2004 January 1 - March 31

EXCLUSIVE:  The World's Only Twin Engine Jet Glider

We report the story first....

March 31 - Fly-Low Publications was the only aviation news service to witness and photograph the first flights of the “world’s ONLY twin engine jet glider.”  That’s right, the world’s only one.  It may be the worlds only flying jet glider. MORE...

Weather Cam Junkie

March 29 - I like weather cams.  If there was one thing that fascinated my simple mind so much back when the cams first started to pop up on the net, it was those beautiful weather cams.  I could see what the weather was at that moment in all those cities..  I was fascinated, to say the least.  So here is a LINK that will provide you with some interesting weather cams. 

MiG Down, Pilot Lost

March 28 - George Cambron, 50, of Louisville, Ky., was found in the wreckage of his air show MiG about 10 miles northwest of Truth or Consequences, according to State Police officials. For the complete story, go to this PAGE.

If You Think They Are Joking...

March 26 -  If you think they are joking about getting those "little rich boy airplanes" out of the air.. you should go to their websites.  Folks, these guys are most serious.  It is worth any pilot's time to keep informed.  Check out these websites...

Number one                Number two              Number three         Number four

If you go to one of those websites, they apparently capture your email address and you will get mail from the site.  I guess they are looking for supporters.

Accident Rate Low

March 24 - Preliminary numbers from the National Transportation Safety Board indicate that aviation education efforts continue to pay off, with the 2003 general aviation (GA) accident rate hovering near an all-time low, says the AOPA Air Safety Foundation.  MORE...

CAF Implements Safety Program

March 24  – The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) has implemented a top-to-bottom safety program. “It is essential that we change our corporate culture,” said Doug Rozendaal, member of the CAF’s board of directors, “to send a loud and clear message to the entire CAF that we must change the way we do business if we wish to continue flying our Warbirds.”  MORE...

Publisher Flies Eclipse Sim

March 22 - Publishing an aviation publication, electronic or paper, can't be all that bad.  Sometimes it gets real rewarding, as in the case of Publisher Jim Campbell of the Aero-News Network.  Campbell's recent flight to Albuquerque was rewarded with a flight in the Eclipse Simulator.  MORE...

Diamond Certificate Awarded

March 22 - Central Flying Service, Inc. was recently honored with the Federal Aviation Administrations’ (FAA) prestigious Diamond Certificate of Excellence.  The Diamond Certificate of Excellence, the highest honor for employers, is a component of the FAA's Aviation Maintenance Technician Awards program.  MORE...

AOPA Puts A Foot Down...

March 18 - AOPA President Phil Boyer told Congress Tuesday afternoon that after two-and-a-half years of being shut out of the nation's capital, it's time to re-open the door to all of general aviation.

At a hearing on permitting GA flights into Reagan National Airport (held in the Signature Flight Support hangar), Boyer said that it is also time to rescind the Baltimore-Washington air defense identification zone (ADIZ) and once again permit GA pilots to access the national capital area.  MORE...
 

A View From The Other Side

March 17 - Many of us will never make it into outer space.  There is a site on the Internet that allows a mere human on earth to look back at the "Pale Blue Dot" and see it as if we were on the other side.  This site is a good one for the imagination.  The VIEW.

John Grisham and TBIB

March 17 -triv·i·a (trîv¹ê-e) plural noun (used with a sing. or pl. verb)  Insignificant or inessential matters; trifles. 

Trivia, this is trivia...  For those you who enjoy trivial items, this will satisfy you.  There was a bookstore that John Grisham went to to autograph copies of his first book.  Since Grisham was a total unknown, there was no demand for him to participate in a book signing.  We know what a hit his first book was.  He lived in Memphis (TN) at the time.  The first bookstore to request his presence for a book signing was "That Bookstore In Blytheville (TBIB)".  To this day, when Grisham comes out with a new book, he always goes back to TBIB for the first signing... superstitious?  Perhaps, but it seems to work...  TBIB.

Avoid A Mid-Air Collision

March 16 - When I hear someone referring to an almost mid-air collision as a  near miss, I wonder what they really mean.  If it is called a near miss, then it must be a hit, right?  The accurate terminology might be a near hit, meaning almost a hit...  So a near miss means it was a hit, but was almost a miss.  Now I am near-ly confused.  Here is required reading about how to prevent that near-miss, near hit, mid-air collision... whatever.  MORE...

Air Crashes

March 16 - Air crashes aren't as common as car crashes, but we have them.   Approximately 3,500 people die in car crashes each MONTH.  Aviation deaths usually are under 1,500 to 2,000 per YEAR.  The "regular" news media treats plane crashes with such spectacular importance when they do occur, it could scare the heck out of a non-pilot.  Again, more people die in car crashes per month than we have die in planes per year.  With that said, this site has many pictures of current and older plane crashes.  The site is interesting to surf or fly.  MORE...

Good Airport Website

March 16 - While "flying" around the Internet, I always appreciate a good aviation website.  This Missouri airport has a rather nice and enhanced site.   If you know of a good site you would like to recommend to other pilots, just email us the location.  To view this site, go HERE.

Russian Thunder

March 15 - As I stood watching an air show that was being performed under a 1,700 ft ceiling, I noticed a red Yak come out of the bottom of its loop just a few feet above the runway.  I could hear the crowd gasp in awe.  I had to stretch my neck to see if the plane touched the asphalt.  It was that close.  I wondered what makes a man do that?  There was no doubt that the pilot in that red Yak had a real talent.  MORE...

