Now, if you’re one of those “planners” you’ve had your list, your shopping is done, and you’ve got a bunch of perfectly-wrapped gifts. If, on the other hand, you’re like me, you’ve got a general idea of the number of days until you can’t get anything from Amazon before Christmas.

Chances are you’re somewhere in between, but you have the added stress of desiring thoughtful gifts—the kinds of things someone might actually like. So, let me help you a bit. Well…as much as I can while not straying too far from the subject matter I’m familiar with.

Just to lay everything out there,  I’m using affiliate links where applicable. Clicking these links costs you nothing, but a portion of the proceeds generated by you buying things will make their way back to me. That said, here are ten thoughtful gifts for the aviation nut in your life.

1. A nice portable radio

Something like the Sporty’s SP-400 Handheld NAV/COM makes a great addition to any pilot’s flight bag. Back when I was doing my primary training, there was another pilot who learned first hand how to cope with a radio failure. That was the same day I understood why a portable radio might be a good thing to have. It also makes a great primary radio for aircraft, such as LSA or ultralights, not equipped with electrical systems. What I really like about this model from Sporty’s is that in addition to standard communications, it also handles navigation via VORs and ILS localizers.

2. An iPad Mini

This is one item that got a lot more affordable this year. I mean, yes Apple trotted out a new version, but it had a grand total of about 2 new features and the hardware was otherwise identical. So, consider it a cost savings and pick up an original iPad Mini, which can be had for about $250 now, or one of the second generation ones.

 3. An ADS-B Reciever

If an iPad is already a part of their life, buy a gift that will make it an integral part of their flying. Specific, pick up a Stratus 2 ADS-B receiver. Add a subscription to ForeFlight Mobile and you’ve got the makings of a pretty solid electronic flight bag.

4. A Nice Flight Bag

JeppShades: stylish and classy

I’m not ashamed to admit that one of my favorite gifts one year was a ASA’s Color E6B Flight Computer. I’ve also got JeppShades Training Glasses, a GATS Jar (since I have a habit of renting newer Cessnas with 13 fuel sumps), an analog Fuel Gauge, and so much more. Why am I telling you this? Well, because I’m assuming I’m not abnormal and every pilot has “stuff.” Sadly, there’s a better than average chance your aviation-loving friend is toting his gear in a recycled grocery sack or some type of general purpose bag. Don’t let them continue to suffer! Find a nice flight bag with enough space and pockets to hold and organize all their flying gear. Pro tip: Sporty’s has a really nice selection.

5. A Leather Jacket

The quintessential piece of flying gear. There’s nothing quite so rugged and durable, but also soft and inviting as a nice leather flight jacket. I’m partial to the A-2 Leather Flight Jacket, but there are so many options to choose from.

6. Sunglasses

There seem to be two schools of thought on sunglasses: buy the cheapest one on the rack or buy the perfect pair no matter the cost. There are lots of great sunglasses designed with pilots in mind, but I’m in love with a particular pair—the American Optical Original Pilot. I’ve got two pair with the 57 mm True Color Gray lenses and I’ve yet to find a better pair of sunglasses for the price.

7. Something for the Hangar or Office

If you’re not opposed or the person you are buying for doesn’t live with you, there are lots of very nice decor items that make thoughtful gifts. If I were buying something for the home, hangar, or office, I’d start with a First Solo Shirt Frame or Classic Dual-Sided Plaque from Sporty’s, but a Pilot on Duty Sign, Flight Instructor on Duty Sign, or Mechanic on Duty Sign would also make a great gift with a little vintage flair. A Vintage Wooden Propeller or an aircraft model like this Cessna C-172 Skyhawk are also great gifts for the PICs office.

8. A Great Aviation Book

There’s nothing quite like a good book. I’ve trimmed my collection down quite substantially in the last year, but I’ve still got probably 100 books on various aviation topics alone. Sure we live in the internet age, but a book is so much more fulfilling. As for gifts, I’d start with these three: Stick and Rudder: An Explanation of the Art of Flying, Weather Flying, or Flying the Mountains : A Training Manual for Flying Single-Engine Aircraft.

If those aren’t right, you might try something a little more recreational, like Forever Flying or Flight of Passage. Both books are fantastic additions to any library, but will be greatly appreciated by the average aviation enthusiast.

9. A Magazine Subscription

There are a lot of really great aviation magazines. My wife regularly complains about the quantity of aviation magazine subscriptions I have. Since they rarely arrive on the same day, I don’t see a problem and I really enjoy reading them each month. I’ll start with Sport Aviation and AOPA Pilot or Flight Training. These are great magazines, but the real gift is buying them an EAA or AOPA membership for a year. If you want my opinion on the matter, Kitplanes is the best aviation magazine around—I can only take so many articles about multimillion dollar jets…

10. Flight Time

Last, but certainly not least, is flight time. It makes a great gift and can fit almost any budget. Pro tip: If the reciever of your gift lives anywhere near any of the ever expanding list of cities served by Open Airplane, you’re in luck, because they offer gift certificates.

