Airventure 2011 at Oshkosh!
August 13, 2011Podapalozza at Airventure 2011!
July 29, 2011Hi gang. Thursday night, July 28, 2011, aviation podcasters from around the world met at Airventure 2011 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin for Podapalooza 2011! Along with the audio and video podcasters there were fans and general hangers-on (hangars-on?) like me! The event was simulcast by LiveATC.com for podcast fans around the world and the Twitter stream was alive with comments!
The event was graciously hosted by Sennheiser at their very well-appointed tent. Below are a few photos from the event.
Sennheiser was the host location for this evening event. Nice digs, and lots of people!
Airventure is about new and old friends. Met and reaquainted with many, like Milford Shirley of “FlightTime Radio” (red shirt with the devilish smirk) and Grant and Steve from “Plane Crazy Down Under” ( wearing black shirts left of Milford, they’re Australian, mate). So many good people, but too many names to remember, and I blame it all on the Jeremiah Weed (whiskey) samples being passed around…
The party got so rowdy, the cops came. Ok, it wasn’t the real cops. It was a prop car announcing Da Blooze Bros, performing at the Ford stage at Airventure. Cool car, and dig the HUGE speaker on top. A hit!
I’m sure each of the podcasters will have their own stories and pictures to post, but I wanted to get something out there as well.
Thanks for the invite!!
New Garmin GTN 650 Avionics!
July 10, 2011Avgas Price Gouging? Yes!
November 28, 2008Ok, I am convinced that someone is feasting on bloated avgas prices. In a prior post, I noted the difference between the falling automobile/mogas prices compared to avgas prices that are stubbornly sticking near their all-time highs. Other folks are noticing this as well, as reported in “Air Time with Carol Legg“.
It has not gotten any better, in fact, it’s worse! The gap between avgas and mogas is wider than it has ever been. What is going on? Who are lining their pockets with avgas profits?
Where is AOPA?
This is a major flying cost issue for small GA operators. Every AOPA member should be emailing AOPA and asking them to get involved in getting control of avgas prices!
Proof? Topped off this week at KSEE after a local Southern California flight. Self-serve 100LL was $4.59 per gallon, only a few cents a gallon cheaper than a month ago ($4.77). Meanwhile, mogas is now widely selling for below $2.00 per gallon. So I am paying far more, on a percentage basis, for each gallon of avgas.
Checked with the 100LL.com fuel price search, and it still shows all of the airports in the area with avgas prices well over $4.00 per gallon. So there appears to be an organized effort to keep avgas high, at our expense.
Will I keep flying? Absolutely! But I’m going to keep watching avgas prices and KSEE will not seeing my business until prices come back to earth.
Avgas Price Gouging?
October 24, 2008Why are avgas prices still holding near their all-time highs, while automobile gasoline prices continue to free-fall to near last year’s prices?
Are we being gouged by avgas?
Just updated my fuel price service, 100LL.com, part of my Control Vision Anywhere Map subscription. At my home field, the price of self-serve avgas is $5.28 per gallon. According to the fuel pricing service, the national average is $5.08 (updated as of 10/23/2008. Meanwhile, local low grade auto gasoline, mogas, is running about $3.15 a gallon, and some of the cheapest outlets are slipping below the $3 level. That a 60% difference in price between avgas and mogas.
Ok, I understand all about avgas being a niche product produced in small quantities, needing special handling and shipping because of the lead content, and the price change lag (both up and down) because of fewer flight hours requiring longer to consume supplies bought at higher prices.
Avweb has an editorial about this, but basically says the FBO business is difficult, so grin and pay the prices. Nope. AOPA needs to get involved in this.
In the meantime, I’ll continue to use 100LL.com to avoid the FBOs who insist on holding the higher prices.
TSA Damages Airliners! Another reason to Fly GA!
August 24, 2008Here’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!
Fed Up With TSA? Become Your Own Pilot!
January 1, 2008A 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!

Posted by brianflys 