Airport Diagrams FREE

March 15 - This source will provide a pilot with the OFFICIAL airport diagram of the airport of your choice.  Several sources are available to purchase the maps, this is a free government site that will allow you access anytime of the day.  They files are PDF.  MORE...

Dr. Pepper Steps Up To The Plate

March 13 - The International Council of Airshows has hinted for several months that something
"Really New" was in the wind for airshow sponsorship programs.  A program expected to serve as a model for a number of sponsor-dependant industries has been announced in which Dr. Pepper and 7-Up will pony up an amount confirmed to be "well into 6 figures" for a specific series of airshow program sponsorships.   MORE...

Harrison Ford Replaces Chuck Yeager

March 12 - Harrison Ford, best known as a renowned actor in more than three dozen films but also an extremely active pilot and member of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), was introduced today as the new Chairman of the EAA Young Eagles Program, which has flown more than 1 million young people since 1992.  MORE...

AOPA Names Exec

March 12 - The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has named Jeffrey R. Myers to be the association’s first Executive Vice President of Communications.  For more information go HERE.

Ski Missouri

March 11 - You've heard the chilling cry, "Ski Colorado".....  I just returned home from a flight to Missouri/Kansas where I took several pictures of the ONE AND ONLY SKI SLOPE in Missouri.  See the linked page for ski area, downtown KC, Nascar Speedway, and Muddy Mo..  HERE...

Okie 99's Derby

March 11 - In August 2004, there will be a 99's Derby flying out of Will Rogers Airport in Oklahoma City.  If you want more information, go to this SITE.

Have You Ever Wanted too.

March 8 - Sometimes a pilot must dream.  Have you ever wanted to be a Jet Jockey, even just for an hour.  Well, you can.  Bring your "Piggy Bank" and experience a thrill of a lifetime.  L-29, L-39, T-33, Fouga Magister, Mig 15, and Mig 17 -  all are available to some lucky pilot.  There is a flight school in Santa Fe, NM that uses those planes as trainers.  You could be the trainee.  Take a LOOK.

WW II Vintage Flying

March 8 - If you prefer the "Heavy Iron" of a B-17, perhaps the EAA Tour across the country in the "Aluminum Overcast" is your preference.  If so, this site is a place you should GO.

FYI:  Air Accidents and Incidents

March 7 - A column we publish each month is FYI.  These reports are published on the Internet by the NTSB.  We offer the accidents reports to educate other pilots.  These reports are not completed investigations, they are preliminary reports and may change when the final report is delivered at the end of the investigation.  This is our March FYI.

No Ice, Please

March 6 - Some people hate ice in drinks... this pilot hates ice in the air and in drinks.  Ice and small plane flying should never be spoken in the same sentence. If you hate ice as much as Steve Hanshew does, you need to read this STORY.

TFR Map

March 5 - We are always looking for new methods of keeping pilots posted on the problems associated with the forever increasing TFR Pop-Ups.  As we find new websites, passing them on to you as soon as we can is our goal.  This location is from the FAA.  You get a map with the Center locations mapped out and the TFRs highlighted on the map.  It should be current, considering the source.  Check this SITE.

True or False

March 5 - I have heard and repeated come of the things you will find on this page.  These are statements that circulate over the Internet and sometimes in the press.  Did Al Gore say he invented the Internet?  Did President George W. Bush proclaim, "The problem with the French is that they don't have a word for entrepreneur."  Did Neil Armstrong's make the famous "Good Luck, Mr. Gorsky." statement?  Find out, check out this PAGE.

Mack's Hangar

All The Good Quotes Have Been Used!

March 4 - Sometimes Bob Mack just gets wound up and we can't stop him.  60 Minutes has Andy Rooney, we have Bob Mack.  Check out Mack's Hangar.

More Links

March 4 - We have just opened up a new section for Individual Pilot Links on our links page.  Want to show off your plane, wife, kids, dog, or girlfriend...  email us the website URL and we will link your page after it clears our resident censor... 

Information on Arkansas Junior Aviator Award

March 3 - Arkansas has published the information on the Arkansas Junior Aviator of the Year Award.  To view and download this information go to this PAGE.  The deadline for receiving applications is July 15, 2004.

Reader Suggested $100 Hamburger Locations

March 2 - Our $100 Hamburger pages has two parts.  One is where we have visited the restaurant and the other is the Readers Choice.  Those are often better than our suggestions.  The readers list comes from a more variety of locations than our staff couldn't possibility reach.  Take a look at both pages.

Here are a couple of new locations we just received.

Dear Editor,

There is a rather good place to travel and receive that pilot $100 Hamburger.  If you’re near Kansas, the Cattleman’s Restaurant on Inman Ave (Main Street) in Sublette, KS stop in.  The airport has a 4,500 feet runway and 24 hour fuel.  The identifier is 19S.  A couple of other locations in KS include “We-B-Smokin’ at Paola, KS airport and Billard Café at the Billard Airport in Topeka.

 Unsigned E-mail

 Do you have any suggestions for a great $100 Hamburger?  If so, email me by clicking on Contact Us above..

Fly-Low's Favorite Top Ten Stories!

March 1 - We publish lots of stories on all aviation topics every year.  This month, as you most likely know, is our third anniversary.  I thought it would be best to reflect over some of my favorite stories from the past three years.  Here are the top three stories, the remainder of the Top Ten List is linked below.. 

