No flying this week. March Madness has hit in the weather department, too. We’re under a winter storm warning tonight. We’ll see how well they do with the forecast. So far we have been in the shadow of the Sierras and have only had high winds in the valley while the mountain tops are getting feet of snow.
So, this week I finished that CFI renewal course and sent the paperwork on it’s way. At least I’ll be better prepared for the ordeal the next time.
And today was the release of ‘the new’ iPad. I broke down and got one – it was delivered this morning. After I got it set up near how I want it, I signed up for a year of the ForeFlight application and am now watching as the charts, diagrams and approach plates are being downloaded. I have a knee strap for it and already ordered the Dual Bluetooth GPS unit. I should be set up for moving map operation if I can figure out how to use all the capabilities of the application.
You can never have too many toys tools in the cockpit.
Here are some stories that you may have missed this week:
Aviation isn’t just about being a pilot
This article is from the Calgary Herald. When the attacks on 9/11 changed the course of commercial aviation, Barbara McLean-Stollery was just about to step into that career field. She was presented an opportunity to take over an aviation-related business. She changed course and persevered…
Nick is trying to help us remember the old airports
This is from the Chicago Tribune. Nick Selig is a retired airline mechanic and part-time flight instructor. He is attempting to write a book about the airports lost in the Chicago, IL area. He has stories about 25 of the 45 airports he will feature. A valiant effort to remind us of our aviation heritage…
Another chapter from Richard Taylor’s memoirs
Another installment published by AvWeb. I have linked to previous chapters of Dick Taylor’s memoirs. In this installment he relates experiences flying the KC-97 and deployments to North Africa and Greenland.
A great reason to get out and about – if you need one.
This is from the Bismarck (ND) Tribune. Deon Vilhauer saw the North Dakota Flying Legacy Passport Program as a way to give some direction to his personal flying. Now he has a nice new leather jacket for his efforts…
AOPA Defines What ‘March Madness’ Means to Aviators
This is from the website Airplanista, an effort by Dan Pimentel. Dan wrote an article about AOPA’s version of March Madness – the basketball competition that seems to be occupying a half dozen TV channels each day. AOPA has set up a similar competition pitting various aircraft types against each other. Take a look using the link at the bottom of Dan’s article. The first round has been completed and round two is underway…
Quora Post on Airplane Cockpits
This is from the Atlantic magazine. It is actually an article about an article. Quora, if you don’t already know, is a website similar to a cross between Wikipedia and a social media website. People ask questions and other people, provide answers. This article describes one of those answers to the question about what all those dials and switches in an airplane do. If you ever wondered – here is your answer… the link to the actual answer is the blue “sent an answer” text in the article.
Comments
2 responses to “Aviation Articles for March 16, 2012”
Great articles, as always. Thanks Tr.
And bonus points for getting your CFI renewal done. While you may not be bent on generating hours, your few students are fortunate to have and will benefit from an instructor with your broad experience. It was truly sad to hear about your unpleasant experience with the “J” company. I don’t know what happened, but it sounds like your experience was well outside their standards – and I hope that you followed up with them. Best wishes and Happy Landings, -C.
Craig,
I imagine that some time between my renewals they changed their policy to set a time limit on how long the course is active. They assumed that their customers would read their course description page and see the change the next time they purchased the course. A better course of action for them would have been to notify all of their current/past customers of the change. I have no recollection of that happening – I certainly wouldn’t have spent the money on the course when I did had I realized it expired so quickly.
I see that all of the course providers are doing the same thing. To me it changes the course from a true continuing education tool to a way to satisfy the minimum requirements at the latest possible time.
Thanks for the comments. The weather here is turning better and there appears to be a good-flying day window tomorrow. I’m going to try to take advantage of the opportunity.
Tracy