Comments for Left Seat

Comment on Homebuilders and Electronic Flight Control Advancement by Thomas Boyle

Thomas Boyle — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:21:30 +0000

It’s a real shame that butt-covering at the FAA is more important than safety. But, as you say, thank heaven there are some corners of aviation, like Experimental and LSA, where the FAA’s butt is covered already, and progress is still possible.

Comment on Airframes Need Experience, Too by Dov Elyada

Dov Elyada — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 06:46:33 +0000

Mac must be living and flying in a country where all regulator people are saintly, with only our safety on their minds, well balanced by our civic liberties and financial interests. I envy him. At least in the flying environment I know, at least some of them are there to enjoy practicing bureaucratic power over us while covering their behinds to the best of their abilities.

Comment on Should I Worry About GPS Jamming? by JimC

JimC — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:16:30 +0000

(bump)

Yesterday the FCC ruled *not* in favor of LightSquared. This latest development is getting moderate coverage in the mainstream media, but it is easy to pull up plenty of stories by using the search function of any online news website… and there is a wide variety of interpretations out there depending on who is telling what version the story.

Comment on The Really Big Risk for Composite Airplanes by whit

whit — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:23:27 +0000

Brad, I happened upon this website after researching safety of commercial “composite built” aircraft. You appear to be an engineer. I know nothing about aircraft, flight or engineering but simply am curious of the safety of the new “commercial use” of composite built aircraft. From an engineers viewpoint, I’m curious to know if you feel these aircraft are safe for you and your family to travel on??

Comment on Are Touchscreens Here to Stay? by Cary Alburn

Cary Alburn — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:09:18 +0000

I will be having a new 430W installed in my P172D next month, to replace one of the Narco nav/coms. With the shut-down of NDBs and now VORs, I thought it was good to move into at least the late 20th century if not the 21st. I frankly did not want a touch screen gizmo for my primary navigation device. My Android phone inputs lots of things that I don’t want it to, as I accidentally double-touch its screen or touch slightly off of where I intended to. And that’s sitting in my chair, not my bumpy little airplane. Perhaps in a “smooth riding” Baron, touch screens work, but there have been many times when just pushing the flip/flop button on a nav/com or the “ident” button on the transponder has been problematic in my airplane, due to moderate turbulence.

I’m all for advancing technology, but not at the expense of utility.

Cary

Comment on Aviator or Pilot? by Robert

Robert — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:14:58 +0000

Well I lived in town, but I had Uncles out in the country. I got to help clean out the barn a lot >> I think I had a lot of learning about how and where to pile-lot>> We all have learned and made our mistakes,but by trying we have learned to do things right and not get into trouble. Does it really make a differance if you call me a Farmer or a city slicker, I take pride in doing . I also take Pride in drive-ing around in the Air for FUN. I am a PILOT!!!>>

Comment on Is A Crash A Crime? by Frank R. Sandoval

Frank R. Sandoval — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 04:19:04 +0000

Common sense is sometimes not so common.

You may be correct about the placement of my head Mr. Gregorie. Nevertheless, if you are really a pilot, and for the sake of your long and hard earned years of work developing your hobby into an income producing endevor, but more importantly, for the sake of aviation as we know it today, it is my hope that the indictment against the defendant by the Commonwealth is quashed before a trial is initiated. Otherwise, many of us are going to be spending our time at Barnett Welansky’s night club instead of flying.

Comment on Is A Crash A Crime? by Frank R. Sandoval

Frank R. Sandoval — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 04:01:44 +0000

Thank you for our comments Mr. Reinhart. You really make a lot of sense.

Comment on Is A Crash A Crime? by Frank R. Sandoval

Frank R. Sandoval — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 03:59:39 +0000

That is precisely my point Mr. Willis. Their credentials and qualifications were not considered and by all accounts the accident was not considered an accident. It was considered a criminal act.

Comment on Is A Crash A Crime? by Lou Gregoire

Lou Gregoire — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 23:51:42 +0000

Geez, Mr Sandoval, how you can draw any parallel between Leeward and Faye shows how far in the sand your head is jammed. Leeward was a professional pilot who was highly trained to fly his aircraft. His accident was truly an accident. Faye was unqualified and unlicensed for the aircraft he flew and chose to fly it anyway. That is wilfull misconduct.
And yes, I am a pilot. I have worked long and hard, and spent years of my time to develop my career from a hobby to a paying job. Within the confines of the rules and reglations set forth by the agency governing my vocation.
Maybe your next apology should be to the Leeward family.