# 1.  The number one favorite story was about a man that I came across in 2002.  A trip to Tucumcari brought me close to a unique individual.  Al Santilli, whose license was signed by Orville Wright, is still flying around the Albuquerque (NM) area at the young age of 90.  He is a most interesting man and his story is a fascinating one.  The story is Orville Wright Signed Me Off.

# 2.  Every so often a story comes around that makes me think.  This story by Bob Mack is one.  Since I am about the same age as Gutzon Borglum when he started work on Mount Rushmore.  I admire achievements of those who we often refer to as senior citizens.  This is a powerful story about the strength and determination of one man and his family.  Gutzon Borglum: The Dreamer 

# 3.  Our third favorite has a bit of humor tied with a secret purchase of an L-39 jet.  The secret was from his kept from his wife.  It was humorous to me, perhaps not to him.  The story is Honey, I Bought The Plane!  Or Five-Day Marital Lockout!

For the remainder of our Top 10 stories got to this LINK.

8/10s Of A Second To Death

February 29- Pilot error caused a U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds F-16 aircraft to crash shortly after takeoff at an air show Sept. 14 at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. The pilot ejected just 8/10s of a second before the aircraft hit the ground.  For the complete story go HERE.

Business Spotlight

Tulco Oil Company

February 29 - Tulco Oils Inc.’s mission statement clearly states their emphasis is on quality and customer service.  It states:

The team members are dedicated in being the preferred supplier of lubricants and lubricating systems by exceeding our customer's expectations for quality products and services in an environment of personal growth challenge and reward.  More...

Murder of a Controller

February 29 - An assailant stabbed to death the air traffic controller who was on duty when two planes collided over southern Germany in July 2002, killing 71 people.  The employ of Skyguide, the Swiss air traffic control was in charge of monitoring parts of Germany's airspace.  The controller that was killed was in charge of monitoring air traffic in the region when two planes, a Tupolev TU 154 and a Boeing 757 cargo plane collided in mid-air. A man whose family was killed in a mid-air crash has been held on suspicion of killing the Swiss air traffic controller For the complete story...

Martians Welcome Rover

February 28 - So far, the Martians have welcomed our Rover.  For current updates go to this SITE.  Both Rovers are moving, digging and chasing Martians. 

EAA Unveils New Homebuilt Camping Area

February 28 - Homebuilt aircraft enthusiasts will have new facilities to enhance their participation in the Experimental Aircraft Association's 52nd annual EAA AirVenture fly-in convention this summer, as a homebuilt camping area and new Homebuilders Headquarters building will open on the grounds.  More...

I Told You!  TFR = PFR

February 27 - I knew it was going to happen.  At the U.S. Navy's insistence, the FAA on Thursday formally proposed turning the Department of Defense (DoD) temporary flight restriction (TFR) over the Kings Bay Naval Base in Georgia into prohibited airspace.  Leave it to the military to want protection from those awful dangerous little Cessna 152s.  Absurd!  Totally Ridiculous! If we don't SPEAK OUT....  our free sky will soon be owned by the military and the commercial airlines.  If you haven't written a letter in a while...  Read this document and then write.  It is time we stand up and be counted in FORCE.  Go to HERE!

After you read the information presented by AOPA, then read THIS.

And then speak for us!

Another Airspace Grab!

February 27 - Just as the above story indicates a grab of airspace, this story is another scenario of airspace grab.  This grab is from the general public with the assistance of lawyers.  Pilots, please realize that the free sky is no longer going to remain free unless a large push by each individual pilot is seen and heard.  Take a LOOK.

Enola Gay

February 26 - There is a very interesting website at this SITE.  Many of have grown up with the Hiroshima story and Brig. General Paul Tibbets.  In previous communication with General Tibbets, I found him to be one  heck of a nice guy.  This website has history and facts about both Enola Gay and Tibbets.

A Gathering of Eagles

February 26 - NorthWest Arkansas Community College is sponsoring the annual Gathering of Eagles dinner and festivities. Mark your calendars for Saturday night, the 13^th of March, at 6:00 PM, in the Shewmaker Center at the college campus in Bentonville.  For more information got to HERE.

FSS: A Change Is Gonna Come, Like it or not...

February 25 - Within a few years, there will be some MAJOR changes made to the current Flight Service Stations (FSS).  The changes will include a major downsizing without changing any of the services...  so they say.  To get a better over all look at what is currently happening, go to this PAGE.

TFR Map Provided By FAA

February 25 - As most pilots search the web for safety information, this is one site worth a bookmark.  It contains an FAA map of the current TFRs.  Since TFRs pop up instantly, a pilot can never have too much information.  Better to have the information than to be sitting at a local FSDO explaining why you busted one.  Check this PAGE.

Texas Fly-In & Outs

February 24 - A Texas pilot performs a nice service to other aviators, once a week he sends out an e-mail of the Texas aviation events and Fly-Ins.  I have placed this weeks LINK on my website.  If you want to receive this email, his address is on this link page.

Learn To Fly

February 23 - Flight Schools have organized with a common front.  This SITE will lead you to many of the flight schools that are certified.  Other certified flight schools are listed on our LINKS page.  If you're an aspiring pilot, contact one of these schools for more information and an introductory flight.  You'll never be sorry you did.  Often, there is a CFI at your local airport.  Contact him/her for your first flight.

A Salute To The Five Who Died In 1945

February 23 - Bedford (VA) is a town of history.  The downtown area is a historic landmark.  Small narrow streets that date back to the very early days of this country.  It is a nice town to visit and perhaps stay a night or two.  This SITE honors five Army Airmen who died in a B-25 crash in 1943. Gone - but not forgotten.  Take a look..

