Archive for December, 2010

Aircraft Registration: Re-Registration / Renewal

Friday, December 17th, 2010

This Final Rule was published in the Federal Register on July 20, 2010, Page 41968.  All changes established by this rule are effective October 1, 2010.  This rule establishes specific registration expiration dates over a three-year period for all aircraft registered before October 1, 2010, and requires re-registration of those aircraft according to a specific schedule.  All aircraft registrations issued on or after October 1, 2010, will be good for three years with the expiration date clearly shown.

Click here for complete details

Comments Off on Aircraft Registration: Re-Registration / Renewal

Category Newsletters | Tags:

Social Networks: Facebook, Twitter, Google Bookmarks, del.icio.us, StumbleUpon, Digg, Reddit, Posterous.

Twas the night before Christmas

Friday, December 17th, 2010

From the Courtesy Aircraft Website – http://www.courtesyaircraft.com/

‘Twas the night before Christmas all over the place,
When we were confronted by an old flying ace.
There was icing reported and turbulent air ,
He said, “File me a flight plan, I gotta get there”.

Outside sat his aircraft all ready to run,
And the old man walked out to that P-51.
“Bad weather’s no problem,” he silently mumbled,
The prop came to life…that big Merlin rumbled.

He eased in the throttle, the roar shook the ground,
He taxied on out and turned it around.
He went through the run-up and seemed satisfied,
Then he said to himself, “I’m in for a ride.”

So he lined it up straight as he poured on the coal,
The tailwheel came up as he started to roll.
Up off the runway, he sucked up the gear,
And that mighty V-12 was all you could hear.

He screamed overhead with a deafening crack,
Blue flames flying from each little stack.
“He pulled up the nose and started to climb,
No ice on that airframe, it didn’t have time.

On top of the weather with the levers all set,
He looked up above him and saw a Learjet.
“With jet fuel and turbines there just ain’t no class,
Gimmee pistons, and props and lots of avgas!”

Now he was approaching where he wanted to go.
But the weather had covered the runway with ice and with snow. How will he land it?
We just have to guess, because the only way in was a full I-L-S.

Then over the outer marker, he started his run,
The ceiling was zero, visibility…none.
Still going three hundred and he felt the need,
For an overhead break to diminish his speed.

Over the numbers he zoomed, along like a flash,
Pulled into his break, we just knew he would crash.
Oh, why do they do it on these kind of nights??
Then over the threshold, we saw landing lights.

I’m on a short final with three in the green,
And I see enough runway to land this machine.”.
Then he tied down that Mustang, and they all heard him say,..
“Next year, I’m stickin’ with my reindeer and sleigh..”.

Comments Off on Twas the night before Christmas

Category Newsletters | Tags:

Social Networks: Facebook, Twitter, Google Bookmarks, del.icio.us, StumbleUpon, Digg, Reddit, Posterous.

