THE INFANCY OF AVIATION 

What is happening in aviation as we go into our second hundred years?  Most of us may be cruising at three thousand feet at 110 knots, a few pilots are moving at unbelievable speeds and heights.  StarShipOne can now take us to the edge of outer space without a space suit (Not sure I feel comfortable surrounded by composite materials and no pressure suit).  NASA is moving its X-43 (unmanned) at speeds up to Mach 10.  

It is the things of which Wilbur, Orville, & Glenn could have only dreamed.  They were quite happy with speeds much slower.  It is easy to believe flight is in its adult stage.  Sometimes, we forget that flight is STILL in its infancy.   Perhaps, because we have become complacent with our 110 knots, since that is all Cessna, Piper, and Mooney have provided.  Well, they have given us 200 – 300 knots, but one needs more money to get those speeds.  In 2104, I hope those fine folks won’t be flying a 1967 Cessna.  Change will have to come; one-hundred fifty year old airplanes will be less than adequate to fly in 2104. 

HEED THE CHANGES 

Things continue to change for general aviation.  It appears that pilots will have to start producing original birth certificates in order to take continue pilot training (may include a BFR).  TSA and Homeland Security are running the show.  While I complement them for attempting to improve screening of passengers on major airlines, I find fault with the continued harassment of flight schools and the general pilot population.  I still remember that the planes that hit the world trade center were not Cessna 172s.   

While we have attempted to work around the VIP TFRs all year, it is such a pleasure to have the VIP TFRs reduced.  We update www.fly-low.com TFR postings twice a day, usually at around 1200 Zulu and 0100 Zulu.  The TFRs haven’t changed much in the past five days.  At one time we were updating the site three to four times a day, with around forty TFRs new and current…  That didn’t take into consideration the TFRs that have been around for a couple of years, i.e. Disneyland and Disney World TFRs.  Yes, they are still there and there has not been one threat against either place…   Often times, there appears to be no equity in the displacement of rules and regs. 

READERS CONNECT TO STORIES 

Last issue we brought you “The Magnanimity of Curtiss” and “Transcontinental Air Transport”.  Both stories brought us quite a few letters and e-mails.  It seems that many folks agree that Glenn Curtiss’ contribution to aviation is under-rated.  The story about Lindbergh’s attempt to create a nationwide flight/train system brought back memories to many of our readers.  It seems that some had close ties to the event.  We published one such e-mail in our Air Mail column. 

We offer all readers the opportunity to voice their opinion.  By printing most of the letters we receive, we do however reserve the right to edit before printing.  We do require a name and phone number so that we might confirm the information, should we need to.  That, of course, depends on the content of the letter.  We don’t expect to please everyone.  It is nice to receive all types of mail, the good, the bad, but not the ugly.  If you have a story you would like to share with our readers, we urge you to send the completed story to us via e-mail along with any pictures.   

HOLIDAY WISHES 

Every year is special because we live in a FREE country and can share our love of family, God, and country with all.  Despite all the ‘hoopla’ we see on TV, the real meaning of Christmas is not found at Wal-Mart.  Take time to enjoy the season with your family and friends.  Make your gifts this year include a bit of yourself.  Thank you for reading FLY-LOW for the past year and we hope that we’ll see you every month in 2005.   It is the wish of the staff at FLY-LOW that you and your family enjoy all the benefits this country has to offer in 2005. 

Throttle Forward, Fly-Low and God Bless….