Do You Belong To The AAA?

February 20 - If not you might want to go to this SITE.  It is the home of the Antique Airplane Association of the Kansas City Area.

Shop EBay For Your Mig

February 19 - Two MiG-29 fighters were put up for the well-known EBay internet auction in the USA on Tuesday evening. The starting price of each of them is 3.5 million dollars. MORE...

 

February 18 - When flying in the western part of the US, a stop at the highest airport in the North American Continent is a must.  While you're there ask for a the certificate that officially recognizes you as one of the few pilots that have mastered the 9927' above sea level runway.  I got mine in 1999.  It is framed on my office wall.  Here is the LINK.

Steal It, Take It Back

February 17 - Wanted: An airplane strong enough to carry the 70-ton pieces of an ancient obelisk from Rome to Ethiopia, nearly seven decades after Italian Fascist forces hauled the monument out of Africa. Engineers dismantled the 1,700-year-old Axum Obelisk at the end of last year from where it had stood since 1937 near the Circus Maximus in central Rome after the Fascist invasion of Ethiopia. Divided into three sections, the obelisk is in storage near a Rome airport.  More...

Air Zoo, Too...

February 17 - The Air Zoo in Kalamazoo (MI) will pay tribute to the history of flight in May with the opening of an interactive aviation museum. The new Air Zoo will feature more than 80 vintage aircraft, character actors in the roles of famous aviators, amusement rides, Smithsonian exhibitions and 4-D theaters, which combine 3-D filmmaking with other special effects.  More...

Non-Aviation Related

February 16 - This is more computer related.  Since we use computers to their fullest; viruses and such are not wanted on our baby, this site is good to check for the little bugs that Virus Protectors don't catch.  You can check your computer with this SITE and if it needs cleaning go to this SITE.   Please do so at your own risk.  Fly-Low does not recommend you use them, we just make you aware of them.  For what it's worth, I used them and had no ill effects from my laptop that uses XP.

Copperstate Fly-In

February 13 - This year the fly-in is in October..  not too soon to plan for one of the best around.  To get update and times.  Check out their website.... HERE.

EAA Camp

February 13 - The fascinating world of flight opens for all ages once again in 2004 as the nation's longest-running aviation camp, the Experimental Aircraft Association's EAA Air Academy, presents a complete schedule of residence programs this summer. This year's youth program schedule will begin on June 12 and end on Aug. 9.  More information is HERE.

AOPA Fly-In & Open House

February 13 - Thousands of pilots and aviation enthusiasts, and hundreds of aircraft are expected for the 14th annual AOPA Fly-In and Open House,  June 5 at AOPA Headquarters in Frederick, Md. It has become the biggest one-day fly-in in the nation.

"AOPA Fly-In is something we look forward to all year long," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "We get to meet our members face-to-face, show them where we work and what we do to protect their interests the other 364 days a year."  MORE...

Kids Say The Darndest Things

February 12 - Back before reality TV gave us an assortment of pathetic real-life characters caught up in a staged world of angst and misery, we had a different sort of reality-based television. It was funny too. Thanks to Art Linkletter and later Bill Cosby, we had the entertainment of watching “Kids Say The Darndest Things”.  Aviation kids talk... we report...  HERE..

Women In Aviation, Check Them Out

February 12 - Aviation Archives today acknowledges 'one giant leap for women' as Astronaut Eileen Collins pioneered yet another new frontier focusing attention on women's achievements. Col. Collins, gained worldwide recognition, as NASA's first female shuttle commander. On Tuesday, Collins successfully brought Columbia safely back home to earth and made good on her statement given at the White House official announcement of her selection as commander. She said, "It is my hope that all children--boys and girls, will see this mission and be inspired to reach for their dreams, 'because dreams do come true.'"

So You Feel Safe With Your ELT?

February 11 - With a failure rate of 88%, that makes me a bit nervous, especially, if I ever had to make an emergency landing.  I have heard stories that the Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) were known for going off on landing and not in an accident.  There must be some truth to the rumors, according to the statistics presented by the FAA.  I guess that forty dollar ELT battery I put in it every two years won’t do any good on impact, either.  Too bad…  all that money wasted.  To find out MORE. 

Mars Rover Still Working

February 11 - Number two Rover, Opportunity,  is still working and sending those Martian pictures.  Keep updated by going to HERE.

Photo NASA/JPL >>>>

FARs, When Your Lonesone.

February 10 - If you get lonesome and want some company, you can hook up your Internet source and read all the FARs.  You've heard of the never ending story, the FARs will put you to sleep.  Good to know, but hard to hold.  Start your reading now.  Got to HERE.

737 Skids Off Runway at Kansas City International

February 9 - For the fourth time this winter, an aircraft partially skidded off the pavement at Kansas City International (MCI) Friday, leading officials at the airport to wonder just what's going on.

"We normally have zero," spokesman Joe McBride said. None of the 151 people on board the Delta 737 involved in Friday's incident was hurt, he said.  More...

FYI:  Accident Report

February 9 - FYI is a monthly column we take from the NTSB website to better inform pilots of accidents that have happened to other pilots.  FYI (For Your Information) is a learning tool.  If we see what accidents have occurred around the country, as a pilot, we might not make that same mistake.  This month we feature the possibility of a medical emergency that results in a crash, a aerobatic box invaded by another plane, and a snowy instrument approach to a Colorado airport that went bad.  More...

Virus or Hoax?