I’m going to stop here. I hope you got some ideas and I wish you luck in finding thoughtful gifts for all your friends and family this year. Feel free to leave any suggestions of items you think I missed in the comments.

The post Thoughtful Gifts for Your Pilot: A 2014 Gift Guide appeared first on Leaving Terra Firma.

So, now that I’ve got you good and worried, let me offer a helping hand to any of you searching for something to put a smile on a pilot’s face. I’ve put together a brief collection of last minute pilot gifts.

As a matter of disclosure, a majority of these links are affiliate links and, though it costs you nothing, a small portion of your sale will make its way back to me in the form of a commission. I would greatly appreciate it if you’d use these links as it helps me offset the costs of running this blog. Now, on to the list.

1.) Garmin D2 Pilot Watch

A $450 watch?! Yes, but this isn’t just any watch. You see, Garmin (the same people that make the G1000) have managed to cram an entire cockpit full of toys into this thing. The showstopper is the WAAS GPS, but there are probably about 100 other features. I could go on and on about this thing, but I will spare you. Bottom line: if your budget is big, just buy this.

2.) Sporty’s SP-400 Handheld NAV/COM or Icom IC-A24 NAV-COM Transceiver

Sometimes a great portable radio is all that is standing between you and getting home. Either of these handhelds make for a great gift for any pilot. Sure there are cheaper models, but these are Nav/Coms, which means they’ll do radio navigation for those times when you need a little help finding your way. I think the SP-400 edges out the competition thanks to the fact that it also handles ILS signals.

3.) Flight Training

This is one of those things that on the surface seems boring, but makes a really great gift. It’s not even as crazy expensive as you’d think. Well, unless you’re paying someone’s tuition for a jet type rating. I’m talking more along the lines of a great instructional book, like Flying IFR, or a course, like Sporty’s Instrument Rating Course.

4.) Cash/Gift Card

I don’t really think there’s much to say about this one. Pilots like to fly and that takes money. So, why not just give them some money or see if their rental place offers gift cards/certificates?

5.) Brightline B10 Classic FLEX System Bag

The sad fact is the easiest way to soil your cool pilot image is toting all your gear in a plastic grocery sack. Thankfully, companies like Brightline make bags that hold a ton of gear and still look cool. They also make great gifts. I like the Brightline B10 Classic FLEX System Bag, because it will hold lots of gear and can be configured to meet almost any need. Plus, it’s just big enough to hold a 13 inch Macbook.

6.) Sunglasses, such as the American Optical Flight Gear Original Pilot Sunglass

Every pilot needs a good pair of sunglasses. There are many great brands, but I’m partial to the American Optical Flight Gear line. I have the 57mm silver frames with true color grey glass lenses. I like them because they play nicely with headsets and they can take a beating. Not long after I got mine I walked into a flap and knocked them off my face. After I straightened them up a little, they weren’t really any worse for the wear.

7.)An aviation-themed Christmas ornament

This suggestion is born out of a tradition at my house. Every year Hallmark has a different collection of ornaments and every year my wife buys me “the airplane one.” It’s something I enjoy receiving and it provides a nice excuse for including airplanes on our tree. Sporty’s does an ornament every year, too and this year it’s an RV-12.

8.) Gats Jar

If you’re familiar with planes, you might know there are 13 fuel sumps on new Cessnas. Checking each can get old fast with regular testers and usually means plenty of wasted fuel. In any case, the Gats Jar will accommodate fuel samples from almost any plane and, thanks to the screen that holds back the water, the sampled fuel can be returned to the tanks. It’s not a glamorous gift, but a good one nonetheless.

9.) Smith & Wesson Galaxy 13 LED Flashlight

Another essential piece of pilot gear, and thus a good gift, is a great flashlight. The Smith & Wesson Galaxy 13 LED Flashlight is particularly brilliant, because it includes red and white LEDs. Its 10 bright white LEDs will shine plenty of light on the situation, while the red LEDs provide for use during night flights without destroying the all important “visual purple” (i.e., you’ll still be able to see in the dark).

10.) An airplane/helicopter

I don’t want to discourage you really big spenders (please definitely buy me a Cessna 170 or 140 if you want), but I’m talking about a model or RC aircraft. These can be purchased with almost any budget in almost any town. Whether a simple model, like this 1:48 scale Corsair, or something more expensive, like this RC Champ, it’s hard to go wrong with a “toy” on Christmas (even for adults).

