To PB or not to PB, that is the question: Whether ’tis nobler to endure the pings and knock of inadequate octane in our airplanes’ engines or to rise up and add lead to suppress them. //

In 2021, the only fuels with lead are avgas and racing fuels. In a recent report by the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine, researchers used all of the correct buzz phrases, such as avgas is the biggest polluter of lead, can be inhaled, etc. But they still have no data to back up their suppositions. They just know that it sounds bad.

Pilot Margrit Waltz successfully completed her 900th ferry flight last week, taking a TBM 940 turboprop from Daher’s production site in Tarbes, France, to Delaware County Airport (KMIE) near Muncie, Indiana. The trip took three days, 15 hours and 38 minutes of which were in the air, with stopovers in Wick, Scotland; Keflavik, Iceland; Canada’s Goose Bay; Bangor, Maine; and Scranton, Pennsylvania. Waltz, who was one of the first pilots to ferry a TBM across the Atlantic Ocean in 1991, has delivered more than 200 TBMs to North America.

The former-plane-turned-RV draws plenty of attention when it's out on the highway.

It's not every day you see an aircraft rolling down the highway, and if you did, you'd be forgiven for thinking there's been some kind of in-flight disaster followed by an emergency landing. However, in the case of the Fabulous Flamingo, what you'd actually be looking at is a custom-built RV put together by Gino Lucci and his son Giacinto.

Private flights just got easier… and a lot more accessible, convenient and enjoyable – Linear Air Taxi is reinventing air charters and private jets to make possible all the ways we live, work, and play. Choose your jet or plane and destination and we’ll get you there.

Enter your street address. Air taxis use 10x more airports than the airlines, so why not find the closest ones?

I was recently in Cotonou for a 24-hour layover. Cotonou is the largest city of the small west African nation of Benin, and has become a secondary hub for emerging airline RwandAir. Taking advantage of its growing network, I booked a RwandAir ticket from Dakar, Senegal to Kigali, Rwanda via Cotonou. The transit stop included accommodation provided by the airline.

What is there to do in Cotonou? A quick Google search indicated that the closest attraction to the hotel was on the beach: an ‘amusement park’ called Air de Jeux Plage Erévan. This ‘park’ appeared to include a large-looking aircraft, so I decided to check it out. Little did I know the airframe was a historic Lockheed L1011 TriStar, full of amazing clues about its long and varied history around the world. //

The first thing that grabbed my attention upon entering was a bronze plaque posted next to the forward door. The registration number, serial number and owner’s details were all meticulously detailed. The aircraft bore Sierra Leonian registration 9L-LFB, and last operated for Air Rum. So much for any trouble working out the aircraft’s history.

The weight of an average adult passenger and carry-on bag will be increased to 190 pounds in the summer and 195 pounds in the winter – that’s up 12% from 170 pounds and 175 pounds, AirInsightGroup noted of the new FAA standards. Airlines would have to increase the average weight for female passengers and carry-ons from 145 pounds to 179 pounds in the summer and from 150 pounds to 184 pounds in the winter, according to the standards, while the weight for males with carry-ons will go up from 185 pounds in the summer to 200 pounds and from 190 pounds to 205 pounds in the winter.

The FAA suggests air carriers compete these surveys every 36 calendar months, according to the advisory circular. Passenger’s weight is also said to remain confidential, according to the FAA guidance.

It’s unclear when travelers may be expected to step on the scale at airports or asked about their weight. The FAA did not immediately return a request for comment.

No injuries were reported in a midair collision involving a Key Lime Air SW4 Metroliner and a Cirrus SR-22 over Colorado’s Cherry Creek State Park on Wednesday. According to the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, there were two people onboard the Cirrus and the aircraft’s CAPS whole-airframe parachute was deployed. The only person onboard the Metroliner was the pilot, who was able to land the aircraft at Centennial Airport (KAPA) following the accident with near catastrophic damage to the aircraft’s rear fuselage section.

We took a look at FAA Order 7110.65, which is the "rule book" for air traffic controllers, to find out more. In 5-7-3(b) it says, "to aircraft operating beneath Class B airspace or in a VFR corridor designated through Class B airspace: assign a speed not more than 200 knots."

