Their network still down as of this morning (Wednesday) Pacific time.

(Written on 03/06/2020)(Permalink)

The VKTRY arrival into DFW is (mostly) named for the Dallas Stars championship Stanley Cup year. BTW...he was standing in the crease. Hockey loyalists will know what I mean.

(Written on 29/05/2020)(Permalink)

Half Moon Bay doesn't reside off the end of the SFO runways, nor is it exactly close to the airport, either. It does however, sit underneath one of the relatively new RNAV STAR arrivals into SFO. As an airline pilot I can tell you we fly these arrivals very precisely, because the FARs and company Ops Specs require us (mostly) to use the FMS and autopilot when flying RNAV STARs and SIDs. So the claim that there are more airplanes overhead is probably true. As to the noise, well that can be debatable due to the crossing altitudes and various aircraft engines/noise output. Do they have a right to complain about increased air traffic overhead, that wasn't there before .. and they don't live 'near the airport'. Of course they have that right. As to the perceived noise, even the FAA has said in studies here in the Bay area, there isn't much difference in actual sound levels on the ground, when compared to before. But in any case: whether we move RNAV procedures or not, the long-term

(Written on 01/04/2018)(Permalink)

This is actually old news. The various Peninsula and South Bay neighborhood groups have been petitoning the FAA for over two years to change the SFO STARs back to pre-2015, when those were over less-populated areas. The major complaint-causing issue is the SERFR arrival. The FAA has agreed to move it back, the implemenatation is coming in the next few months, and it sounds like the folks in Half Moon Bay either didn't get the memo or they don't understand/

(Written on 01/04/2018)(Permalink)

Me, too. I think most here don't get it. E-3 v. E-2.

(Written on 15/07/2016)(Permalink)

This is not that far from the truth. The official name of today's interstate system when first funded and assigned in the 50s was the 'National Interstate Defense Highway System'. While it wasn't designed for aircraft use, it was considered a defense asset for the rapid movement of troops and materiel (yes, that is correct spelling in this context) in times of war.

(Written on 19/09/2014)(Permalink)

Yup, probably was a slow day at the local FSDO until they caught wind of this. Minimum altitudes, not in the vicinity of an airport, while not landing or taking off, 1000' minimum over any structures within a 2000' radius, etc., etc. I can understand the thrill of the chase. I can fully understand a property owner catching someone in the act against their 'stuff'. However, rules are rules. Now, presuming he was actually 300' AGL, and **if** the FAA decided to investigate/prosecute, it is up to them to determine what altitude the pilot was at and what FARs were broken. What this pilot could have done, if he was really smart, if there was a low altitude bust he should have filed an ASRS and claimed that in the 'excitement of the chase', he might have descended below minimum altitudes, but as soon as the error was realized, he resumed correct altitudes. It was inadvertent, not planned, and corrected. So he could escape certificate actions if there were any in the works, alt

(Written on 04/01/2013)(Permalink)

Yes, you can start as a Student Pilot, train only in a multi-engine aircraft, and **legally** be signed off for solo operations in that category and class of aircraft. HOWEVER, there isn't an insurance company in the world that would allow solo operations by a student pilot. Legal? Yes. Realistic? No. My viewpoint as an ATP/CFI/IA/ME/SE.

(Written on 04/01/2013)(Permalink)

Wow...Bomb Nav. I was a Photo troop (40471). The BUFF will always be my favorite plane.

(Written on 20/04/2012)(Permalink)