The post Last Minute Pilot Gifts: 10 Ideas to Consider appeared first on Leaving Terra Firma.

It’s that time of the year again.

You know, the one where you glance at the calendar and realize you’ve got less than a month to get all your holiday shopping done and then have a heart attack, because you don’t know what to buy anyone.

This can be made all the more problematic when you’re not content to give just any old gift–you’ve got to give the perfect gift. So, as is Leaving Terra Firma tradition, I want to do my part to help shoppers find some great pilot gifts this holiday season.

Breaking from tradition a little, I thought I would kick off the season and break the fast with the first guest post ever published on Leaving Terra Firma. So, without further ado, let me turn things over to Chris.

Pilot Gifts: The 2013 Pilot Gift Guide

Gear and Gadgets:

• Bose A20 Headset – This one is a splurge. But let me tell you – besides a brand new plane this is at the top of any pilot’s list. The best headset I have ever owned. Of course, there are plenty of other great headset options out there that your more budget friendly, such as the Nav-Data Deluxe, which you can pick up for less than $100.
• Watch – A nice watch is obligatory for any pilot. It is fairly basic, but is necessary… and  looks good.
• iPad – Tablets are becoming virtual flight bags. There are apps for everything a pilot would need, from checking fuel prices to the weather to emergency procedures. Load it up with some of the top apps and save your pilot from lugging around a 40 pound bag full of manuals and charts.
• Flight bag – Staying organized is crucial and flight bags are put through a lot, making this a great present. Of course, if you opt for the gift above, you can forego the flight bag, or just opt for a smaller version.

Books:

• The Next Hour: The Most Important Hour in Your Logbook (Richard Collins) – A must read for any pilot. Personal insights from a lifetime of flying that will make their next flight a safer one.
• Fate is the Hunter (Ernest K. Gann) – A classic memoir recounting the treacherous early days of commercial aviation, bringing the reader right into the cockpit.
• Unforgettable: My Ten Best Flights (Lane Wallace) – Each flight is filled with insight, life lessons, and a sense of wonder – reminding pilots why they fly.
• Stick and Rudder: An Explanation of the Art of Flying (Wolfgang Langewiesche) – The first analysis of the art of flying ever attempted. Though written decades ago, pilots still have something to learn from this classic.
• Airframe (Michael Crichton) – This thriller about an aerospace manufacturer is sure to please. The reader will also learn a little bit about aircraft design, avionics, and physics.

Misc:

• Instrument Coasters – Yup coasters. May seem rather boring, but not so. Any pilot will get a kick out of these.
• Art – You can find inexpensive prints that will appeal to any aviation enthusiast.
• Model airplanes – May seem kind out there, but vintage models are the perfect addition to any aviators desk or bookcase.
• Weathervane – Pilots are more or less obsessed with weather, so a weathervane is a very suitable, albeit quirky, gift. Instead of the traditional rooster, you can find one that is topped with a plane.
• Leather jacket – When you picture a pilot, what do you see? He, or she, is almost always wearing a leather bomber jacket (along with their helmet and goggles).

The post Pilot Gifts: 2013 Edition appeared first on Leaving Terra Firma.

As a matter of disclosure, a majority of these links are affiliate links and, though it costs you nothing, a small portion of your sale will make its way back to me in the form of a commission. I would greatly appreciate it if you’d use these links as it helps me offset the costs of running this blog. Now, on to the list.

1.) Stratus: Portable In-Flight Weather for ForeFlight

It’s the most talked-about product of the year, and the easiest way to get in-flight weather on your iPad. Stratus is a totally wireless, portable receiver that streams NEXRAD radar, text weather, TFRs and GPS position to the ForeFlight app—all without a monthly subscription. Simply turn on Stratus, connect to your iPad and go flying. There are no wires, no subscriptions and no hassles.

2.) Sporty’s SP-400 Handheld NAV/COM or Icom IC-A24 NAV-COM Transceiver

Sometimes a great portable radio is all that is standing between you and getting home. Either of these handhelds make for a great gift for any pilot. Sure there are cheaper models, but these are Nav/Coms, which means they’ll do radio navigation for those times when you need a little help finding your way. I think the SP-400 edges out the competition thanks to the fact that it also handles ILS signals.

3.) Zaon PCAS MRX

I can’t really think of a better way to show your love, than getting someone something that could save their life. The Zaon PCAS MRX isn’t any different. It has all kinds of great features that all serve one purpose–to keep you from crashing into another plane.

4.) Flight Time

I don’t really think there’s much to say about this one. Pilots like to fly, so whether you’re putting gas in their plane or paying their rent for a couple of hours, why not just give them some money?