In 91.117(b), the speed restriction around Class C and D is prefaced with "unless otherwise authorized or required by ATC." This phrase is not used regarding speeds under the shelf of Class B airspace, nor is an exemption found in Order 7110.65.

Based on this, the answer is "no". You cannot fly faster than 200 knots under a Class B airspace shelf. Just like pilots, controllers make mistakes, and this controller likely forgot the regulation.

Let's say you're on a flight, and you inadvertently violate an FAA regulation. If you file a NASA report (which you can do at: https://asrs.arc.nasa.gov/ ), you could gain valuable immunity by participating in the program.

If the FAA finds that you've violated a regulation, neither a civil penalty nor certificate suspension will be imposed on you, as long as:

• The violation reported must have been inadvertent, not deliberate.
• The violation must not have involved a crime, accident, or lack of qualification or competency on the part of the reporter.
• Evidence of having filed an ASRS report within 10 days of the event's occurrence (your receipt) must be presented
• Immunity from action under the ASRS cannot have been used in the last five years.

But the ASRS reports aren't just limited to you busting a regulation. They can be safety related too. For example, if there's a confusing intersection at an airport, or you accepted an ATC clearance that got you close to other traffic, those can (and should) be reported too. The goal of the ASRS program is to improve aviation safety as a whole. The more events you report, the more improvements can be made.

With the advent of mandated computerized surveillance, Big Brother is indeed watching. Here’s what you can, and can’t, do about it.

An AOPA petition to expand pilots’ ability to use certain Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out equipment in anonymous mode has resulted in the FAA clarifying that what AOPA sought actually is what the agency intended when it wrote the ADS-B requirements.

Why is the FAA transitioning away from radar and towards ADS-B technology?
ADS-B is an environmentally friendly technology that enhances safety and efficiency, and directly benefits pilots, controllers, airports, airlines, and the public. It forms the foundation for NextGen by moving from ground radar and navigational aids to precise tracking using satellite signals.

With ADS-B, pilots can see what controllers see: displays showing other aircraft in the sky. Cockpit displays also pinpoint hazardous weather and terrain, and give pilots important flight information, such as temporary flight restrictions.

ADS-B reduces the risk of runway incursions with cockpit and controller displays that show the location of aircraft and equipped ground vehicles on airport surfaces – even at night or during heavy rainfall. ADS-B applications being developed now will give pilots indications or alerts of potential collisions.

ADS-B also provides greater coverage since ground stations are so much easier to place than radar. Remote areas without radar coverage, like the Gulf of Mexico and much of Alaska, now have surveillance with ADS-B.

Relying on satellites instead of ground navigational aids also means aircraft are able to fly more directly from Point A to B, saving time and money, and reducing fuel burn and emissions.

The improved accuracy, integrity and reliability of satellite signals over radar means controllers will be able to safely reduce the minimum separation distance between aircraft and increase capacity in the nation's skies.

The FAA published Federal Regulation 14 CFR 91.225 and 14 CFR 91.227 in May 2010. The final rule dictates that effective January 1, 2020, aircraft operating in airspace defined in 91.225 are required to have an Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) system that includes a certified position source capable of meeting requirements defined in 91.227. These regulations set a minimum performance standard for both the ADS-B transmitter and the position sources integrated with the ADS-B equipment.

Does your aircraft have an electrical system?
NO →
Typically balloons, gliders

14 CFR 91.225 (e) states the requirements under the provision of 14 CFR 91.225 (b) do not apply to certain aircraft without an electrical system, including balloons and gliders. Refer to 14 CFR 91.225(d) & (e) for specific exemptions and airspace limitations.

Do you operate your aircraft above 10,000 feet MSL within the 48 States or DC?

YES

If you operate your aircraft above 10,000 feet MSL within the 48 States or DC do you remain below 2,500 feet AGL?

