PropBlast

Chris Woods, a filmmaker and P-51 Pilot, has put together an amazing short documentary about the venerable P-51 Mustang and the brave young men who flew them into battle win WWII by focusing on the story of his neighbor and WWII Mustang ace Jim Brooks.

Woods' project began when he began restoration of a basket-case Mustang and discovered that the plane was named "February" amd was originally flown by his neighbor Brooks. You can watch this amazing HD movie on AirShowBuzz website or viewing the embedded video below. Or better yet, go to Amazon.com or the GrayEagles.org foundation website to order your own copy of the DVD. For every copy purchased, the Foundation will donate another copy to an educational institution so that youngsters can not only learn about these great men and fantastic machines but, perhaps, to help inspire them to great things as well. As Siskel and Ebert would say "Two Thumbs Up!"

Tags: p-51, movies, wwii

While it isn't strictly aviation, it does involve and airport and some serious risk to parked (and moving aircraft) but it certainly is exciting. Live and direct from InyoKern airport it's Captain Slow and Ken Block:

I'm a huge fan of the Top Gear shows (seen here on BBC America) but I truly had to cringe watching this guy slalom around aircraft tied down on the ramp at KIYK. With their budget I'm sure they were fully insured but if I had a plane on the ramp there and hadn't given permission for the plane to be used as a traffic cone, I think I'd be having a word or two with the Mr. Seymour...

Tags: rally, top gear, inyo kern

You've got to love an airline that doesn't take itself too seriously. Kulula airlines, a low cost carrier in South Africa seems to be taking the Southwest formula to the extreme. Any airline that names their frequent flyer points Kulula Moolah has my vote for a fun airline to travel with.

Below are some examples of one of their planes that is painted in such a way as to label all the

Tags: photos, videos

I stumbled on some new aviation podcasts that I've added to my phone (Android if you must know) for those times when I wish I was flying and can't (which seems to be all the time these days). To get to the meat of the matter:

• Mile High Flyers Podcast - I heard this podcast mentioned on another podcast (sorry, don't remember which one) and figured I'd give them a try. This is another hanger flying podcast but what is nice is that it is just regular guys (and Z), not aviation professionals. However, what I really liked about them is that they provided me with leads on a  whole bunch of other podcasts I hadn't heard about. Subscribe to Mile HIgh Flyers Podcast.
• Unusual Attitudes Podcast - This is self-billed as the first Aviation Podcast with and iTunes Adult Content tag. And deservedly so! The language is blue but it is probably closer to a REAL hanger-flying session than any of the others; an observation based largely on the fact that they don't censor themselves and take relish if raking each other over the coals whenever possible. The URL listed above may NOT be their ultimate location as it doesn't work know and they mentioned they might change the name (another aviation podcast is using this for their occasional postings. You'll find that you can subscribe using the following URL but YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED: This is not for the weak of knees or who shrink at foul (fowl?) language: Subscribe to Unusual Attitudes Podcast.
• Desert Pilot Podcast -   I haven't had the opportunity to listen to this podcast yet but if the blog is any indication, it should have some good stuff in it: Subscribe to Desert Pilot Podcast
• Plane Crazy Down Under -  This aviation-based podcast is self-described as having a focus on Asia/Pacific area. I haven't had an opportunity to listen to any episodes yet but I've heard good things about it.:  Subscribe to Plane Crazy Down Under podcast.

Tags: podcasts

Okay, if this isn't an excuse to get a rotorcraft rating, I don't know what is...

If this idea ever gets off the ground (pun intended) it should be able to cruise at 130 knots and cover about 43 knots per charge. Not a lot of range that is for sure but how long can YOU lay prone and hold your head so you can face forward?

Tags: rotorcraft

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
of sun-split clouds, - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled an soard and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air...

Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark nor even eagle flew -
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untresspassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

John Gillespie Magee, Jr.

One can imagine the abandon and joy that 19 year-old Magee must have felt on a high flight to 33,000 feet in a Supermarine Spitfire Mk. I. To fly such a beautiful and deadly aircraft so close to the heavens at such a young age would have encourage anyone to verse.

Do you have any favorite flying poems or passages you'd like to share? Please use the comments section below to continue this conversation!