5.) Brightline B10 Classic FLEX System Bag

The sad fact is the easiest way to soil your cool pilot image is toting all your gear in a plastic grocery sack. Thankfully, companies like Brightline make bags that hold a ton of gear and still look cool. They also make great gifts. I like the Brightline B10 Classic FLEX System Bag, because it will hold lots of gear and can be configured to meet almost any need. Plus, it’s just big enough to hold a 13 inch Macbook.

6.) Sunglasses, such as the American Optical Flight Gear Original Pilot Sunglass

Every pilot needs a good pair of sunglasses. There are many great brands, but I’m partial to the American Optical Flight Gear line. I have the 57mm silver frames with true color grey glass lenses. I like them because they play nicely with headsets and they can take a beating. Not long after I got mine I walked into a flap and knocked them off my face. After I straightened them up a little, they weren’t really any worse for the wear.

7.) Smith & Wesson Galaxy 13 LED Flashlight

Another essential piece of pilot gear, and thus a good gift, is a great flashlight. The Smith & Wesson Galaxy 13 LED Flashlight is particularly brilliant, because it includes red and white LEDs. Its 10 bright white LEDs will shine plenty of light on the situation, while the red LEDs provide for use during night flights without destroying the all important “visual purple” (i.e., you’ll still be able to see in the dark).

8.) Gats Jar

If you’re familiar with aircraft, you might know there are 13 fuel sumps on new Cessnas. Checking each can get old fast with regular testers and usually means plenty of wasted fuel. In any case, the Gats Jar will accommodate fuel samples from almost any aircraft and, thanks to the screen that holds back the water, the sampled fuel can be returned to the tanks. It’s not a glamorous gift, but a good one nonetheless.

9.) Stick and Rudder

Stick and Rudder: An Explanation of the Art of Flying, as I’m sure you know, I consider to be required reading for every pilot. It also makes a great gift for any pilot who doesn’t have a copy.

10.) One Six Right, The Restorers, Gray Eagles, or Barnstorming on DVD

I count One Six Right as one of the best aviation documentaries to come out and the flying and aircraft scenes make it a must watch for aviation buffs of all leanings. The Restorers, meanwhile, is great for vintage aircraft and warbird afficionadoes alike. For P-51 fans, Gray Eagles is simply stunning and probably the greatest 30 minutes outside of actually flying a mustang. Barnstorming, on the other hand, takes a look at a slower, but equally exciting kind of flying and how aviation brings people together. Any of the four (or all of them for that matter) would make a great gift for any pilot.

The post 10 Last Minute Gift Ideas for Pilots appeared first on Leaving Terra Firma.

Gifts For in the Plane

A nice portable radio

Something like the Sporty’s SP-400 Handheld NAV/COM makes a great addition to any pilot’s flight bag. Back when I was doing my primary training, there was another pilot who learned first hand how to cope with a radio failure. That was the same day I understood why a portable radio might be a good thing to have. It also makes a great primary radio for aircraft, such as LSA or ultralights, not equipped with electrical systems. What I really like about this model from Sporty’s is that in addition to standard communications, it also handles navigation via VORs and ILS localizers.

A tablet device

Just like your car, technology has changed the way pilots navigate. For the last couple of years I recommended several handheld units like the Garmin AERA 560 GPS or the Bendix King AV8OR Handheld GPS, but this year is the year of the tablets. There are tons of tablets out there running Google’s Android platform and they are great, but I must confess to being hopelessly invested in Apple’s IOS. It’s a good thing I like the iPad. I don’t think you can go wrong with an iPad and I really like the new iPad Mini. Couple one of those with an external GPS unit, like the Dual Electronics iPad GPS with Bluetooth and you’ve got a pretty nice GPS.

iPad accessories

That brings us to the iPad accessories. Just like regular cases and such, there is no shortage of kneeboards, bags, and other accessories. For a good run down, check out The iPad pilot’s holiday wish list.

To get specific, a Stratus ADS-B receiver and ForeFlight Mobile – ForeFlight make the foundations of a pretty solid electronic flight bag.

Training or preflight gear

If you’ve got any aspiring pilots or pilots training for aditional ratings, like their instrument ticket, consider buying them some training gear. I’m not ashamed to admit that one of my favorite gifts last year was a ASA’s Color E6B Flight Computer. An aspiring instrument pilot, who doesn’t live in the most depressing place on earth (i.e., somewhere with 250 IMC days), might enjoy receiving their own JeppShades Training Glasses. Another item in my bag that I’m convinced makes a perfect gift for the pilots of newer Cessnas, is the GATS Jar. With 13 fuel sumps on the new Skyhawks, checking each sump can get old fast with regular testers. I picked one up during my training and changed my preflight life, because it holds enough to allow me to check all the sumps. While we’re talking fuel, perhaps an analog Fuel Gauge might make a good gift. These tubes are designed for specific aircraft and tell you exactly how much fuel is in the tanks rather than relying on the notoriously inaccurate gauges on the panel.

