Prior to any flight, I almost ALWAYS use SkyVector to help me plan. It’s a 100% free website (www.skyvector.com) with up-to-date, high resolution scans of sectionals and area charts. It’s super easy to use and even has fairly decent flight planning capabilities. It’s very easy to map out different routes and see the mileage and necessary waypoints. Furthermore, almost every object on the map (Airports and NAV points especially), you can click and get very detailed information about. I know it says you aren’t supposed to use it for official navigation purposes, but I honestly haven’t purchased an official sectional since the printouts of these can look even better and you don’t need to figure out how to fold a huge map.

The AOPA flight planning tool (from www.aopa.org) is another useful flight planning tool. Its “maps” aren’t as great as SkyVector (I like the usual sectional maps from SkyVector more), but the AOPA tool can help me calculate winds and flight times since it has a robust database of planes and performance. It definitely helps with the math aspect….and it’s free for AOPA members.

In terms of weather, I use two websites and one iOS app to help me plan. To help me plan my future scheduling, I’m usually using Weather Underground to keep a general eye on what I think the weather will be on the day(s) I want to fly. It can get VERY detailed and tends to have real observation data from all the airports/areas I would want to fly. A few hours before my flight, I then use DUAT to get me an official briefing and route-specific weather. Plus, that will give me the OFFICIAL information I need regarding TFRs and NOTAMs and such. If there’s any doubt in my mind that it won’t be a beautiful day to fly, I’ll actually CALL for a briefing, but since I’m always flying VFR on generally pretty days, DUAT works for me.

On the way to the airport, I start using the AeroWeather Pro app on my iPhone/iPad. It pulls all the current METAR observations and terminal area forecasts (TAFs) and translates it into normal English – no decoding required (unless you like reading the code, you can choose which you prefer). The other great thing about this app (there’s a free ad-supported version or for $3.99 (as of April 9, 2012) you get the PRO version (which I use)), is that it uses your device GPS to pull the nearest stations. VERY useful when checking weather en-route or at my destination prior to flying back.  You can read my full review of this great app I did a while back, if you want further details.

Well, that completes what I usually do PRIOR to actually getting to the airport and flying. What does everybody like to use? Next post I’ll cover what I use AT the airport, during flight, and beyond.

I was firstly surprised at the amount of space inside the copter.  From the outside the thing looks dinky (it’s just a two-seater Bell), but on the inside there was plenty of room spread out…more room than the typical Cessna 152′s or 172′s that I’m used to flying at least.  I was also surprised by how sensitive the controls are.  I remember being scared of airplane controls at first, but then quickly realizing it takes a LOT of input to move the plane.  With this helicopter, literally 1-2 millimeters of movement on the stick could drastically change the course/angle of the craft.  Granted, I’m sure with practice it becomes second-nature, but today it was definitely challenging to keep the copter in proper hover.

It was a LOT of fun, but I think I’ll stick to my fixed-wing airplanes.  It just took toooo much control; you have to constantly be adjusting and manipulating the controls.  Definitely not a craft that you can relax, sit back, and “let the plane fly itself” as my instructor sometimes used to say.  Plus, generally speaking, you are only a few hundred feet above the ground, so any issues and you VERY QUICKLY need to fix them.  The lower altitude and glass-surround cockpit really make you feel like you are IN the air though…that was sweet.

So, although I didn’t catch the helicopter fever, this once again sparked my passion for flying.  I can’t wait to get up in the air again (in a trusty Cessna)!

• Some Windy Flying
• Really Nailing Crosswind Landings
• Nailing Crosswind Landings
• Challenging Windy Lesson Four

The New York Times compiled recordings of phone and ATC radio communications from the time of the events on September 11th, 2001.  Conversations between ATC and the hiacked planes, conversations between NORAD and the ATC centers, stuff like that.  It’s actually a VERY cool compilation, putting all the recording with a detailed timeline and description of the unfolding events.  The conversations themselves are at times very shocking – from hearing the actual hijacking to authorization from the Vice President to shoot down civilian planes if they don’t cooperate.  Scary stuff!

I highly recommend taking a look and listen…

What I think is pretty cool about this whole problem, is how amazingly quick and accurate the response from authorities can be.  Check out this video (which shows IN REAL TIME) a police helicopter getting hit with a laser, them pinpointing the source, sending the cops, and arresting the idiot within like 2 minutes!  Amazing stuff!

Any pilots have experience getting hit with a laser while flying/piloting?

Anyway, I’m ranting…but at least I’m posting again!

Air New Zealand Flight Safety Briefing

Wings Over Wendy’s is a book about a group of veteran combat war pilots and aircrew men and women from WW2, Korea, and Vietnam who meet every Monday morning at a Southern California Wendy’s restaurant to honor their service and honor those that never returned from war – Wing’s Over Wendy’s is their story of life, love, sorrow, hope, and love of country. We all need hero’s – and – they are, all our hero’s. Their stories need to be told before their time runs out. These men and women sacrificed for our freedom and this book is for them, their children, and for all of us.

Wings Over Wendy’s, is a book project written by David Toma, who is seeking funding contributions by launching the effort on Kickstarter.com  – Kickstarter is a web site dedicated to helping creative individuals and it is a new way to fund creative projects.  If funding is successful then those patrons that pledge to support the project will receive rewards for their effort.  The funding is to help in hiring a researcher and copywriter to interview and compile the histories of these brave men and women.

Please visit the Wings over Wendy’s website -if you click on the updates tab it will lead you to an article from the Daily News here in Los Angeles.

Please take a look at our web site on Kickstarter and should you decide to become involved, please know that your pledge will be greatly appreciated .  Sponsors will be listed and each person will receive a credit in the book.  In addition, each sponsor will receive a copy of the book and various rewards are offered for specific levels of sponsorship. We would be most grateful if you would help to support our project and to spread the word about this worthy project to your family, friends and associates.

Thanks and God Bless, David
Wings Over Wendy’s
David Toma
Facebook Page for Wings Over Wendy’s