February 8 - How many times have you gotten an e-mail that nicely tells you how to self-destruct your own computer?  How many times have you received a chain letter that promises 'mucha dinero' if you just pass this letter on, you will receive $245 per letter you send..  Has the money come, yet?  This website will give you the answer to "Is it a virus or a hoax?"  Check this SITE and this SITE.

EAA Ultralight Instructor School

February 6 - Aviation enthusiasts working toward an ultralight instructor rating or sharpening their instruction skills have an opportunity to participate in two days of high-quality instruction sponsored by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA).

A Meeting of Cherokees

February 5 - A tribal meeting of Cherokees is in the plans for 2004.  If you're interested, click on the Indian.

A Legend Passes

February 5 - Duane Cole, longtime EAA member, air show performer and aerobatic instructor, passed away of natural causes Tuesday morning in Burleson, Texas. He was 89.

For more info go to HERE, HERE, and HERE.

More Aviation News

February 5 - News and more news..  this is GAMA (General Aviation Manufacturer's Association).  Not a bad source for "What's Happening First Hand!"

Texas T-Cart ----

             Not A Horse & Buggy!

February 4 - A Texas T-Cart is not a horse and buggy.  It is a Texas Air Show team that consist to Randy and Di Henderson.  I told Randy that I had written a story on about Di, but I had mentioned he and the plane a couple of times.  Randy said, "That's good.  I always tell everyone that Di is the brains and the beauty of the act and that I just drive the bus."  If you want to read about the bus driver, go HERE.

Mack's Hangar

               Speak For Me

February 3 - Some media reports say that the threats to this country are easing.  During January, when things are supposed to be easing, the website for the FAA issued fourteen new or reworked Temporary Flight Restricted areas.  Now, what is the truth?  Are things better?  Or not? Click on Mack's Hangar >>>>.

Missing Kids.com

February 2 - From time to time, we will run pictures with the history of a missing kid.  This is the website where we pull the information.  Click on the logo>>>

"FIFI" Isn't The Only One

February 1 - "FIFI" a Boeing B-29 owned by the Commemorative Air Force is not the only one out there.  There is a B-29 being reconditioned in Kansas.  She will fly again.  Click on the picture for the story.

The Optimization of Lift

January 31 - This is a very good website.  If you want to know the whys and wherefores of how we fly.  Take a look at this aeronautics site by clicking on the wing.  It might just help one understand the dreaded stall.

Wonder What Happened to the Spruce Goose?

January 31 - The "Goose" is alive and well living in McMinnville, Oregon, at the Evergreen Museum.  The eight-engine wonder is in good shape and available for public viewing, something it wasn't when Howard Hughes was alive.  Click on the logo.

EAA Museum 2004 Events

January 31 - Special events, exhibits and activities are among the spectacular highlights of this year's schedule at the world-class EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh, which celebrates its 21st year of operation in 2004.

Among the feature events in 2004 are programs featuring the Tuskegee Airmen, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the D-Day invasion and honoring the 100th anniversary of famed pilot/designer Steve Wittman's birth.  For the story and complete schedule, click on the picture.

Twin Takes Out Trojan Phylers T-28s

January 30 - Two of the three Trojan Phylers T-28s took a hit from a twin engine attempting to make a return to field after an engine failure.  Here is the story.

Another News Source

January 30 - If world aviation news is your bag, then this site is for you.  It contains more of the information about world carriers, not exactly a general aviation site.  There is a lot of aviation new on it.  Click on the logo to go.

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  SkyVenture Flight School

January 29 - Every month we have a feature story call Business Spotlight.  Over the past years we have featured many businesses.  Those stories are in our archives.  This month our Spotlight is on a flight school in Jonesboro, AR.  Take a LOOK.

Good Aviation News Source

January 29 - Over the years, I have watched this website grow into a strong voice for general aviation.  They pull no punches when it come to standing up for "right" in aviation.  The site is the most up-to-date aviation source anywhere.  An email is sent if you want to just receive the news in text form.  Occasionally, you will find stories from FLY-LOW on their site (like the story below).  A good friend, Jim Campbell the Editor, has taken his idea to places others fear to tread.  This is good for general aviation.  Take a look... click on the logo above. 

Kitty Hawk Flyer Flops, Missouri Flyer Flies

January 28 - Tucked away in the hills of Missouri was a pilot building a replica of the Wright brothers Flyer with the anticipation of a December 17th flight.  We heard about the Kitty Hawk Flyer Replica, over and over.  But only a few of us knew of this man from Missouri.  When December 17th came, things didn't work as planned for the Missouri Flyer or the Kitty Hawk Flyer.  But on January 10th, it was a different story in the "Show Me State".  The Missouri Flyer flew.  It's a good story about determination and stamina  Take a LOOK..

From Russia (News), With Love

January 28 - There is an interesting aviation website that originates in Russia.  It is not that I will ever get over there for an interview, but some of the things they post are interesting and informative. 

Here is an example of today's Russia Aviation News:

Russian leading airplane manufacturing companies MiG and Sukhoi took interest in Russian Vice Premier Boris Alyoshin's proposal to form within the next two years a single national airplane manufacturing company.

 

"We take great interest in the idea of the unification of all Russian air forces into a single fist. This is a normal concept and in the perspective we are ready to participate in the formation of the single Russian air-holding," Sukhoi corporation representative disclosed to a RIA Novosti correspondent.   Click on the logo above to take a look.
 

Tennessee Aviation Museum Second Year

January 26 - On December 15^th, the Tennessee Museum of Aviation and Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame marked two years since opening its doors, at the airport, in Sevierville (TN).   The museum continues to make great strides as it seeks recognition and support for Tennessee’s first and only center of aviation history.  For the complete story GO...

