mtrescott

Social Media and Google Plus for Pilots

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Recently someone replied to one of my maxtrescott.com blog articles that they hadn’t seen me posting as often to my blog and they wondered why. There are several reasons, but a big one is that I’m now spending a little more time posting on Google Plus and a little less time writing blog articles. So I would like to invite my blog readers to join me on Google+. That doesn’t mean my blog is going away…it just means that we can connect even more regularly elsewhere.

I find that it’s faster and easier for me to create on Google+ that to post a new blog article. Generally I post shorter comments on Google+ and longer comments on my blog. But I can use an unlimited number of words in each Google+ post, so eventually it could replace my blog.

$100 per Flight Aircraft User Fees Proposed in Deficit Reduction Plan

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A press release today from the AEA, Aircraft Electronics Association, signals that once again we need to rally all pilots to fight proposed user fees. Deficit reduction is important, but preserving our industry is also important. Currently the proposed $100 per flight fee would only apply to aviation operators flying in controlled airspace.

Help Save Historic Blimp Hangar One at Moffett Field

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If you’re in Silicon Valley and look at the south end of Hangar One at Moffett Field, you’ll see that a large amount of siding has been removed, exposing the hangar’s inner framework to the elements. Unfortunately, the $32 million from Congress to re-side the hangar has run into resistance, which isn’t surprising in the current environment. Here’s a photo I took 2 years ago when I was at Moffett Field flying teenagers for EAA’s Young Eagles program. Sadly, the hangar looks different now. If you’re in Silicon Valley and look at the south end of Hangar One at Moffett Field, you’ll see that a large amount of siding has been removed, exposing the hangar’s inner framework to the elements. Unfortunately, the $32 million from Congress to re-side the hangar has run into resistance, which isn’t surprising in the current environment.

There is an online petition to encourage the appropriation of funds for this project. Please consider going to http://www.tinyurl.com/4yll2tv and adding your name to the online petition to ask that funding be allocated to help preserve Silicon Valley’s most iconic, historic landmark.

Max Trescott AirVenture Videos 2011

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If you didn’t get to see EAA Sport Aviation technology columnist Max Trescott at AirVenture 2011, here’s your chance. Max produced 55 videos reporting all the new and exciting products featured at AirVenture 2011 and his reports are must-see. (We’ll be posting more in the coming days) Follow Max as he discusses things like hybrid engines, iPad products, and anything from what’s in today’s aircraft panel to what’s under the cowling.

Pilot Training Reform Symposium – What Would You Change?

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What ideas do you propose for 1) Improving General Aviation Safety and 2) Improving the Pilot Training Process so that more people become pilots. Those are the two central themes of next week’s 2011 Pilot Training Reform Symposium being held by SAFE, the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators. Hats off to SAFE for having the vision to take on this challenge. By bringing industry leaders together, including senior members of the FAA, they’re providing a forum for getting the best ideas in front of the people who can implement them. What ideas do you have that this group should hear next week?

$5 million X PRIZE Needed for a Low Cost Electric Airplane

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General Aviation needs the equivalent of an X PRIZE for the design of a new, low cost, electric aircraft that cuts the cost of flying by 80%. To be effective, a general aviation X PRIZE needs to spur the development of an electric aircraft that is the functional equivalent of the venerable Cessna 152, or the more modern Cessna 162 SkyCatcher. Criteria should include:

Two seats
Speed of 100 knots
Endurance of three hours with 30 minute reserve
Recharging or battery switch time of 30 minutes
Carry 400 pounds of pilot, passenger and baggage
Costs less than $10/hour to operate for electricity
Target production cost of $100,000

KLN 94 Gotcha Flying RNAV GPS Y and Z Instrument Approaches

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A serious issue with the Bendix/King KLN 94 GPS, found in almost every Cessna built between 1997 and 2004, had been uncovered. When using the KLN 94 to fly RNAV (GPS) Y and Z approaches, there’s a huge gotcha that could kill an unsuspecting pilot. Specifically, the problem is that when you select a GPS approach on it, the letters Y and Z don’t appear in the approach titles, so it’s difficult to know which of these approaches you are selecting. Let’s look at the GPS (RNAV) Y 36L and GPS (RNAV) Z 36L approaches into the Napa County Airport, KAPC.

Seminar: How to Buy an Airplane for Business or Pleasure and Stay Safe

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I have created a new seminar called Buying an Airplane for Business or Pleasure. We’ll discuss the buying process and alternate forms of ownership including partnerships, lease contracts, managed fractional ownership and leasing aircraft back to a flight school. I noticed a tragic downside that occasionally occurs when a pilot acquires an airplane. Some pilots crashed their dream airplanes soon after purchase and sadly a significant percentage of these accidents occur on the flight home. Here are some thoughts on how you can maximize safety while enjoying your newly acquired airplane.

What all Pilots Can Learn from Alaska Plane Crash Rescue

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It’s the worst kind of rescue one can imagine—one where the weather is so bad the rescuers crash and need rescuing. You’ll find the details in a well-written, 3-part feature story by Craig Medred in the Alaska Dispatch about a little reported plane crash last summer. The story is as compelling as a novel, but is virtually unknown because it was shadowed by a plane crash that killed Senator Ted Stevens the following day. Buried in the story are lessons that all pilots should heed.