Gifts for the Hangar or Office

If you’re looking for something for the home, hangar, or office, a First Solo Shirt Frame or Classic Dual-Sided Plaque from Sporty’s are a great gifts for new pilots.

A Pilot on Duty Sign, Flight Instructor on Duty Sign, or Mechanic on Duty Sign would make great additions to the office or hangar and offer a vintage flair. A Vintage Wooden Propeller or an aircraft model like this Cessna C-172 Skyhawk are also great gifts for the PICs office.

Great Aviation Books

I’m also not ashamed to say that I have a pretty extensive personal library. A lot of times, I can’t think of a better gift than a good book or magazine.

My wife regularly complains about the quantity of aviation magazine subscriptions I have. Since they rarely arrive on the same day, I don’t see a problem. Depending on your particular pilot’s proclivities, a subscription to their favorite magazine might not make a bad gift. If you’re taking notes, I currently read Plane and Pilot, Sport Aviation (I’m an EAA member), AOPA Pilot (also an AOPA member), and Flying. Other than the increasingly prevalent turbine-based content in a few of them, I really enjoy reading these each month.

As for books, there are three instructional books that should be on every pilot’s bookshelf:

Stick and Rudder: An Explanation of the Art of Flying

This should be required reading for every pilot. Sure it shows a little age with some funny words (e.g., flippers), but it explains the complexities of flight in a way that makes them easier to understand.

Weather Flying

Where Stick and Rudder teaches you to fly, this book teaches you to fly in IMC. The insights it provides regarding weather and instruction on judging and flying safely in all kinds of weather make this a must read for all instrument-rated pilots or instrument students.

Flying the Mountains : A Training Manual for Flying Single-Engine Aircraft

I picked this book up not long after completing my training and it provides a great introduction to all aspects of mountain flying in an easy-to-read style. It doesn’t have to be this particular book, but even if you’re out in the flatlands, a good book on mountain flying is something I highly recommend. Just think, you might be saving a life with your gift.

If non-fiction isn’t your thing or the intended recipient already has these other books, you might like to pick up a nice fiction book or biography (aren’t those mostly fiction anyway?).

Forever Flying

If you want a flying book that is difficult to put down, look no further than this book. If you’ve ever wondered how a man who can pour tea backhanded while barrel-rolling and airplane full of VIPs learned to fly, this is the story. In case you’re wondering, that’s Bob Hoover, noted airshow performer and test pilot. The book, authored by Mr. Hoover himself, covers his life from his very earliest aviation experiences to his notable performances, like this one:

The Saga of the Ellen Jane: Inventing a Legend (Volume 1)

This is a book that sort of found me when someone from the publisher, Stearman Press, contacted me. I found it to be a really good story that more or less centers around a group of people arming a Beech 18 with some homemade solutions in order to fight Nazis in 1939 Brazil. I think it would make a great gift.

Movies

One Six Right

This is one of the best aviation documentaries to come out in a long time. It focuses on the history of Van Nuys Airport in LA, but the flying and aircraft scenes make it a must watch for aviation buffs of all geographical leanings.

The Restorers

This is a great movie for vintage aircraft afficionadoes and warbird buffs. It looks at the work and love put into aircraft from bygone eras. It would make a great gift for anyone that appreciates the sleek polished aluminum look of a restored warbird tearing down the runway. It also bears mention that this features some great sequences of Bob Odegaard and his rare Super Corsair, which were both lost earlier this year in a tragic accident.

Gray Eagles

I count my numerous viewings of this 30 minute documentary as some of the best time I’ve ever spent. This is a great story centered around a great plane. The air-to-air footage is simply stunning.

Barnstorming

This is a documentary about a small fly-in at a farm in Indiana. It is a great little film about pilots and non-pilots coming together and harvesting a little of what flying should be. Still one of the best aviation films I’ve seen.

Red Tails isn’t technically perfect, but it is a good movie if you can suspend your analytic mind. It would make a great gift for any WWII buffs and really anyone who appreciates a good flying movie. Furthermore, It stars some pretty nice warbirds, so I can’t complain and I don’t imagine many others will.

Flyboys, which is a WWI movie fits in the same mold as Red Tails–it may not be aerodynamically perfect, but just go with it. It has some good flying scenes and it, too, would make a good gift for those who enjoy a good aviation movie. Maybe you’ll inspire the gift-receiver to start building one of Airdrome Aeroplanes super affordable kits.