EAA's Centennial Homebuilt Report

January 22 - The Experimental Aircraft Association's "Centennial Homebuilt" program, designed to recognize aircraft builders who completed their projects during the flight centennial year of 2003, has been successful beyond original expectations.  More than 650 aircraft builders have now received recognition for completing their projects.  Take a LOOK...

FAA Gives Away Free e-Sectionals....

January 22 - Who said Uncle Sam was too cheap to give away anything?  Go to this FAA site get a free sectional of the location of your choice. 

Ninety-Nines Top One Million Dollars

January 21 - The Ninety-Nines established the Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarship Fund in 1940 to honor their first president and perpetuate her unselfish enthusiasm for all women pilots.  The fund has now topped over one million dollars.  To read more here is a news release.

To learn more about Amelia Earhart go to this link.

And this site... 

Nuclear Davy Crockett

January 21 - Remember the 1960's cold war?  Have you ever wondered how advanced the U. S. Military was?  There was a lot of things not available to us back in the sixties.  It is now and this link will surprise you.  It shows just how advanced we were and how prepared we were for ground nuclear fighting.  This was a 1960's Davy Crockett.

This link give the answers to your top fifty nuclear questions.   Go to.50 Questions.

Educate The Media

January 20 - It seems that only the aviation media has a true prospective of the dangers/hazards of aviation.  If you have access to the media in your town/state, then by all means make yourself available to them.  A pilot's prospective has to be better than a non-flying realtor (the expert quoted on the CBS piece).  Eye On America (CBS) did a poor job of transferring factual knowledge to the general public in one of Bob Orr's stories last week.  It is up to all pilots to keep the truth in the foreground. 

Nukes Are Safe From The Air

January 20 - I can't count the number of times I have heard the media report of the dangers of nuclear plants when discussing general aviation.  The general public, lacking the knowledge, can be swayed to a fearful state concerning the hazards of a private plane toward a nuclear plant or a large building.  The vision of the full of fuel jet liner crashing into the twin towers is what the general public remembers.  A Cessna 172 crashing into the same building would not cause the same damage, but does Jon Q Public know that?  This story is an attempt to educate.  Read on...

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)

Get Your Pilot Association News

January 17 - Here are some of the pilot associations that we have good website addresses.  Perhaps, you don't belong to your state organization and would like too. If your state pilots association is not listed here, email it address to us.  In this day and time, there is strength in numbers.  Aviation needs the strength and involvement. 

Pilot's Associations

(click on name for link)

Texas - Oregon - Montana - Colorado - Missouri - California - Utah - Iowa - North Dakota - Tennessee - Idaho - Washington - Illinois - New Mexico

United States Pilots Association

Another good location for airplane surfing is this site in Kansas City. 

One more, if you fly out west this site has good info, FLY NEW MEXICO.

Branson (MO) To Turn Cow Pasture into Airport

January 17 - Set atop 900 acres of cow pasture 10 miles south of Branson off U.S. 65, the airport will have a runway as long as one of Springfield's two runways. Two national airlines are interested in providing low-cost flights to major hubs including Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.  See story in Springfield's (MO) News-Leader Newspaper...

AOPA Blast CBS News

January 16 - It appears that the major news media have NOT one idea of what goes on in the aviation world.  They have once again reported a bias story that give every pilot a 'black eye'.  There seems no end to the ignorance of the reporters for the non-aviation community.  I only wish those reporters had made such a big deal out of rental trucks after the Oklahoma City bombing.  I guess there wasn't much to arouse the public as there is when talking about that mystery "flying machine."  The news reporter and CBS were taken on by Phil Boyer of AOPA.  Read more about it HERE.  

New $100 Hamburger Location Opens

January 15 - Drake Field (FYV) in Fayetteville (AR) now has a newly opened restaurant.  The Aviator’s Grill is a favorite $100 Hamburger location. More...

Another $100 Hamburger in New Mexico closes after 50 years..  More...

Websites to Surf

January 14 - Here are a few interesting websites that you might enjoy. 

This one gives you some great shots from the new Spitzer Telescope. 

From Hubble comes photos that are pure and so good...  Check Hubble.

Of course, it is now time to check out the AirVenture website.  If you're planning on staying in dorms at the University of Wisconsin, better get on the list now.  Several dorms are not going to be used this year.  That means a shortage of rooms for AirVenture travelers.  Check OSH.

One more place to travel.  Here you can check N - Number... pilots... NTSB accidents...  medical examiners database..  and much more.  Go to FAA

Air Show Shopping

January 13 - If your city or airport is planning on putting on an air show or if you have one and you need performers.  A good place to go to find them is www.fly-low.com.  On our newly designed website, we have on our links page some of the nation's most popular performers.  Their websites are linked from our site. 

                  Photo of Aeroshell Team at Oshkosh >>>>>

Looking for good performers at reasonable pricing.  We might be able to help smaller airports put on an air show with contacts we have.  It applies to states in the central part of the country.  Travel expenses, you know.  If you're interested, contact ralph@fly-low.com 

We offer to link other performers from our site upon their request…   Send request to airmail@fly-low.com.

Social Security Number Protection

January 13 - Identity theft is becoming more and more of a problem.  That valuable Social Security Number we have been used on checks, driver’s license, and pilots license is now being taken by unscrupulous individuals.  With just limited information, this person can buy a new car or a house of furniture on YOUR credit.  This applies to your Airmen Number....  If you used your Social Security Number.  To change your Airmen number check this link.