Twas the Night before the Cruise-In

Friday, December 17th, 2010

Twas the night before the cruise in, when all through the garage
Not a vehicle was running, not even the Dodge;
The spark plugs were removed by myself with care,
In hopes that my mechanic would soon be here;
My sockets were nestled all snug in their case,
With visions of a mechanic all dressed in lace;
While in my shop clothes with a matching cap,
I had just settled down for a garage floor nap,
When out in the driveway there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the floor to see what was the matter.
Away passed the Chevy I flew like a flash,
Jumped over the Ford but hit the Nash.
Hoping it was my mechanic but I didn’t know
So I directed my shop light out into the snow,
When, what to my wondering eyes did appear,
Was my mechanic drinking a beer!
With his little red Vette, so shinny and quick,
Wasn’t an automatic, it was a stick.
More rapid than a street rod with his tools he came,
He stumbled and stuttered and he called me by name;
The Chevy, the Ford both needed fixin!
Along with a Buick once owned by Nixon!
From the Harley to 4×4 so big and tall!
My mechanic he’d fix them all!
He’d fixed cars and boats and things that fly,
And little old me I wouldn’t try,
So over to the Chevy with the big block he flew,
The Ford, the Dodge, he fixed the Nash too.
And for a minute I’d thought he made a goof
But it was his beer knocked off the roof.
Startled and shaken he was turning around,
Just in time to see the beer hit the ground.
He was dressed in overalls from his head to his foot,
His clothes were all covered with grease and soot;
With a bundle of tools flung on his back,
If you need help again call I’ll be back.
His Vette – how sweat and clean, nothing but Cherry!
He built it for his wife, think her name’s Mary!
So tomorrow is the cruise in and I think I will go,
Invited my wife but she doesn’t know;
Polished my wheels with a toothbrush like my teeth,
This was a tip from a friend named Keith;
At breakfast I ate and stuffed my belly,
I had coffee and toast with strawberry jelly.
Out in the garage grab the wax off the shelf,
I waxed two cars all by myself;
I polished the Dodge so shinny and red,
So off to the cruise in I think I’ll head;
A great day for a cruise in and I don’t have to work,
An aggressive driver; what a jerk,
But who’s at the cruise in nobody knows,
I’m off to the Exxon where everybody goes;
There’s my friend Tom I’ll give him a whistle,
And there’s Joe with a old Ford Edsel.
But look at the cars here, man what a sight,

“Happy Cruise -in to all, and to all a good-night.”

Comments Off on Twas the Night before the Cruise-In

Category Newsletters | Tags:

Social Networks: Facebook, Twitter, Google Bookmarks, del.icio.us, StumbleUpon, Digg, Reddit, Posterous.

How Long Does A Mechanic’s Lien Last

Thursday, December 16th, 2010

Answer is: an aircraft mechanic’s lien could be a problem for an aircraft for a very long time.

Click here for the full story from GlobalAir.com

Comments Off on How Long Does A Mechanic’s Lien Last

Category Newsletters | Tags:

Social Networks: Facebook, Twitter, Google Bookmarks, del.icio.us, StumbleUpon, Digg, Reddit, Posterous.

Morgan Three Wheeler

Monday, December 13th, 2010

In 2011 Morgan will once again be offering their 3 wheeler from the early 1900s.  With a Harley engine and Mazda gear box this car will have the best of both worlds – classic look with modern power train.

Click here for full story

Comments Off on Morgan Three Wheeler

Category Newsletters | Tags: Tags: , , ,

Social Networks: Facebook, Twitter, Google Bookmarks, del.icio.us, StumbleUpon, Digg, Reddit, Posterous.

Photo On Your Pilots’ License

Wednesday, December 1st, 2010

Got your new plastic pilots’ license yet?

Standby. The FAA says it will publish a proposed rule in the next few months that would require a new pilot certificate which must to include your photo.

Click here for the full story

Comments Off on Photo On Your Pilots’ License

Category Newsletters | Tags:

Social Networks: Facebook, Twitter, Google Bookmarks, del.icio.us, StumbleUpon, Digg, Reddit, Posterous.

‘Flying Car’ Company Picks Up Defense Work

Wednesday, December 1st, 2010

Terrafugia To Work With AAI Corporation On DARPA Transformer (TX) Project

DARPA has been talking for some time about developing a four person flyable and roadable vehicle it describes as a ‘flying Humvee’, a project with a budget of about $65 million. Terrafugia, the developer of the Transition Roadable Aircraft, or ‘Flying Car’, is the largest subcontractor to one of two winning teams, led by AAI Corporation and comprised of other Textron companies.

Click here for full story

Comments Off on ‘Flying Car’ Company Picks Up Defense Work

Category Newsletters | Tags:

Social Networks: Facebook, Twitter, Google Bookmarks, del.icio.us, StumbleUpon, Digg, Reddit, Posterous.

Today in Aviation History