For the Simulator Pilot

A good simulator

In the past, Microsoft’s Flight Simulator was the big daddy of flight sims, but for whatever reason they terminated any real flight simulator development after the release of Microsoft Flight Simulator X. It’s still a pretty good sim, thanks to the significant number of third-party developers, but I think the following video will convince you that XPlane 10 might be a better deal these days. Although, I’m hard pressed to find a better sim than FSX with A2A Simulation’s Wings of Silver Piper J-3 Cub. I mean you can even skim across the water on bush wheels, who wouldn’t like that?

Flight sim equipment

A good yoke, throttle and rudder system can make all the difference in creating a realistic the home flight simulator experience. There are several good models available, but you can’t go wrong with Saitek’s modular kit. The entire kit, which also includes some Cessna stuff, will run about $600. The good news is that each piece only costs about $100 and you don’t need the entire set to get a lot of use out of it. I’d start with the Saitek Pro Flight Yoke with Three-Lever Throttle. The throttle and yoke setup closely mimic most single engine aircraft, like the Cessna 172, there are enough switches and buttons to control the essential functions. The next step is the Saitek Pro Flight Cessna Rudder Pedals, which are basically like the ones in any Cessna. Then finally there are several expansion boxes that provide more advanced functions: the PRO Flight Radio Panel by Saitek, Pro Flight Multi Panel, and Saitek PZ55 Pro Flight Switch Panel.

I’d say that’s a pretty substantial list, so I won’t belabor the point since most of the time I think these things take the form of a 10 point list. In any case, have a Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy the holiday shopping season. I hope this list is helpful, but if you feel like I’ve left something out, drop your suggestions in the comments.

The post Gifts for Pilots: The Aviation Gift Guide 2012 Edition appeared first on Leaving Terra Firma.

When I initially weighed in, I hadn’t actually read the post, but I have now and I encourage you to do the same.

What actually prompted me to weigh in were questions regarding the phrase “roger.” In the list of sins it is number two, but that’s really only half of the story. When I weighed in I wasn’t wrong, but I wasn’t really on the same page as the list. That’s because “roger” is misused a lot.

“Roger is not a read back.”

This is exactly what the original post addressed regarding “roger.” If you listen to radio communications near airports for very long, I’m sure you’ll hear it misused this way at least once.

“Cessna 234SF, Knoxville Tower, cross runway 5 left.”

“Roger.”

According to AIM 4-3-18, you must actually read back any clearances relating to runways. This rules out any shortcuts, like “wilco” or simply reading back your call sign, but that’s the intent. Why? It is important that the controller knows you know what you are cleared to do. So, what should happen in the above situation is this:

“Cessna 234SF, Knoxville Tower, cross runway 5 left.”

“Knoxville Tower, Cessna 234SF, cross runway 5 left.”

There are times for brevity, but this isn’t one of them. When you are cleared or not cleared to do anything regarding a runway, just read it back.

Roger vs. Wilco–what’s the difference?

That brings me to the point I made; most pilots misuse roger, anyway. In fact I would wager it is the most misused piece of radio terminology. According to the Pilot/Controller Glossary available in the AIM, possibly the most informative and least read aviation publication, “roger” is a means of acknowledging you received all of the preceding transmission. Nothing more. It is not much of a tool, in fact, it’s mostly filler.

“Wilco,” on the other hand, is a semi-useful phrase that competes with “affirmative” and “negative” as what is actually meant when most people say, “roger.” It means, “I will comply.” It is useful for brevity when you don’t actually have to read anything back. I used it a lot when I worked at an airport and we’d be driving around in movement areas. As for flying, I’ve only used it a few times.

There is a taxiway down the middle of my home airport that was closed for resurfacing toward the end of my training. If you didn’t hit the numbers and make the first turn, which is at about 500 feet, you had to taxi to the middle of the 9000 feet of runway to turn. Since it is a busy airport with plenty of scheduled jet traffic in a Class C, tower would routinely ask for prop swingers to keep the speed up on the roll out to reduce the amount of time they were on the runway. The exchange always went something like:

“Cessna 21693, keep the speed up on roll out.”

“Wilco, 693.”

I can’t really think of any other times I’ve used “wilco” and even then all I really had to say was, “693.” The rest of the time a readback was required or “affirmative”/”negative” were the appropriate response.

Going forward, any time you’re tempted to say, “roger,” consider whether you actually need to read the instruction back or some other response is correct. A couple of rules of thumb to remember: if you “will comply,” say wilco; if the answer is yes or no, go with affirmative or negative.

What’s your radio sin? Weigh in in the comments.

Mine’s “with you;” it just slips out.

The post Roger, Roger. What’s our vector, Victor? | Technique Tuesday appeared first on Leaving Terra Firma.

The flight home

Last week, on the second of May, testing was completed and the aircraft was accepted by the Air Force during a ceremony at Dobbins Air Reserve Base. After the ceremony, it flew across the country to its new home, Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska, where it touched down on the 5th. It is the 195th aircraft produced, and one of 185 operational F-22s in the Air Force’s arsenal.

