 Comments | 
Aviation | Tagged: Aviation, pilot, airplane, TSA, general aviation, airline, damaged aircraft, TSA inspector | 
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Posted by brianflys
August 1, 2008
Short post today. See my other posts from Airventure 2008 at Oshkosh: Find them here, here, here.
The flightline is very active (and the spectator area is very busy at airshow time.) Been here a good part of the week and finally starting to feel I’ve seen a good part of the show. But there are still surprises, particularly when the shuttle buses take different routes and I discover new areas to visit! Some of the sights on the flightline:
U-2 Spyplane
V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor
Jam-packed flightline. Weekend will be even more jammed.
Also spent some “quality time” at the Seaplane Base, just south of the main Oshkosh airport. This lagoon on Lake Winnebago is owned by a local farmer and airplanes only operate there for the week of Airventure. Shady and compact, but quite busy little area. I highly recommend spending some time there.
Seaplane Base at Oshkosh
One of the latest things at Oshkosh is the “Fly-In Theater” where they are playing aviation-themed movies every night (tonight is “Broken Arrow“, starring (and the film introduced by) John Travolta. I’ll avoid DMCA concerns and only show the 5-story inflatable screen they use for the movies. Very cool, actually. Even free popcorn!
- Fly-In Theater screen at Airventure 2008
I’ve been posting using my EVDO wireless card, so cannot upload large files like video. When I get back to an area with real high speed access, I’ll work on posting some sample videos on YouTube.
Cheers!
1 Comment | 
Aviation | Tagged: flying, pilot, airplane, Oshkosh, Airventure, airplanes, U-2, V-22, Osprey, Broken Arrow, John Travolta, Seaplane | 
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Posted by brianflys
July 30, 2008
Lots of time (and miles) in the last couple of days looking at planes at Airventure 2008 at Oshkosh. I can believe there are 10,000 planes here.
First two Airventure 2008 installments are here and here.
Here’s a TINY sample of what I saw that struck my eye, anyway.
RVs. Not recreation vehicles, but homebuilt aircraft from kits by Vans Aircraft. Hundreds, maybe a thousand of them! The largest is the RV-10 a relatively new 4-seater. And there were rows and rows of just RV-10s; some unpainted and looking like they just finished the last rivet, and others looking pristine in perfect paint, avionics and interiors.
Yeah, there are a huge number of the other kind of RVs (land-yachts) at Airventure too. But you can see them anywhere.
How about the Boeing Dreamlifter. This is one big damn airplane, filling Aeroshell Square the days it was at the show.
The Red Bull Helicopter, used on the worldwide circuit of the Red Bull Airraces, putting on amazing displays of aerobatics that virtually no other copter can attempt.
Rows and rows of virtually any kind of airplane. From warbirds like P-51s. More than you could imagine. And civilian aircraft; not just current planes, but classics like the Cessna 195. Again, rows and rows of them. Almost all in pristine condition too.
How about your own personal Jetson jetpack? That is, a Martin Jet Pack. Flew for a couple of minutes (up to 6 ft high, and tethered per FAA requirements). Only $100K for your very own.
More weird stuff. And haven’t even gotten to the Fly Market yet! Saw this PETA nightmare of a prop cover. The vendor was selling airplane floats, but the “prop-pelts” sure drew some attention.
Finally, tons of formation flying (interested in this because I’ve started formation training, maybe to participate at OSH next year). Lots of formations. Warbirds (US and overseas aircraft) and warbird wannabees (apparently RVs love formation flying…) Some better than others. So much formation flying (good and not-so-good) that it would fill its own DVD.
More soon. Cheers!
2 Comments | 
Aviation | Tagged: flying, pilot, Grumman, airplane, EAA, Oshkosh, Airventure, Cessna, Boeing, Vans Aircraft, Martin Jet Pack, Red Bull, helicopter, P-51, warbird, formation flying | 
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Posted by brianflys
July 29, 2008
Hi Grumman owners, pilots, and fans! At Airventure 2008 (Oshkosh) today, there was a forum for Grumman owners hosted by Greg Erikson, that included an update from Kevin Lancaster of True Flight Aerospace and a maintenance presentation led by John Sjaardema of Excel-Air Services. Also an update on a couple of Grumman STC projects such as his new cowling by Gary Vogt of AUCounty Aviation.
