Monthly Archives: February 2012

A Kinder FAA, or a More Effective FAA?

It has been fashionable at various times for the FAA to bill itself as being “kinder and gentler” when it comes to rules enforcement. The concept sounds good, but does it make sense? The people in charge of Flight Standards, … Continue reading

Posted in Mac Clellan's Left Seat Blog | 12 Comments

Homebuilders and Electronic Flight Control Advancement

I believe the new frontier for light airplanes is fly-by-wire, or more likely, electronic enhancement of flying qualities and envelope protection. And homebuilders are the people in a perfect position to pioneer those advances. Light airplane design and technology is … Continue reading

Posted in Mac Clellan's Left Seat Blog | 21 Comments

Airframes Need Experience, Too

Sikorsky helicopter president Jeff Pino was talking about the company’s S76 twin engine helicopter that will soon be offered in yet another evolutionary version, the “D” model. The S76 has been in production since 1979 and continues to be one … Continue reading

Posted in Mac Clellan's Left Seat Blog | 1 Comment

Aviator or Pilot?

  My boss, EAA president and CEO Rod Hightower, likes the word aviator. And also aviate. I am pleased that Rod thinks of me as an aviator. But, as usual, some have groused about use of the title aviator and … Continue reading

Posted in Mac Clellan's Left Seat Blog | 15 Comments

Is A Crash A Crime?

In many countries accidents are considered to be criminal acts. Italy and Brazil come to mind as nations that have treated high profile aviation accidents as criminal acts by the pilots involved.  In Italy several years ago a U.S. military … Continue reading

Posted in Mac Clellan's Left Seat Blog | 31 Comments