I found some raw footage of the arrival on Youtube and was surprised to see a familiar face at the end. It turns out that Air Force Lt. Col. Paul Moga, who is 525th Fighter Squadron commander, made the non-stop flight and will operate the jet as the squadron’s flagship. If, like me, you’ve seen the shows Showdown:Air Combat or Great Planes, you may recognize Moga as the host.

The non-stop flight from Georgia to Alaska took 8 hours and featured two aerial refuels courtesy of KC-135s from MacDill and McConnell. It was a flight of two, tail numbers 4195 and 4193, which according to Moga was “Flawless…literally no problems.” Moga’s statement was given in response to questions about the flight, which may have been nothing more than routine, but were more likely born out of recent reports regarding the F-22.

Troubles with the F-22

The F-22 has its share of problems, a high accident rate and several groundings have left a black mark on an otherwise spectacular plane. Latest reports have been that some pilots are refusing to fly F-22s until the mysterious issues with the oxygen generation system are fixed. I hope the Air Force gets their money’s worth out of the contract with Lockheed and the problem is solved. The F-22 is too expensive and too awesome an aircraft to go down in history as a failure.

While it seems certain that the oxygen system in the F-22 is severely crippled, no one seems to know what exactly the problem is. In fact, the Air Force apparently isn’t confident whether the issue is lack of oxygen or contaminated oxygen. At least one of the stop gaps was a resounding failure, causing the pilots more trouble than the hypoxia they might get normally. For now the Air Force seems to be sticking with increased physiological monitoring and supplemental oxygen systems.

Why an F-22 is worth almost half a billion dollars

According to GAO estimates, each F-22 costs taxpayers $412 million. If the Air Force can divine the cause of the oxygen system troubles and fix them, I contend that an F-22 is well worth the price. Its fifth generation status, including low-maintenance stealth coatings and insane radar capabilities, make it a huge boon for air superiority. It can track multiple targets and destroy them well before they can even see the F-22.

Additionally, the F-22 is capable of super cruising at nearly mach 2, mach 1.82 to be exact, and at full tilt, with both afterburners burning it can exceed mach 2.2. This alone makes the F-22 pretty spectacular, but the real benefit is the vectored thrust, which allows the F-22 to perform some pretty unique stunts. In all, the F-22 has great speed, range, and maneuverability that put it on top of the pile when it comes to fighter jets.

While 412 million seems like a big number, the truth is increased production numbers could drive this number way down. As it is, export of F-22s is banned and, with only 195 production aircraft, the Air Force isn’t spreading the development costs out very much and they’re, or rather we’re, footing the entire bill. The actual price tag for an F-22 is closer to 150 million with the huge cost of development making up the other almost 300 million. That said, it is unlikely that the Air Force will restart production given the introduction of the F-35 and a no significant F-22 deployments in its 7 year operational history.

A small gallery of F-22 photos for your viewing pleasure

The post Final production F-22 delivered to its home in Alaska appeared first on Leaving Terra Firma.

Do you like airplanes?

What about helicopters?

If you like both, and I’m sure you know where this is going, for the low, low price of only about 5 to 30 million dollars you can buy an AW609. Well, more realistically, you can buy a spot on the waiting list with 70-some people like the billionaire mayor of NYC, Michael Bloomberg.

The AW609, which was previously known as the BA609, is AugustaWestland’s tilt-rotor executive transport. The development program hit some speed bumps, which culminated in AugustaWestland buying Bell Helicopter out of the joint venture last November. At that point they renamed the aircraft AW609 and moved on full speed ahead. They now project an early 2016-ish date for certification.

The AW609 is, like the V-22 Osprey I suspect, massively complex and development has stretched on for more than a decade. Considering the costs of owning ordinary private jets and helicopters, I’m sure it will be costly to own and maintain. Why would someone like Bloomberg want such a thing?

Well, honestly, because it is awesome and because he can.

If I had a billion dollars, you can bet I’d be doing the same thing.

Something I really like about mayor Bloomberg, which I suspect says something about why he would want an AW609, is that he is a rotor-head and is fanatical about the convenience of helicopter flying. According to a recent New York Times piece, He already owns and pilots an Augusta A109 and several other aircraft. Why not add one more.

Why would anybody want a machine that couples the complexity of a helicopter with about half the speed of a new Citation Jet?

Flexibility. In the NYT piece referenced above, there is a story about Mayor Bloomberg defeating delays at LaGuardia by flying his helicopter to Albany. Once he got to Albany, he could put down in virtually any flat field or on a helipad.

The problem is the limitations of helicopters. An A109 like the Mr. Bloomberg flies has a maximum range of just over 500 NM and a top speed of about 150 knots. Anything more and you’ll need to land and refuel or switch to the jet.

