The Lets Fly WA web site is back up and running.
The main page can be found at LetsFlyWA and the blog is located at LetsFlyWA Blog .
You will be forwarded in a moment but for a better experience, please update your links.
Thank you and Fly Safe!
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Seaplanes on Lake Spenard Alaska
I was out and about today so I thought that I would swing by Lake Spenard and watch some seaplanes do their thing.
For those of you that don't know, Lake Spenard and Lake Hood are joined by a canal and form one of if not the largest seaplane base in the world. They average 190 takes off a day according to Airnav.com and has a 10 year waiting list for a spot to park your seaplane.
I hope you enjoy the video, its only a couple of minutes and was filmed from my camera phone but I enjoyed my time watching the show and thought you might like to see some of it as well.
Fly safe!
For those of you that don't know, Lake Spenard and Lake Hood are joined by a canal and form one of if not the largest seaplane base in the world. They average 190 takes off a day according to Airnav.com and has a 10 year waiting list for a spot to park your seaplane.
I hope you enjoy the video, its only a couple of minutes and was filmed from my camera phone but I enjoyed my time watching the show and thought you might like to see some of it as well.
Fly safe!
Saturday, July 09, 2011
General Aviation in California is under attack
The Center for Environmental Health is attempting to sue fuel suppliers and fixed base operators (FBO) that sell 100LL aviation fuel. The lawsuit states that FBO's failed to notify those living in the areas surrounding airports that the airplanes flying overhead used leaded fuel and posed a health risk.
They are trying to halt the sale of aviation fuel, require a cleanup of contaminated drinking water and other penalties.
If this is allowed to happen, all piston powered flight in the state would cease. AOPA, GAMA the EAA and others are attempting to block this lawsuit to allow continued operations while the FAA and EPA continue to develop new standards and approve new fuels to replace the current leaded fuel while ensuring the longevity of piston engines and safety of flight in the piston powered fleet.
Follow this story on the NATA web site.
They are trying to halt the sale of aviation fuel, require a cleanup of contaminated drinking water and other penalties.
If this is allowed to happen, all piston powered flight in the state would cease. AOPA, GAMA the EAA and others are attempting to block this lawsuit to allow continued operations while the FAA and EPA continue to develop new standards and approve new fuels to replace the current leaded fuel while ensuring the longevity of piston engines and safety of flight in the piston powered fleet.
Follow this story on the NATA web site.
German electric motor glider sets the standard
The University of Stuttgart modified a lightweight motor-glider with an 80 hp electric motor and a 56 kilowatt hour (kw) power pack in preparation for entry in to the NASA/CAFE Green Flight Challenge.
The eGenius, as it is known, was able to fly with 2 adults for a little over 2 hours at speeds in excess of 100 miles an hour with electricity to spare.
With advancements like this, the future of General Aviation will be an exciting one!
The eGenius, as it is known, was able to fly with 2 adults for a little over 2 hours at speeds in excess of 100 miles an hour with electricity to spare.
With advancements like this, the future of General Aviation will be an exciting one!
Friday, July 08, 2011
LightSquared blames legacy GPS for interferance
I'm sure that by now we've all heard about the LightSquared plan to provide WiFi service nationwide. While this sounds like a great idea, the problem with their plan is the fact that the bandwidth that the FCC has granted them surrounds the range of GPS signals.
If LightSquared used low power signals like GPS does, there would be few if any issues but the WiFi signal strength is so powerful when compared to GPS that it causes major interference.
The GPS signals that are at risk of being rendered unreliable are the same ones that guide all different types of aircraft, ships at sea and every type of military operation.
Watch the video below for some more information about the current situation.
If LightSquared used low power signals like GPS does, there would be few if any issues but the WiFi signal strength is so powerful when compared to GPS that it causes major interference.
The GPS signals that are at risk of being rendered unreliable are the same ones that guide all different types of aircraft, ships at sea and every type of military operation.
Watch the video below for some more information about the current situation.
Inadvertent flight in to IMC by a VFR pilot
All VFR only pilots are aware of the dangers of inadvertent flight in to IMC conditions and receive some basic instruction as to how to deal with the situation if it should arise.