EAA Launching the Next Century of Flight


January 12 - The world's greatest general aviation event, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, is launching the next century of flight during EAA AirVenture 2004, which will be held July 27-August 2 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

The 52nd annual EAA gathering, which draws more than 10,000 airplanes and attendance in excess of 750,000 each year, will pay special attention to the what lies ahead for the world of flight, along with recognizing the legacy that has been built by a century of aviation.  More...

TFR Handled Differently 

Jan 12 - Sometime, it appears, our leaders can’t see the forest for the trees.  It would be nice to see that someone UP THERE in Washington would use common sense when it comes to general aviation.  Fly-Low’s conversations with officials of the Transportation Security Association (TSA) indicate a trend of those officials in Washington to judge the terrorist threats in two ways.  One is to consider the rules and regulations for the larger populated areas differently than the rules for the country folks.  Obvious the danger and lifestyles of those in New York, a town of millions, will differ for Wyoming.  Therefore, the two can be treated differently if TFRs are necessary.  This is what AOPA, EAA & the pilot population have been trying to scream toward Washington since 2001.  “It is ok to treat the states differently!”  That is our cry.  “Give us a break!”   More...

Welcome...........

Thanks!!! 

I notified many pilots this week that our website had been rejuvenated as of January 1.  As our website stats show, a lot of you came to look.  I hope that you will come back daily to check on the updates.  My goal is to make this a compliment to the hard copy version of FLY-LOW.  This remake was planned for some time and the time seemed right.   

FLY-LOW is a monthly publication that is FREE to pilots in over 850 FBOs and aviation related businesses in over eighteen states.  Yep, we’re FREE, only because of those fantastic advertisers you will find in our hardcopy issue, most you will find on our links page.  You will not find everything online that is in our hardcopy edition, so find an FBO that has the magazine and grab one…  If you can’t find one in your FBO, subscriptions are available by clicking HERE.   

So, THANK YOU visitors to eFly-Low….  Ya’ll come back, hear!

Throttle Forward and Fly-Low....

 Ralph

Ralph McCormick

Publisher/Editor

Major Airline Crashes

January 9 - Remember the crash of the Fairchild Colonial Air Transport in a ground collision on October 30, 1927 in New Brunswick, NJ?  Or perhaps, you remember the FC-2 Colonial Western Airways crash on January 8, 1928 in Rural Grove, NY.  Both were ground collisions.  Seven people died in those separate crashes.   I wasn't even alive when those happened and neither were you, right?

I was eleven years old on June 30, 1956; I remember a collision of two commercial planes over the Grand Canyon.  I looked them up on this site and sure enough there they are.  One was a TWA Super Constellation and the other was a United Airlines DC-7.  Both planes combined held 128 “souls on board”.  All were killed.  That event put new restrictions on commercial aircraft and their flying habits.   

If you like to follow airline crashes that have occurred in the last century, this site is a good one. This website list all the major airline crashes from 1920 to 2002.  Take a look at this….  More…

Chasing the Moon, Space Station & Mars

January 8 - We’re on Mars shooting those pictures with “Spirit”.  The website is taking a huge amount of hits at the present time.  By early Tuesday (January 6^th), visitors downloaded nearly 15 terabytes of information from NASA/Mars Websites.  To hold 15 terabytes, it would take a stack of more than 20,000 CDs – without cases – reaching more than 100 feet high.  If you run into problems with getting into the site… keep trying.  Now here is how to locate the moon and space station.... More...

NASA/JPL/Arizona State University  >>>>>>

Warbird Conference

January 8 - The 10^th Annual National Warbird Operator Conference (NWOC) will hold its annual meeting in Oklahoma City (OK) from February 26^th to the 29^th.  NWOC brings together owners, operators and museums of Warbirds to discuss the common goals.  More...

Drivers License Flying is Near?

January 8 — Over the holidays, the FAA sent the proposed rule to establish the Sport Pilot certificate to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) — the last step before the FAA can issue the rule. Within 90 days, OMB has to rule whether or not the new rule has any negative economic impacts.

"The single greatest benefit for AOPA members in this proposed rule is the driver's license medical requirement," said AOPA Senior Vice President of Government and Technical Affairs Andy Cebula. "It means that pilots who are otherwise healthy but unable to obtain an FAA medical certificate will be able to continue flying."  More...

AOPA - Strength In Numbers

January 7 - AOPA ushers in 2004 with nearly 402,000 members (401,952), representing nearly two-thirds of the entire U.S. pilot population, and more than three out of every four general aviation pilots.  AOPA gained some 11,000 new members in 2003.

"As I said when we first topped 400,000 members, politicians and bureaucrats do pay attention to numbers," said AOPA President Phil Boyer.  "Speaking with one voice for so many members - particularly members who vote and contribute to political campaigns - gains AOPA access and special credence. No other organization can match that."  More...
 

January's Business Spotlight

January 7 - Every month, FLY-LOW features a Business Spotlight on a special business.  This month we feature Crider Aircraft Painting of Mena, AR. More...

If you would like to read past Business Spotlights go to this link.

Arkansas Pilots Association to Re-organize

January 7 - The pilot organization has been inactive since the late 90’s.  Plans are now in the works to re-organize the sixty year old organization.  To find out more go to APA.

How We Calculate our Success

January 7 - I travel into many airports in different states.  As a new start up magazine of just three years, we'll take success in any form.  Our method of calculating success may differ from others.  More...

Cheated Death, Again!