YES

ADS-B not required

The DC-7 was the final propeller aircraft produced by Douglas. Despite it being the last of a generation, it caused quite a stir in the industry when it was introduced in the 1950s. The jet engine would enter the market in the same decade. However, before these turbines shook up United States aviation, the DC-7 opened up new doors for airlines in the country. //

American Airlines introduced this low-wing airliner on November 29th, 1953. The legacy carrier flew it on a route between New York and Los Angeles. With this move, the company became the first operator to offer nonstop transcontinental service in both directions. It was a massive deal to be able to fly westbound in the US against the prevailing winds. //

“The longer length of the DC-7 and DC-7B fuselage (over eight feet more than the DC-6), allowed room for an eight-passenger Sky Room, with facing seats, and a five-seat Sky Lounge, in addition to two main cabins. Delta’s DC-7 and DC-7B initially held 69 passengers in all first-class seating, except for four DC-7B which were delivered in 1957 with all-coach configuration for 90 passengers. Improvements in air conditioning and sound proofing provided additional comfort,”Delta Flight Museum shares. //

Boeing [Douglas] gave the DC-7C the title of Seven Seas, as it claimed it could transport 110 passengers “anywhere in the world.” Thus, SAS made the most out of its plane and launched its first “around the world” service on February 24th, 1957. Here, the airline was flying from Copenhagen to Tokyo via the North Pole.

Two DC-7Cs, Guttorm Viking and Reidar Viking, flew in each direction on the same day. By cutting through the Arctic, the carrier was able to shave 2,000 mi (3,219 km) off the journey.

Yesterday marked a significant anniversary in the domain of aerial circumnavigation achievements. Specifically, it was the 45th anniversary of Pan Am’s ‘Liberty Bell Express’ circumnavigation. This saw the airline fly a Boeing 747SP eastwards around the world from New York JFK in record time between May 1st and May 3rd, 1976. //

AlanF
20h ago

I believe on the DEL-HND leg they detoured so the flight would touch the equator. I think that was part of the official requirement to set a record for around the world. Otherwise you could just fly to the North Pole and do one quick loop around it and say you had been around the world. They subsequently flew a 747SP on a speed record flight that went over both poles. I forget the routing. //

BillyDolan
10 Points
15h ago

Another PanAm first was achieved between Oct 28-30 1977, probably with the same plane, B747SP Clipper New Horizons, when they circumnavigated the world over both poles departing SFO on Oct28 1977 over the North Pole to LON, then south to CPT,SA and over the South Pole to AKL, NZ, to arrive in SFO on Oct 31st 1977. Total miles flown 26,706 miles, total elapsed time 54h7m12s, avg air speed 494 miles/hr. Captain Walter H. Mullikin was the skipper of Pan Am flight 50. //

BillyDolan
10 Points

At one time SAA held the distance/time record on the delivery of their first SP, non-stop Seattle-Johannesburg... around 21 hours in the air.

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The Flying Farmer act has been a staple of airshows for years. Kyle Franklin’s version is just as entertaining as an inebriated Ben Wabknoski takes over the controls of a Super Cub for a fun, low-altitude airshow experience. In this encore video, Franklin explains what’s involved. He makes it look easy, but it’s anything but.

Rethinking a maneuver in response to an emergency is one thing. Convincing the piloting world that they need to change a long-held practice is quite another. But Claude Vuichard did just that in developing a new escape from the vortex ring state.

This incident involves an April 29 EL AL flight from New York to Tel Aviv. Flight LY2 was operated by a Boeing 787-9 with the registration code 4X-EDH, which is a roughly two year old aircraft that was delivered to the airline in October 2018.

While flying over Spain, the EL AL pilots informed air traffic control that they suspected a bomb had been planted on the aircraft. As a result, NATO made the decision to dispatch fighter jets, which intercepted and escorted the aircraft. Fighter jets from four different countries took part in this:

Spanish fighter jets escorted the aircraft from Spain to Italy
Then Italian fighter jets escorted the aircraft from Italy to Greece
Then Greek fighter jets escorted the aircraft through Greek airspace
Then when the plane entered Cyprus airspace, Israeli fighter jets escorted the aircraft back to Israel
Fortunately the plane landed safely in Tel Aviv about four hours after the original call was made to air traffic control about a bomb, and just under 10 hours after departing New York. The plane hasn’t flown since. //

Roman says:
May 1, 2021 at 2:14 pm
Fighters allow camera coverage in case a detonation occurs during flight, helps with investigation as to location on aircraft of explosive placement. Betting there is more to the story but will not allow another aircraft to be used again as a missile into a populated area after 9-11. Would have been ready to shoot down over water if intelligence warranted.