Tags: poetry, verse

I ran across this while doing some searching on the 'Net and thought, what fun you could have with your friends during a flight navigating via GPS.

Just kidding, I'm sure the use of such a device in flight would be contrary to the FAA's rules on electronics in flight. But perhaps not... For Part 91 operations (non-revenue general aviation flights) operating under VFR flight rules, the use of any portable electronic device  that the operator (PIC) has determined will not cause interference with the navigation or communication system of the aircraft on which it is to be used.

I wonder, does flight instruction fall under Part 91? 'cause a CFI is the PIC (at least when flying with student pilots). Wonder if they could use this to "simulate" loss of GPS signal much like when they fail any other instrument on a student? Any of your CFIs care to take a stab at this? Seems like this would be a more realistic scenario than turning down the display or pulling a circuit breaker.

Ostensibly, these offer you the following benefits (according to the manufacturer, their wording, not ours):

1. To prevent GPS satellite positioning tracking
2. Black GPS satellite signal, protect your whereabouts privacy and confidential information
3. Block all GPS satellite signal
4. Not affect mobile phones and other electronic equipments working
5. Samll size, high power, light weight, great coverage, easy to carry

Of course, I'm not an aviation attorney so don't take anything I say as advise when operating your aircraft!

Tags: gps

Stumbled across this humorous parody song and had to share it with you all. Our hats off to those Northwest pilots on Flight 188 for inspiring this hilarity.

And here's a YouTube video of it:

BTW - For those interested, here is the flight track of their flight:

Tags: humor

Garmin is launching a new line of dual-boot GPS units that will work equally as well in the car as they do in the air. The new aera line of portable GPS units can be booted in Aviation mode or Automotive mode (which simulates a Garmin Nuvi). One of the biggest features on this 4.3 inch-screened unit include touch screen to drive the normal Garmin aviation screens such as Map, Weather, Terrain, DirectTo, HSI/Panel, Active Flight Plan, Numbers, Nearest, Waypoint Info, position, XM radio and Tools.

MSRP on these items should be as follows:

• aera 500 - $799
• aera 510 - $1299 (same as 500 except it includes XM receiver for weather)
• aera 550 - $1499 includes advanced auto features including Navteq traffic compatibility over 500 and 510 model. Aviation mode improvements over the smaller models include high-res terrain database, SafeTaxi charts, AOPA director and one year free aviation database updates.
• aera 560 - $1999 (same as 550 except it includes XM receiver for weather)

If anyone is at the AOPA convention this week, we'd love to hear your comments on this product!

Tags: garmin, aopa

Android phone fans (who just happen to be aviators) rejoice! We now have our OWN aviation apps review site. No longer do you need to slog through the marketplace looking for the newest and hottest Android app to use in your plane or to prepare for your next flight.

The fine folks (ok, me) who brought you PropBlast have launched yet another site. This one, we hope, will not only give you a one stop shop to find reviews and additional information about Android apps of interest to pilots and others who fly but also a place to carry on conversations about these same apps.

The site is loosely based on the popular AviatorApps.com website that specializes in aviation apps for the iPhone platform. Not having found a similar directory for the Android platform (my preferred device) we felt that this will fill a need.

Some of the features you'll find on the site include:

• Videos of the app in action (when ever possible)
• QR Codes you can scan from your phone to quickly find the app in the marketplace
• Information about the publisher
• Comments from other aviators
• Tags, Categories and Search to enable either browsing for or searching for the ideal app
• A complete roundup with links to all the reviews on a given app

We welcome one and all Avitors using the Android platform to comment on applications that we are reviewing with their thoughts and obvservations.

In the coming weeks we hope to have a comprehensive list up that will be added to as new apps come online and updates to already reviewed apps are made available.

Are you a developer of apps for the Android Platform? Please go to the Android Developers page to learn how to get your applications listed and reviewed in our site at no cost to you. If you are an advertiser who wants to tap into this market, please see our Advertisers page to learn how you can advertise your apps on our site.

Tags: android apps, yawsa!