Kevin was able to get an exhibit spot at Oshkosh (#52) so be sure and visit if you are planning to attend Airventure. He provided an update on Tiger production, with installation of production lines into their building scheduled to start in a couple of weeks.
True Flight Aerospace at Airventure 2008
After discussing some serious potential maintenance issues with our aging Grumman airplanes, John displayed a couple of new items related to the front air vents (where you currently have those vintage, usually broken, automobile design louvered vent openings). He has a replacement vent insert that includes 2 eyeball vents that pop right into existing opening. John said the price was about $80 for a set of pilot and copilot sides. Contact him if you want them.
More interesting is a prototype John has developed that replaces the entire air vent plenum box on each side below the instrument panel. This is still a prototype and John wants to know if there is interest among Grumman owners to purchase these replacement vent boxes. Here’s a shot of the prototype hot off the Oshkosh forum today:
What is pictured is a right-hand side vent with the narrow end that matches up with the ventilation opening in the fuselage. It will have two eyeball vents as shown that close tightly (for you cold-weather pilots). This lightweight design will just snap into place beneath the outer edges of the instrument panel. And it opens up the area below the instrument panel for more leg room or for you and your A&P to install a supplemental panel for switches or instruments that people are now installing in the air plemun boxes (and subject to dirt and moisture). If you are interested in these new boxes, contact John directly at his website above, or leave a message on the AYA Maintenance Forum, or use the Grumman Gang email system to make your thoughts known.
Thanks, John for this innovation. Also thanks to Kevin, Gary, Erik, and all the folks who participated in the forum today.
2 Comments | Aviation | Tagged: pilot, Grumman, Tiger, airplane, Oshkosh, Airventure, True Flight Aerospace, Excel-Air, AUCountry, AYA | Permalink
Posted by brianflys
April 16, 2008
How do we grow General Aviation, making more people “Hog Wild for Flying“? A local billboard advertisement got me thinking about how we promote Flying versus other activities.
Here’s a perfect opportunity to share the excitement of General Aviation. But will that happen?
The Red Bull Air Race World Series is coming back to San Diego in May. Last year the air races attracted about 50,000 people in San Diego. Likely more will come this year. Lots of media covering the event. Lots of attractive young people promoting the title sponsor beverage.
So where will General Aviation be at this event? Of course these are GA aerobatic planes, but I mean our kind of GA. Plane manufacturers, equipment and suppliers, FBOs, Schools, Clubs, Organizations. Are any of you planning to be there…to get exposure to 50,000+ people who want to see fast planes? I don’t recall seeing any GA presence at the air races in 2007.
Nor is there a GA promotion presence at the MCAS Miramar Air Show every October, where the 3-day attendance is on the order of half a million people. Ok, maybe one local flying club C-172 on static display, with a couple of sunburned volunteers braving the roasting windswept distant transient ramp. But no real effort to promote GA.
Now, contrast this with NASCAR.
Say what you will about the “good ol’ boy” atmosphere of the participants, fans, and most everything else about NASCAR. They DO bring in the people, media and the automotive industry. Plus a whole lot of other industries that love the exposure, starting with the colorful logos plastered all over the cars and drivers.
Every major vehicle manufacturer is there. Every major supplier. Racing schools. Most anything that has wheels finds a way to get there. Oh yeah, how about home improvement, candy, and cereal to name a few other prominent products. And this excitement breeds excitement by the fans. They love their cars, drivers, and all the logo apparel and paraphenalia that goes with the NASCAR culture. It’s a COMMUNITY, carefully nurtured to the benefit of the sponsors as well as the fans. And the media and entertainment industry eat this up, with all kinds of shows built around racing. All this excitement brings many new fans and sponsors every year. It’s not perfect and there are other issues that limit NASCAR’s growth, but there is a core strength in the COMMUNITY.
