Monthly Archives: February 2011

Cirrus Finds Missing Investors

Posted on February 28, 2011 by Mac

Another American aviation company has been sold to the Chinese. That’s the headline. And that is true. But it isn’t the real, fundamental story. What really happened is that Cirrus finally found investors willing to fund its new airplane development … Continue reading →

Posted in Industry & Government | 25 Comments

The Silliness of Icing Certification

Posted on February 24, 2011 by Mac

Of all the FAA’s aircraft certification standards the one for flight into icing conditions is the most ridiculous. We pilots usually call the approval flight into known icing conditions, or FIKI, but the FAA regs don’t actually use the word … Continue reading →

Posted in Industry & Government, Safety, Technology | 13 Comments

The Really Big Risk for Composite Airplanes

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Mac

Imagine that you are an established airplane manufacturer planning your next all-new airplane design. The project will cost many millions if you are going to build a light airplane, to many hundreds of millions, or even billions if it’s a … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft, Industry & Government, Technology | 31 Comments

Should I Worry About GPS Jamming?

Posted on February 9, 2011 by Mac

I have been flying GPS-based LPV approaches for a few years. But now I am flying them for real because the LPV is the best approach, and the only approach with precision glideslope guidance, to Runway 6 at my homebase … Continue reading →

Posted in Mac Clellan's Left Seat Blog | 35 Comments

We Need More Gray Eagles

Posted on February 3, 2011 by Mac

While EAA continues to lead the charge to attract young people to aviation with its powerful Young Eagles program, I propose that we open a second front on the war against the declining pilot population: baby boomers. Ultimately people now … Continue reading →

Posted in EAA, Flying for Fun, Mac Clellan's Left Seat Blog | 47 Comments