It was not the TSA's finest hour but at least they followed their own rules -- according to the TSA. A woman was barred from a Mesa Airlines flight from Phoenix to San Diego on Thursday after she allegedly told a screener that the TSA "couldn't find a bomb if there was one." While the woman was...

I was going to ask this question on R.A.Students but I think this is a more appropriate forum. After how many hours of dual do you expect the average person to be ready to solo? I understand that it is subjective. Not every person is ready to solo at the same time. There are a number of...

It looks like I didn't get any hits on the Florida bar with the Beech Musketeer sticking out of it, so I imagine it must not be there anymore. I scanned my old pic and put it on my website. I think this would really stand out on a hotel located next to an airport...

Anyone heard of this new type rating that is to be implemented April 1 to account for the difference in training on a glass panel and flying "steam gauges." I read an article about it in the most recent issue of Private Pilot. Basically I want to know if I have to get this type rating or if I...

In 1837, Danish author, Hans Christian Andersen, wrote a wonderful fairy tale which he titled The Emperor's New Clothes. It may be the very first example of the power of political correctness. It is the story of the Ruler of a distant land who was so enamored of his appearance (FAA MANAGEMENT)...

See 'USAF C-130 with "civilian" GPS mounted on the glare shield' on alt.binaries.pictures.aviation, 02/22/05.

Anyone know of, or have experience with, renting a plane and instructor from any of the northwest islands in the Bahamas? I'm planning on being there in July and would like to do some sightseeing & flying (I'm PPL/IA). Would rather do typical "FBO-style" instruction/checkout, but if there are...

Anybody else dealt wtih this? I'm currently preparing for my instrument checkride, so I'm dealing with getting an "FTN #" and filling out the appropriate form online. Only problem is, the form doesn't work right, and after much time on the phone with ill-prepared tech support, I've come to the...

Apparently, there is a move at Frederick Airport in Maryland to build a Tower facility for it. I don't fly there. A good friend just got his ticket there last fall. During his training and since, he figures he's had 4 or 5 "close calls" with traffic. One he figured he was about 10 seconds from at...

Anyone know where I could get a downloadable, or freeware program to assist in filling out a cross country navigation form? Yes, I know we have to do that manually, but in the learning process it'd be a great help to have a way to check our answers for saneness. If you can point me in the...

When I went down to Mexico last weekend the San Diego FSS woman said there was no longer such a thing as a DVFR flight plan. She says they'll notify customs but there is no specific flight plan. I still called South of the boarder and altered them to my arrival and I still called after landing to...

Hi all. This is my first post but I have been here throughout my training - great forum! I am due to sit my Private Pilots exam soon and was wondering what kind of questions I should look out for. I'm up to par I think, just want a heads up.

A friend told me a while back that that a couple of pilots purchased every type of human relief container, and armed with prior consumption of a gallon or so of coffee or tea, made a test flight and reported on the pros/cons of each. I think this could be quite funny but have never been able to...

In general, is it OK to recommend an aviation product (that I have found very helpful) in a newsgroup? The product is free.

I've always had a well founded and severe fear of using any type of ice melt product around our hanger entrance. As a farmer, I know what ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, potassium chloride etc. are and what they can do to your equipment. Recently our FBO started selling an palletized ice...

I'm due to start my private pilot training soon, and after I am done I would like to take my multi and IFR. I don't plan on becoming a commercial pilot, just a private with a multi and IFR rating (endorsments) I was just wondering if there were any words of wisdom or any special regulations...

Hi folx, First, Happy New Year to all! I need a favor from you, please. I have cooked up a site which I hope you'll find useful. It's www.copilots.net and is designed to let interested pilots find each other and fly together. It's free and I have no hidden interest or gimmicks to go with it...

I thought I'd share a story with you. I have posted a few things here, and really enjoyed the information that people share on these groups. Some background: I'm currently working on my ME rating, and was out with my instructor polishing up some maneuvers. I have about 12 to 14 hours in...

I've had email correspondence with a veteran lightplane pilot (and CFI) who for some years has been flying with a Special Issuance medical, which got ever more complicated and ever more expensive. So when his most recent medical expired, he made the decision to fly henceforth under Sport Pilot...

I don't suppose there is any chance that the campgrounds at Oshkosh are covered by a WiFi hotspot? I see that there is some sort of "Internet Cafe" in Aeroshell Square, but I once got banned from the "Internet Cafe" at Sun n Fun because the idiot manning the area saw me using telnet to telnet into...