Garmin recently launched their G3000 system and manufacturers have begun jumping on the bandwagon; committing installations into upcoming offerings like the HondaJet and PipeJet. This new system offers a touchscreen interface to replace mechanical knobs and switches. Kinda makes that old “Cirrus Perspective G1000" system seem outdated in comparison.

Seeing the demonstrator interface with system reminds one more of working with an iPhone or an Android cell phone what with all the gestures to initiate scrolling of the interface as well as typing on virtual keypads/keyboards. One only hopes that this system is less likely to “stop and think” about keypresses like my Android phone does from time to time. I can barely put up with that on my phone; the last thing I want in a avionics interface is having to wait for it to respond to my input!

Aside from that, this is pretty darn cool technology!

Tags: avionics, garmin

Flying doctor to Tangier Island

Pass it on!

Tags: general aviation serves america

General Aviation serving farmers

Pass it on!

Tags: general aviation serves america

Chopper Chick pointed out this great selection of aviation photos posted in the news lately on Boston.Com website.

At left is an EXTERMELY low pass by a Mig-35 in Russia. Amazing the difference between how low and close to crowds they can fly as opposed to here in the states.

This collection of photos has a great mix of airshow and normal aviation photos of fixed wing and rotor craft that should be checked out by anyone with a love of aviation.

Tags: photos

Medical service for rural New England

Pass it on!

Tags: general aviation serves america

Morgan Freeman speaks on the value of General Aviation to the general public

Pass it on!

Tags: general aviation serves america

Here is a link to a thread in the Aviation Photographers of Southern California thread on Firefighting Aircraft pictures. Here are some of my favs…

Another instance of General Aviation serving America in it’s time of need!

Tags: general aviation serves america

New public service announcements from GAServesAmerica.com.

Pass it on!

Tags: general aviation serves america

Found this great YouTube video on AvWeb this morning and couldn’t help but share it. If you aren’t already in love with aviation (and if now, why are you here?) you should be after watching this. Fantastic work from a soon-to-be 19 year-old James Perkins from Texas.

Tags: oshkosh, airventure

Not only is AirShowBuzz TV is offering a chance to ride in a P-51 Mustang, but the ride is with "The Horsemen"; the world's only P-51 Formation Aerobatic Team!

This would be the opportunity of a life time and all it takes is a few moments of your time and a little personal information at http://www.asb.tv/p-51. They are doing this to celebrate the premier of their brand new TV show “The Horsemen Cometh”.

I LOVE the concept of this TV Series (not sure at this point if it is online only or if we’ll see this on the Military Channel, Speed or ??? anytime soon). unfortunately, they don’t seem to make it easy to find just the videos of the show on their website. Seems to me the show should have it’s own page, prominently linked from the website… Ok, I guess that I should take part of that back. Just hacking around with URLs, I tried http://www.asb.tv/horsemen/ and much to my surprise, it worked! Of course I would argue that this really should be prominently featured on their site as this is probably more relevant to most users than the advertisement to buy an AirShowBuzz TV commemorative coin.

On the whole, great photography, great airplanes, a must for any fan of the greatest piston fighter ever (IMHO). Oh, and here is what ASB.TV says about the show:

The Phrase “The Horsemen” often evokes images of mystery and power. Today, the Horsemen ride again, this time as the world’s only P-51 formation aerobatic team.

Now AirshowBuzz has harnessed the thundering power of the Horsemen’s three P-51 Mustangs to represent the heartbeat of a new beginning.

For the past year, AirshowBuzz has been quietly creating a pioneering network that will transform your computer into the next generation of television.

Soon AirshowBuzz.com will be called ASB.TV and just like the mighty Mustang, the new ASB.TV is powerful, graceful, and full of adventure.

ASB.TV is NEW TV. it’s high def, interactive, and revolutionary. The “Horsemen Commeth” promo is just a rumble of our thunder to come.

NOTE: Edited 8/13/2009 to correct the URL to the Horsemen microsite.

Tags: airshows, p-51, contest, free

If you are looking for a worthwhile organization to support, then the VAC is probably one of the best. They provide

Here are some links to the story on MSNBC’s website:

• http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#31495902 (Brian Williams/Natalie Morales)
• http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#31071375 (Interview with founder)

Tags: volunteerism

Our thoughts go out to the family of Ed McMahon who passed away this week. While known best as Johnny Carson’s sidekick for years, Mr. McMahon served with distinction during two wars in the USMC.

