Tag Archives: taildraggers

Close Calls, Near Misses, and Collisions

I have been following the blogging of a new student pilot from Down Under. Dave refers to himself as a middle-aged pilot learning to fly for the first time in Sydney, Australia. As with pilots all over, he is now … Continue reading

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The Cessna 120 and 140

One of the best airplanes Clyde Cessna’s company put out was the little 140. The 140 also has a little twin, the Cessna 120. Both airframes are very similar, with only slight differences. The most notable difference is the 120 … Continue reading

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OK, My Turn

It’s my turn now, to talk about the napping controllers. This is mainly for the benefit of the non-flying public; most of us who fly realize pilots and passengers face little danger in the case of sleeping controllers at 1 … Continue reading

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Flying at (Density) Altitude

I am a Florida boy who learned to fly at mean sea level. As such, I do not care for a couple of things. The first is cold, the second is high density altitude. Many pilots do not understand the … Continue reading

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More Books About Flying

After finishing yesterday’s blog about books on the subject of the Doolittle Raid, I began thinking of other books written of flying that all serious pilots should read. There are so many great novels and historical accounts written of flying that once … Continue reading

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Jerrie Mock Returns Home

Today, 47 years ago, Jerrie Mock returned from her trip. It was a special trip and she was no passenger. She was the pilot. And the only one onboard her 1953 Cessna 180 she named the “Spirit of Columbus.”   … Continue reading

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Flyboys

OK, have you seen the movie, Flyboys? If not, why not? You call yourself an aviation aficionado, right? Well then, you have to see this movie. The amazing thing about the movie is not the story, but story of these … Continue reading

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Uncle D’s Swift

D was a different kind of pilot. For one, he owned a Globe Temco Swift, powered by a 125-horse Continental. The Swift was a gorgeous airplane; she had tapered wings, a round tail, and pronounced dihedral. I will always remember … Continue reading

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Sun ‘N Fun Photos

             Photos shot at Sun’N Fun 2011. (Click on photos to enlarge for viewing, using back button to return.) Top row, the Blue Angels of course.  From left to right, the two solos blowing around the area low and fast, … Continue reading

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The Just Aircraft Highlander

Last week I wrote about the tragedy of Sun ’N Fun followed by Saturday’s visit.  The triumph of the fly-in event includes seeing the latest designs from the creative minds of backyard and professional aeronautical engineers and technicians.  One such … Continue reading

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