Tortoise Lunch
Human Powered Flight – Gossamer Albatross
The Gossamer Albatross was a human-powered aircraft built by American aeronautical engineer Dr. Paul B. MacCready’s AeroVironment. On June 12, 1979 it completed a successful crossing of the English Channel to win the second Kremer prize.
Great Circle Mapper
Here is a useful website for calculating distances for long flights. Click here for site.
Harry’s Lomax
Changes in ATP Training
The FAA is proposing to make sweeping changes that you should plan for in case they go through. Please read the FAA document available at the link below. Bottom line is if you do not yet have your ATP rating, you best hurry and if you teach ATP students under Part 61, the FAA may not permit it under Part 61 in the future.
All of this is preliminary and still in flux, but this is a heads up of what direction they are looking at.
New ATP Rating Requirements and Instructional Requirements – In brief, this may mean the “recreational ATP rating” will be going away. Here is a summary:
They want to require passing an “Approved Course”. Note “Approved” implies not Part 61. In fact it specifically prevents Part 61 ATP instruction.
1. The FAA proposes to require first officers to hold an ATP certificate or “ATP certificate with restricted privileges” and a type rating. No longer just a Commercial MEL.
2. It appears the FAA envisioned this course to be taught by the airlines employing the pilot or by a flight training organization such as “those big sim schools”.
a. The proposed course would contain a minimum of eight hours in at least a Level 4 Flight Simulation Training Device (FSTD) and eight hours in a Level C, or higher, device.
b. Flight instructors in this training course must have at least two years of experience in any combination of Part 121, 91.1053(a)(2)(i), and 135.243(a)(1) operations.
On page 94 of the above mentioned document, it specifically states:
“……. The FAA is proposing a structured ATP certification training program that includes training in FSTDs under parts 121, 135, 141, or 142 rather than permitting instruction to be accomplished by certified flight instructors (CFIs) under Part 61. Typically CFIs do not have air carrier experience and are not required under current regulations to have the knowledge that teaching the required concepts demands. As such, the FAA would have to modify the requirements for CFIs in addition to modifying the ATP certificate requirements to enable CFIs to teach the proposed course. The decision to propose the structured ATP Certification Training Program rather than permitting instruction to take place in actual aircraft under part 61 was also based on the fact that the areas identified in the public law are complex and involve difficult operational conditions including icing and high altitude operations. These complex environments are most safely trained through flight simulation. ……”
Frederick Tower Update
The target opening date is May 1st for the Tower. The Tower frequency will be 132.400, ground frequency will be 121.975, ATIS/AWOS 124.875. The operating hours are scheduled to be 7:00 a.m. to 9 p.m. – 7 days a week. After 9 p.m. the airfield reverts back to CTAF operations on frequency 132.400 (not 122.725). All pilot controlled lighting will operate on 132.400 after the Tower closes for the night. For safety purposes, the FBO will continue to monitor the 122.725 frequency for the next (6) months to alert any traffic not operating on the new 132.400 frequency.
Click on the link below for an illustration that indicates the movement area boundaries for the airfield. Blue indicates free movement, before entering the red you must contact the ground controller. The airport management is working on getting the boundary markings painted by May 1st, however if they cannot get this done in time there will be temporary signage at all of the boundary areas.
AOPA will be rescheduling our Towered Operations Seminar for April 24th, probably around 7 p.m. at the FSK Holiday Inn. AOPA will be sending out a formal announcement shortly. The Tower Manager (Todd Johnson), along with all of the new controllers will be attending the event. It will be a great time to meet your new Tower staff.
US Airways Flight 1549
Jeppesen honors Sullenberger, FO Jeff Skiles, and the other crew members of US Airways Flt 1549
This is an actual approach chart that Jeppesen made, mounted, and presented as a gift to Capt Sullenberger, FO Jeff Skiles, and the other crew members of US Airways Flt 1549.
Rare British Motorcycle – Brough
Brough Motorcycles were made by William E. Brough in Nottingham, England, from 1908 to 1926. Brough motorcycles were flat-tanked motorcycles that used a variety of engines. The first Brough motorcycles had single-cylinder engines but soon William Brough became devoted to the flat-twin engine design.
Originally William Brough’s son, George Brough, was a partner in his father’s company, but he split from it in 1919 and started his own factory, also in Nottingham. He named his motorcycles “Brough Superior”. Upon hearing the name of the new motorcycle company, his father made the comment, “I suppose that makes mine the Brough Inferior”.
Click here for the Brough Superior site
Fiero Trikes
Read the post by Jerry on Fiero Trikes
Click here for the story and pictures
Enclosed Self Balancing Motorcycle
As any avid biker will tell you, motorcycles have a lot of advantages over cars – they use less fuel, accelerate faster, are more maneuverable, can be parked in more places, and don’t incorporate the weight of extra seating for passengers who are non-existent on solo commutes. As many other people will tell you, however, motorcycles also leave their occupants open to the rain and cold, and can potentially tip over and scatter those occupants across the road. That’s where Lit Motors’ C-1 comes into the picture. It’s a proposed fully-enclosed two-passenger electric motorbike that uses an electronically-controlled gyroscopic stabilizing system to stay upright when stopped, or even when struck from the side in an accident.