There are lessons to be learned here, GA. It’s all about the excitement of a vibrant community. Rewarding for the participants, and enticing for newcomers.
What should our community look like?
More to come…
2 Comments | Aviation | Tagged: Aviation, flying, San Diego, airplane, general aviation, Red Bull Air Race, NASCAR, air racing, racing, Miramar air show, Detroit | Permalink
Posted by brianflys
January 4, 2008
I’ve been comparing flying to riding motorcycles in terms of popularity, attitude, and social environment, to understand why more people are not drawn to private flying.
Recently, I came upon several articles about motorcycle and aviation safety. The results may suggest how we communicate private flying to the population of potential pilots and aircraft owners. It turns out that the safety trends for motorcycles and GA flying are diverging.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcycle fatalities are climbing, particularly for over-40 age riders. In 2006, fatalities increased overall by 5% over 2005, while fatalities for riders aged 40-49 and 50-59 increased 7.5% and 10% (fatalities for riders aged 20-29 also increased 10%). These older riders have achieved business success, raised families, and now want the excitement and feeling that comes from freedom, speed, the open road, and the social environment provided by riding motorcycles. But this experience on generally heavier, more powerful bikes comes at a price for the older, slower healing bodies.
In contrast, the 2006 general aviation safety statistics in the Nall Report show continued improvements in both total and fatal accident rates. In 2006, total accident numbers dropped by 8.3%, fatal accidents dropped by 6.5%, and total fatalities decreased by 2%. Single engine, fixed gear aircraft, 2/3 of the GA fleet, showed substantial safety improvement, with total accidents dropping 11.3% and fatal accidents dropping 22.4%. While it can be argued that any fatality is too many, the trend continues in a positive direction. The danger signal though, is that flying activity continues to drop. Accident and fatality rates are dropping, but so are the flying hours.
So which is safer; GA flying or motorcycles? That’s a loaded question. Objective comparisons are difficult since GA flying is measured in flying hours and motorcycle riding is measured in miles traveled. Converting hours to miles involve speed assumptions that are likely targets for criticism. What average speed do you assume for GA aircraft with average cruise speeds that range from sub-100 mph up to over 500 mph? Even assuming speeds at the lower end of this range shows GA flying to have far lower fatality rates than motorcycles. But it’s still a difficult comparison because the operating environment and accident facts are so different. That said, GA flying is relatively safer and the safety margin is increasing compared with riding motorcycles.
But can flying provide the visceral satisfaction that is found in riding motorcycles, so participants are able to enjoy this safety premium? There is certainly an aspect of freedom once you get off the ground (no traffic lanes, still areas of uncontrolled airspace). There is speed. There is also a 3rd dimension that can be fully explored via aerobatics. And there is community, although this is one area that needs work. So we have some of this also working for us.
The goal here is not to lure away everyone who rides. Certain traits make people better candidates to be pilots, and we want to attract those folks. Can we learn from other successful activities, what attracts the participants, and where does GA flying have benefits or have deficiencies that can be overcome so we grow but remain safe?
Safety is one area where we accel (and where we continue to focus efforts). How can we use this comparative benefit to get new participants….hog wild for flying?
3 Comments | Aviation | Tagged: Aviation, flying, pilot, airplane, Harley, motorcycles, FAA, Safety, AOPA, NHTSA | Permalink
Posted by brianflys
January 1, 2008
A very enlightened post in the New York Times blog “Jet Lagged“ focuses the bright, harsh light of reality on the highly questionable reasons for and procedures implementing security forced upon the traveling public by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Patrick Smith, an air carrier pilot and author, describes in The Airport Security Follies, how the current passenger screening practices are “irrational, wasteful, and pointless.” For example, he explains why screening passengers for sharp objects is basically a waste of time:
In years past, a takeover meant hostage negotiations and standoffs; crews were trained in the concept of “passive resistance.” All of that changed forever the instant American Airlines Flight 11 collided with the north tower. What weapons the 19 men possessed mattered little; the success of their plan relied fundamentally on the element of surprise. And in this respect, their scheme was all but guaranteed not to fail.
