Aviation category upgraded in iTune Store

The iTunes Store has finally given the "Aviation" podcasts category a real page in its listings.

Until now it's only provided a simple list of the podcasts in the category. But now there's a nice page, with "featured podcasts" and a real "top podcasts" list.

In the iTunes Store, click Podcasts, then Games & Hobbies, then Aviation.

While you're there we'd love to have you add some feedback about the podcast so others can decide if they want to listen in.

As of this morning UCAP is listed as the #6 podcast, but two of the ones above us are -- IMNSHO* -- actually travel podcasts, not really aviation.

(* "In My Not So Humble Opinion")

NYT on student starts and Sport Pilot

Although they got a few things wrong about Sport Pilot, this isn't a bad piece...

Matt Wald piece in NYT...

Excerpt:

Time and money drive others away. The prospect of taking months to earn a pilot’s license is less appealing now. It is also expensive, $5,000 to $7,000. Renting even a tiny two-seat plane runs $75 an hour, and an instructor, $40 an hour or so. Fuel costs money, too, but its recent price increase is not a major consideration, because small planes burn only six to seven gallons an hour.

Airline enthusiasts

Salon's "Ask The Pilot" column for today...

An excerpt:

"Few modes of transport are more openly reviled nowadays than commercial flying, and skulking around airports with a camera or a pair of binoculars isn't going to win you much respect, or a date with that sexy agent over at the Virgin Atlantic counter. (On the contrary, it's liable to get you taken in for questioning.) This underscores all that is misunderstood about air travel, but we're stuck with it. Thus the A.E. keeps it quiet when among friends or family, usually out of embarrassment. We stay where it's safe -- in the closet."

First time flyer

Here's the story of adult taking a demo flight.

So being the adventurous type, I accepted the invitation to fly a small plane, which came from a man I had never met. According to his e-mail signature, Gary Frisch is the Philadelphia, Pa., account executive for Project Pilot. A program designed to promote the joy of flying and the ease and affordability of obtaining a private pilot's license, Project Pilot was recently launched by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

Read more.

Is Eclipse ready?

Via EAA:

ECLIPSE AVIATION RECEIVES PRODUCTION CERTIFICATEEclipse Aviation received its production certificate for the Eclipse 500 jet from the FAA at a ceremony at the company's Albuquerque headquarters on April 26. The certificate allows the company to manufacture aircraft with an FAA-approved type design, and is granted when the FAA has determined that the organization's manufacturing processes and inspection systems comply with all federal regulations. Eclipse is now authorized to issue standard airworthiness certificates for its production aircraft. For more information visit www.eclipseaviation.com.

Here are more places to voice your views on FAA Reauthorization

OK, Aviators, the clock is ticking, many in Congress are ready to stake the user-fee proposal contained in the FAA's proposal to reauthorize its existence...but the beast is still flapping and flopping, right in synch with the proposal's supporters...

So time to revisit the right and obligation we all have to make our voices heard.

Among the newest, The Alliance for Aviati0n Across America; don't know much about who or what they are, but do know they seem to be on the G.A. side of the debate and want to add voices to their efforts...Check 'em out at www.aviationacrossamerica.org.

Also, don't forget that the alphabet groups all have their own mechanisms for your participation -- AOPA, EAA, NATA, NBAA, as well as other smaller organizations...if you belong to any one of these, you've an open path to voicing you views; if you belong to several, use 'em all...it can only help.

A Motley Crew

Dave Higdon, Jack Hodgson & Jeb Burnside at Sun 'n Fun 2007.

Uncontrolled Airspace #25 Pics

Here are a couple of candid shots from UCAP#25 at Sun 'n Fun.




Just outside the frame are Dave and Jack.