Avoiding clouds should be an easy thing to do but it does sometimes happen for various reasons. The sad thing is that it is fatal more often then not. If you doubt that, just think JFK Jr. Even though he was flying on a clear night and not in danger of running in to a hard to see cloud, night flying over water might as well be considered pure IFR flying due to the lack of a distinct horizon.
I have attached an audio clip of a pilot that found himself in a bad position as recorded by the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system. He did the right thing by seeking help and staying calm and the controller was amazing with the level of help and cool demeanor that he maintained.
When a pilot that isn't IFR rated looses their visual reference, it becomes easy to get confused. The body starts to play tricks on the mind and if not careful, the pilot will make the situation worse unless they are trained to ignore their body and rely on the flight instruments.
Listen to the tapes and stay safe!
ATC Link
Avoiding clouds should be an easy thing to do but it does sometimes happen for various reasons. The sad thing is that it is fatal more often then not. If you doubt that, just think JFK Jr. Even though he was flying on a clear night and not in danger of running in to a hard to see cloud, night flying over water might as well be considered pure IFR flying due to the lack of a distinct horizon.
I have attached an audio clip of a pilot that found himself in a bad position as recorded by the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system. He did the right thing by seeking help and staying calm and the controller was amazing with the level of help and cool demeanor that he maintained.
When a pilot that isn't IFR rated looses their visual reference, it becomes easy to get confused. The body starts to play tricks on the mind and if not careful, the pilot will make the situation worse unless they are trained to ignore their body and rely on the flight instruments.
Listen to the tapes and stay safe!
ATC Link
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
Corporate Jets are a waste of money
That is what the current administration tells us so it must be so. Corporations that have their own jets can afford to pay higher taxes for their toys so those without can share in the American dream by living off of those more successful.
President Obama wants to be a leader and in my experience, a leader sets the example. Below is a link to a story about how much a large jet costs as well as a rough estimate that its user would have to pay in taxes for taking advantage of this "perk" that effectively increases the employee's pay with out being considered taxable income.
Read the full story
President Obama wants to be a leader and in my experience, a leader sets the example. Below is a link to a story about how much a large jet costs as well as a rough estimate that its user would have to pay in taxes for taking advantage of this "perk" that effectively increases the employee's pay with out being considered taxable income.
Read the full story
Shame on corporate jet owners
If you listen to President Obama, accelerated depreciation is a tax benefit that allows the wealthy and corporations to escape paying taxes on their toys.
What it actually does is benefit all companies, both large and small, that purchase equipment for their business. If the President removes or even reduces this tax benefit on airplanes he should do it across the board.
He won't do that and I'll tell you why....... People see business jet owners and pilots in general as rich people that dash around the world on a whim just because they have the cash. What a lot of people fail to realize is that corporations that operate their own aircraft are free to move about and see clients, conduct site visits to factories that are not on the normal airline routes and do much more on their own schedule, not just when Delta or United can take them.
Not only does it make the company more productive, it also keeps airplane manufacturers in business as well as support staff at airports, fuel handlers, mechanics and many others that exist to provide needed services where ever these planes go.
Pilots, PLEASE help educate the non-flying public about the good that these aircraft do for companies and the country as a whole. Let them know that you can be a teacher, soldier or factory worker and still be a pilot as well as a plane owner. Don't let half truths poison the unaware because that will be the end of General Aviation forever.
What it actually does is benefit all companies, both large and small, that purchase equipment for their business. If the President removes or even reduces this tax benefit on airplanes he should do it across the board.
He won't do that and I'll tell you why....... People see business jet owners and pilots in general as rich people that dash around the world on a whim just because they have the cash. What a lot of people fail to realize is that corporations that operate their own aircraft are free to move about and see clients, conduct site visits to factories that are not on the normal airline routes and do much more on their own schedule, not just when Delta or United can take them.
Not only does it make the company more productive, it also keeps airplane manufacturers in business as well as support staff at airports, fuel handlers, mechanics and many others that exist to provide needed services where ever these planes go.
Pilots, PLEASE help educate the non-flying public about the good that these aircraft do for companies and the country as a whole. Let them know that you can be a teacher, soldier or factory worker and still be a pilot as well as a plane owner. Don't let half truths poison the unaware because that will be the end of General Aviation forever.
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