For several reasons — particularly the awareness of passengers and crew — just the opposite is true today. Any hijacker would face a planeload of angry and frightened people ready to fight back. Say what you want of terrorists, they cannot afford to waste time and resources on schemes with a high probability of failure. And thus the September 11th template is all but useless to potential hijackers.
Smith also covers the questionable basis of the infamous 3-1-1 Rule and the positively silly practice of screening air carrier pilots and cabin crew in the same manner as the public.
Unfortunately, wrapped in its patriotic cloak of anti-terror, TSA is operating virtually without oversight, with broad powers and a heavy hammer for anyone who questions their methods or motives: the dreaded No-Fly List. Will this Absolute Power Corrupt Absolutely? Has it already?
More importantly, can you avoid this senseless drill, but still get to work/vacation/home? In many cases, YES, you can. The answer? Be your own pilot. Yes, the cost and time investment is relatively high for someone who currently is not a pilot. But increasingly I see and hear other professionals who have thrown off the shackles of TSA screening and airline abuse to fly themselves. I gladly incur the added cost and personal responsibility of being my own pilot in exchange for avoiding TSA and the airlines. In many cases, by avoiding the need to arrive at the airport hours early for screening, avoiding airline delays, using airports closer to my destination, and getting a free shuttle ride, courtesy car, rental car or taxi from the FBO (rather than waiting for baggage, the rental car shuttle, renting a car…) there is no time penalty for trips up to about 500 miles using a piston single airplane. And the trip itself? Priceless!
Through programs such as the industry-sponsored ”Be A Pilot” you can find the resources you need to learn to fly. The cost? If you can afford a Harley, BMW, bass boat, or RV, you should have little trouble budgeting flying lessons. Depending on your company’s travel policies, you could even have most or all of your flying cost covered. Of course, if you are the boss, the decision is yours! It’s not the answer for everyone. But if you are motivated (and that is why you are successful, eh?) it is something to consider.
Wave “Bye” to the airline terminal as you taxi past for departure in your plane (even if it’s a rental), on your own schedule, as pilot in command. Oh, and with your own toothpaste, shampoo, drinking water, and maybe even a pair of scissors!
1 Comment | Aviation | Tagged: Aviation, pilot, airplane, airlines, TSA, Transportation Security Administration, New York Times, Jet Lagged, air carrier, anti-terror | Permalink
Posted by brianflys
December 28, 2007
I’ve written about FAA’s slaughter of the “WINGS” program for pilot proficiency. It dies officially on December 31, 2007. I just received my last Wings certificate, Level 4. Of course FAA neglected to send the actual wings that I earned.
Today, more proof that the so-called replacement program is worthless.
I received an email today from FAA Safety, saying I have 1.0 Accredited Activity ”credit ajustment” [sic]. So what is it? Went to the new/”Plucked Wings” site to see. It’s virtually impossible to tell what this is (in fact, there appear to be two identical credits…) Everything is in FAA code. No real course/seminar names or dates.
And the recurrent training flights I’ve been trying to get credit for since summer? Catch 22! I cannot apply for the credit unless I list a validator (because we pilots are habitual liers, you know). Well, my instructor still has not signed up for this program (I even had to send him the link because he never heard of the program). He’s the only one who can validate the training. And I cannot request credit without listing a validator. He has not signed up. So I’m stuck.
And this is one of MANY big problems with the Plucked Wings program. Under the old program, I had a card that got signed off by a real instructor for each activity, when I did the flight (before I wrote him the check). Then I copied the card and mailed it to the FAA, always retaining my own record. I had control.
With Plucked Wings, there is no card. It’s all in the FAA database and my instructor has not signed up, so there is essentially no record of this training. Since he has not signed up, do I stop payment on the check? It’s all far too complicated.
So, farewell and RIP: “WINGS”. Good riddance: Plucked Wings.