January 6 - A phone call from my dad came not only as a surprise, but the idea of going fishing in Canada was down right exciting.  Not just a regular ol’ fishin’ trip but a Canadian Fishing Trip!   My excitement was raised even higher when he told me we would make the trip by private plane.  Now the trip was a Canadian ‘Fly-In’ Fishing Trip!   “Wow, what a trip.  This is too good to be true,” I thought.  More...

Front Cover Rejects...

January 6 - Thousands of photos are taken by Fly-Low's photographers each year.  We can only choose 12 for front covers.  That leaves over 1,500 other pictures that go unused.  Some are pretty good and some are just plain bad.  We won't show you the bad ones..  I think there were two of them... we will show you some of the good ones from time to time.  This page contains a few of the left-over 2003 shots.  Go to pix page.

VFR TFR: No Loitering Please

January 6 - Yep, NO loitering if you're VFR.  Those words of wisdom from FSS and even a NOTAM worded as such.  I fly out of an airport that is less than 10 miles from a nuclear plant.  It has never been a problem... until 9/11/2001.  I doubt that any plane would make a dent in the containment building at the plant, BUT it is most wise for pilots NOT to loiter (circle to take picture for example) around nuclear plants, dams, refineries, industrial complexes, military facilities and other similar facilities. Pilot should not circle as to loiter in the vicinity of such facilities.  This is not the time to fly stupidly.... If we do, it will only mean more problems and more TFR's.    Current NOTAM list.

First Pictures From "Spirit" On Mars

January 5 - Finally, NASA put it together.  We have one of ours on Mars looking for "little green men" or evidence of water (whichever comes first).  If you would like to see the pictures being received from Mars, go to this website....  NASA

"Doc" Guy Baldwin is Oklahoma's Aviator of The Year

January 5 - Oklahoma Aeronautical Commission presented Dr. Guy Baldwin of Tulsa (OK) with the Oklahoma Aviator of the Year award.  The December event at the Oklahoma City Wiley Post Airport was a celebration of the 100^th Anniversary of controlled powered flight. This was also the fortieth anniversary of the Oklahoma Aeronautical Commission.  Governor Brad Henry recognized aviation heroes; such as Wiley Post, astronaut Tom Stafford, and Ray Siegfried for Nordam’s contributions.  Lieutenant Governor Mary Fallin presented three proclamations to contributors of aviation.  More...

Show & Tell

January 5 - Owning an airplane is just one part of flying.  Sharing the plane is the other.  There is a plane owned by Janet McCullough who lives in Missouri.  Glen Schley and Janet McCullough are the pilots of this Vultee BT-13.  At every event where the plane shows, one request the owner makes is that the plane be in a location where the spectators can get near and touch the plane.  This plane is in pristine condition, considering it was manufactured by Vultee Aircraft in Nashville, TN and delivered to the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) on August 5, 1941.  More...

Hot Wings 

January 4 - The day before Thanksgiving, Pablo Pinzon did what every pilot loves to do. He took a local flight in his pristine 1946 Champ. Pablo flies out of Chickasha (OK). The day was a beautiful clear Oklahoma day. The Champ was performing exceptionally well. Suddenly, there was a slight shutter and vibration. Not expecting any problems, Pablo began to look for the cause. Nothing could be found, so he headed to the nearest airport. The vibration got worse, the oil temp and pressure remained good. And then, every pilots nightmare, the engine just stopped dead cold. Realizing that he wasn’t going to make it to any airport, he decided to land on U. S. Highway 81, which was right under him. At this time, he was just south of Minco (OK). More.....

To Whom We Owe Much

Glenn Hammond Curtiss (1878-1930) was an American aviation pioneer who developed the first airplane to complete a one-kilometer flight (1908), the first seaplane (1911), and the aileron (1911).  He constantly had battles with the Wright Brothers Company over patents of their flying machine.  The Wrights had discovered the process of powered flight, but Curtiss made it fly, better and further.  Nothing seemed to hold him back.  Personally, I would call him a “mover and a shaker”, by today’s standards.  More
 
 
Business Spotlight "Aces High" 

Marie Wilson, founder and owner of Aces High Aviation, didn’t begin to follow her dream of flying, which began at the age of three, until her youngest child had left the nest. She earned her Private pilots license in May of 1986. Earlier, she had received her Masters and Doctoral degrees in Curriculum and Development. It was only logical that she combined her two passions. She went on to get her ground instructors rating, which was followed by her CFI, CFII and MEI. Marie was on Cloud 9. People now paid her to fly. She has logged over 4000 flight hours since and earned the nickname “Sky Mom” from her students.  More...
 
HolleyFest To Change Date   
                    

HolleyFest, an Arkansas aviation community will change the date of the fly-in event for 2004.  This move in hopes getting into better weather.  The last years event was affected by storms and rain.  For more information go to Holley Mountain.   

Good Wx to You
There are hundreds of websites on the internet that feature weather.  This is a real good weather site.  Take a look, go to WX.
 
Colorado Pilots Association Website
Here is a featured site.  If your state pilots association has a website, email us the location.  To check out Colorado Pilots Association...  Go to CPA.
 

Have You Checked In On AOPA        
AOPA's website is loaded with information and TFR warnings.  If you haven't checked in on the website, now is the time.  To remain current on the airspace around you, go to AOPA.
 
 
ELTs, Good, Bad, or Indifferent...

This is a government website that deals with ELTs.  Most of us fly with older, outdated ELTs that seem to want to go off sitting in a hangar instead of during a crash.  This is good reading...  More...
 

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