Why not just stick with a jet? Sometimes a jet is overkill and they usually require a mile of runway or more. That restricts your available landing areas a bit.

What if you combined the two? Well, you’ll get the AW609. It’s not a huge improvement over the helicopter range-wise, as it only adds about 250 NM to the range, but you can cover ground almost twice as fast as an A109. Once you get where you’re going, you can land on shorter runways, with the aircraft configured for a short landing, or vertically anywhere you’d land a helicopter. Well, anywhere you’d land a 16,000 pound helicopter.

So, what can Michael Bloomberg teach us about buying aircraft?

Helicopters are cool, buy the craziest one you can afford. In all seriousness, cost doesn’t matter as long as you can afford it and it serves the mission you need it to serve. For Bloomberg, he is a billionaire who needs to get to and from places in and around the city. He can certainly afford it and this will only cut time off his commute.

Regarding the AW609 specifically, it looks good. Based on demo flights, it seems to perform pretty well without making a ton of noise. Compare that to some helicopters, a blackhawk comes to mind, and AugustaWestland already has a winner.

For dessert, here is a nicely cinematic look at the AW609. It looks like it is from one of the airshow demo flights, but for all I know, all those people watching are employees.

The post What Michael Bloomberg can teach us about buying aircraft appeared first on Leaving Terra Firma.

While I’m at it, here’s a little night airshow action. It’s from two years ago, but it’s better than nothing. I’m just trying to create an approximation of a day at the show for those of you, who like me, couldn’t attend the actual show. Anyway, I’ll leave you with the following video. Have a great weekend.

The post Sun ‘n Fun 2012: a quick look at warbirds and vintage | Flying Friday appeared first on Leaving Terra Firma.

Image courtesy Alaska Airlines

Yesterday I was confronted with a lot of chatter regarding the FAA and approved personal electronics. Most of the articles cite a post on NYT’s blog Disruptions. The post itself seems to be largely speculative, but has set off a storm of chatter amongst the general media. Most of this chatter centers on the general public and their use of personal electronics, like iPads and Kindles, during critical phases of flight (e.g., take off, landing). The problem is, no one has told the general public that their use of personal electronics is inconsequential. Yes, that’s right; the FAA doesn’t care if Alec Baldwin wants to play Words with Friends on the runway. Here’s why:

The same policies that dictate that Alec Baldwin stow his iPad mean the pilots must stow theirs, too.

Yep, without extensive testing, the guys in the front have to stow theirs, too. Unfortunately, they aren’t playing words with friends, rather, they’re trying to view documents they need to fly the plane. While they certainly are convenient, most iPads would be considered a Class 1 EFB, which doesn’t exempt them from typical regulations on personal electronics.

Unlike Part 91 operations, airlines must perform some extensive tests to certify personal electronics for cockpit use during critical phases.

If I bought an iPad and loaded up Foreflight, the FAA has provided a means by which as pilot in command I can determine whether it meets regulations for use during flight. This is relatively simple, unfortunately, airline pilots aren’t so lucky. They must wade through a host of regulations and their iPads must be extensively tested before they could do the same thing. The bottom line is that off the shelf electronics, like iPads, just haven’t been that economical when it comes to testing them for use. With the current trends toward paperless cockpits, it is likely that the pilots, airlines, and/or their unions have been pressuring the FAA to reevaluate their stance on this issue in order to ease the process of approving the use of personal electronics during critical phases. After all, it was only last December when the FAA gave American Airlines’ pilots the green light to use iPads during all phases of flight after more than 6 months of testing.

In the event of an overrun, your iPad becomes a really nasty projectile.

Perhaps the biggest reason the FAA isn’t trying to approve Alex Baldwin to use his iPad on the runway is that if something happened, his iPad could maim someone. Interference, which is often cited as the issue dictating the FAA’s stance, isn’t as much of a problem as some would lead you to believe, but limiting the number of projectiles in the cabin is an issue. If you don’t think flying iPads are dangerous, throw one across the room at your wife or kids or someone and then ask them if it hurt. I’m willing to bet they won’t be too happy and they’ll probably bleed. The same FAA regulations that dictate how to certify personal electronics for use during critical phases also state that the operator is permitted to prohibit anyone from using personal electronics. That means even if the FAA allows it, the airline can still prohibit you from using it.

So, suck it up and stow your iPad. You can live without it for the 10 minutes you’ll spend taking off and landing.

What’s your opinion, is the FAA really concerned with passengers use of personal electronics? Am I mistaken in my understanding of the regulations? Leave a comment with your take.

The post Airline passengers: the FAA doesn’t care about letting you use your iPad on the runway appeared first on Leaving Terra Firma.