1 Comment | Aviation | Tagged: airplane, Aviation, FAA, flying, pilot, Safety, Wings | Permalink
Posted by brianflys
December 6, 2007
Yes. FAA clipped our “Wings.”
Wings? FAA’s “Pilot Proficiency Award Program“. I’m at Level 4. I’ve earned a distinctive FAA wings lapel pin (official FAA issue, not crap from a novelty store) for each level, plus an FAA certificate attesting to each level. Plus it satisfies the biennial flight review requirement. There are 20 Wings levels that can be earned at 12-month intervals. But it all ends on December 31, 2007.
Now I’m not saying the Wings program was perfect. There’s lots of room for improvement, including the recognition aspect. Any good management reference will tell you that performance is greatly enhanced by recognition. The military has medals and rank, the corporate world has titles and perks, and professional pilots have their wings. But the little FAA “Wings” program lapel pins may not have resonated with some pilots, so it may have been one reason the Wings program is not as widely used as FAA Safety people would like. Did anyone ask us what might be more effective? Anyone? Anyone?
Also, some people (like the insurance industry) were concerned that more specific guidance was needed for the knowledge and flight instruction aspects of the program. So Wings can be improved, but it does work.
Pilots who used the Wings program were safer, having attended safety seminars and flying at least 3 hours with an instructor (covering a set of specific task areas) to earn each level. Of course, this program requires an actual FAA human being to review and approve the applications and send out the wings and certificates. Horrors! Actually providing a service directly to pilots? Can’t be spending FAA money on staff time actually looking at pilot accomplishments and mailing out certificates and pins!
Solution? FAA kills the Wings program.
Of course, in a move reminiscent of the movie “Body Snatchers”, FAA slipped in a lifeless, soulless, pod that they are calling the new Wings program. The new official name is ”Pilot Proficiency Program“. Didja notice they dropped “Award” from the name?
So now we have the new, lame, completely-without-a-pulse ”Wings”. Lots of mind-numbing on-line processes and registered instructor validation (because FAA doesn’t trust us, of course). A complicated system of knowledge and flight tasks and timelines. Would make the IRS proud. And what do you get with this new program? To quote FAA, “…the added level of safety and professionalism…” Safety is its own reward, doncha know?
They did simplify one thing. Instead of 20 levels, there are now three phases: “Basic”, “Advanced”, and “Master.” Maintain the Basic phase, and it satisfies the biennial flight review requirement. No certificate (unless you print one yourself). No wings. Nothing except a database record somewhere at FAA.
Satisfy the “Advanced” phase and you get……Nothing! Satisfy the top “Master” phase and you get……Nothing! Again! But more of it. Huh?
Wow. You can just feel the air being sucked out of the program. Instead of promoting and improving a program that worked, FAA basically killed it. They gutted a program that really improved pilot safety. And it killed one opportunity to provide some recognition, some sizzle, some light to pilots and the GA community.
Hey FAA, bring back the REAL Wings Program!!!
No Comments » | Aviation | Tagged: airplane, Aviation, FAA, flying, pilot, travel, Wings | Permalink
Posted by brianflys
November 23, 2007
Instead of vegging in front of the TV watching football on Thanksgiving, I decided to take a quick flight and shoot some aerial photos. The sun had finally burned off the marine layer clouds we get here in San Diego (low-level stratus clouds). But there was still a pretty thick haze layer, probably a remnant of the fires of October and that didn’t bode too well for photos. But what the heck, I figured it would be a good time to practice with sun angles and settings on the camera. Flew the VFR Corridor west of the downtown area, and did get a couple of shots of the waterfront area. The haze affected the sharpness and color saturation of the picures, but I was able to tweak a couple of them so they are ok for smaller images like on a web page. This is about as bad air conditions as I would want to have to deal with. Here’s a sample:
Of course, having some scattered clouds just at the point of burning off makes for some interesting pictures as well. Here is Newport Beach, where I am just above the remaining clouds when this picture was shot.
No Comments » | Aviation | Tagged: Aviation, flying, pilot, San Diego, aerial photos, photo, airplane, photography, Newport Beach | Permalink
Posted by brianflys