During WWII, flew as an instructor in Corsairs (http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.php?id=3562) and was recalled for service during the Korean War where he flew OE-1 observation planes (the Marine Corp designation for the venerable Cessna L-19)(http://waltshiel.com/2009/06/23/ed-mcmahon-marine-bird-dog-pilot/).

A tip of the wing to a true gentleman.

Tags:

NTSB update released yesterday leaves many questions unanswered.

The report goes into great detail about the wreckage information (what was found where, etc) but not much that tips their hand as to where the investigation is going. I know these folks are great at their jobs as investigators but one has to wonder how they can figure out what happened when so little information is available.

The plane, which appears to have never had any maintenance performed on it and who’s fuel was found to be free of contamination or anomolies, just appears to have dropped out of the sky. Speculation abounds on whether this might have been an in-flight breakup given the pilot’s report to line staff at his last stop about turbulence that really had him shaken up to the point that he waited out the winds for over 2 hours before continuing on with his journey. However weather reports for the time don’t really indicate that this would be the cause.

Well keep posting more on this as we find out more about it.

Tags: sad

For those of you who’ve been following this blog, you’ll not be surprised about my enthusiasm for this event! I’ve posted before about the Antilles Super Goose which seems to be very similar in terms of philosophy: take a venerable flying boat design from the middle of the last centrury and bring it up to date with modern composits, engines and avioinics.

You can find more information about this project at the Gweduck website. Their first flight took them up to 1500 feet over Lake Washington in Seattle. When you look at the fuselage in profile, it seems that they have taken quite a few departures from the Widgeon that inspired it. Most notably, it takes on more of the shape of a modern float than the more bulbous shape of the old Grummans.

Anyone got one on order that they could take me up in? Or if you were there for any of the flight testing, please leave us a comment below. Or leave us a note even if you are just interested in the rebirths of the flying boats!

Tags: seaplanes

Ah the joys of Vista… Just recently finished rebuilding my laptop after Vista refused to cooperate any more. Now running with a fresh install and have re-installed all my applications (ok, still finding ones each day that I forgot) and figured it was time to get my podcatching solution in place.

Previously I had been using Juice but I’ve been hearing that it didn’t play well with Vista so I figured I’d see if there is anything else available. There were also some other quirks that felt I could address by trying a new podcatcher. That led me to PodBreeze; so far so good.

Unfortunately, I hadn’t saved an OPML file of my subscribed podcasts so I’m having to rebuild from scratch. As a public service (and so I can find it again in the future), here are my Aviation (and other) podcasts:

• Airspeed Online - http://airspeed.libsyn.com/rss
• Fly With Me - http://joepodcaster.libsyn.com/rss – I haven’t seen a new one of these lately but I’m hoping for the best.
• Pilot’s Flight PodLog - http://pilotwill.libsyn.com/rss
• Betty in the Sky with a Suitecase - http://betty.libsyn.com/rss
• Uncontrolled Airspace - http://feeds.feedburner.com/uncontrolledairspace
• AvWeb Podcasts - http://www.avweb.com/podcast/podcast/index.xml – Hmmm. Doesn’t seem to work in PodBreeze. Might be a deal killer, have to look into this.
• Aero-News.net Podcast - http://www.aero-news.net/podcasts/rsspodcasttoday.xml
• The Finer Points - http://tfpaviation.thefinerpoints.libsynpro.com/rss
• PilotCast - http://pilotcast.com/rss – Here’s hoping that they get back on the air soon…

Professional and Other Guilty Pleasures

• Hanselminutes - http://feeds.feedburner.com/HanselminutesCompleteMP3
• Google Code Blog - http://feeds.feedburner.com/GoogleDeveloperPodcast
• Scott Sigler - http://feeds.feedburner.com/scottsigler – The Future Dark Overlord of Science/Horror/Gore fiction. A must listen if you are not easily offended and like your stories based in reality and yet, all so wrong…

That’s about it for now. Anyone else have any other shows that they prefer to listen to? Chime in using our comments below.

Tags: podcasts