tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940969862421487488Mon, 28 Mar 2022 18:28:38 +0000aircraft maintenanceCirrusEASAOshkoshaircraft maintenance enginesvolcanic ashAOPA AVwebATCATC police BensonC182 touring weightCessna China flying aircraft SkycatcherCessna Skylane Kansas aircraftChannel IslandsChicago MeigsCirrus Piper homebuilt aircraftCobalt aircraftContinental enginesCorsicaDuxfordEFBFOIFarnboroughFear of flying ThermalsFloridaFrance Flying maps chartsFriedrichshafen flyingGPS aircraft maintenanceGPS airspace safety flyingGarminGarmin Kelly repairs maintenanceGlidingGloster Meteor Wing FarmGrumman AA-5Harrier jump-jet Farley bookHeathrowJeppesenJetKestrel MaineKestrel aircraftKlapmeierKorea aircraftLAA aircraftLFATLashamLundyMeigs ChicagoMeteorology inversionMilson AirstripMont BlancMowing grassNATSNATS volcano ashOshkosh pilotingOxfordPartsPerranporthRedhill airfieldRobinRouen Monet NormandyRyanair Dublin pilot-trainingSF50Scilly IslesShoreham airfieldsSmartDeckSouthendSt Mary'sStaplefordUSA business travelVan's Cessna GarminWoutersair racingaircraftaircraft engine recreation holidaysaircraft enginesaircraft engines fuel designaircraft flyingaircraft industryaircraft landing video flying grass runwayaircraft sales 2009airfield "light aircraft" flying weatherairfield aircraft flying pilot humourairfieldsannualavgas fuel aircraftaviation business travelbizjet recessioncareers pilots airlinescerebral palsycessna skycatchercircuitcrop circlediesel engines aircraftelectric aircraftengines aircraftengines aircraft dieselfirst soloflight-planningflight-training pilot careersflightplanfloatplanefloatplane seaplaneflyingfuel aircraft engines costsgliders airspaceheadsetjoysticksl'Escalemaintenancenight flyingphotography air-to-airphotography air-to-air photoshootpilot young female flight-training Dorsetrecession aircraft business manufacturing employmentrumoursseaplanesnow airfieldtravel USAvideo Lydeway stripwaterless cleaning kit washing car aircraftweatherwing-walking Breitling RendcombNews, opinions, rumours and experiences from the world of General Aviationhttp://blogs.flyer.co.uk/noreply@blogger.com (Ian Seager)Blogger372125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940969862421487488.post-3577381010939845046Thu, 03 Nov 2011 20:24:00 +00002011-11-06T18:21:12.433+00:00 A couple of years ago we went on an organised flying tour of Tunisia. We had a great time and met some great people. Madeleine and Fernand (centre and right above) were there with their Cessna 210. They were in their early 70s but lived life as if they were in their 30s. Madeleine only stopped talking to laugh. Later we spent a weekend at their house in Rouen, we enjoyed good food, http://blogs.flyer.co.uk/2011/11/bollocks.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ian Seager)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940969862421487488.post-7251148246367935223Mon, 19 Sep 2011 02:20:00 +00002011-09-26T19:47:02.309+01:00I'm sitting in the loung of a large, New York area, FBO (Fixed Base Operator). I've been here for an hour or so, quietly looking at the people passing through while I wait for my lift to arrive. Just outside the door there's a gaggle of limo drivers - smoking, laughing and no doubt putting the world to rights. Then there are the white coats - a medical team presumably waiting for something or http://blogs.flyer.co.uk/2011/09/people-watching.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ian Seager)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940969862421487488.post-7366478396531899038Wed, 10 Aug 2011 22:38:00 +00002011-09-26T19:48:41.755+01:00EAA Airventure 2011 has been and gone and we've had the wrap up email from the press office. Here it is, with a few observations… Comment from EAA president/CEO Rod Hightower: "This year's event was a tremendous success. From the arrival of the Boeing 787 to our tributes to Bob Hoover and Burt Rutan, all the way through the huge crowd on the flight line for Saturday's night air show, the spirit http://blogs.flyer.co.uk/2011/08/oshkosh.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ian Seager)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940969862421487488.post-4537972250945760194Tue, 19 Jul 2011 07:12:00 +00002011-07-19T08:27:54.233+01:00Since getting back from Svalbard it's been hectic, particularly since Oshkosh beckons on Saturday. A few quick thoughts on some random aviation topics…RAF Lyneham - According to the NOTAM the airspace will be suspended from today, and cancelled on September 30th. Liam Fox has announced that instead of being sold off, the site will re-open in 2013 as the home of the Defence technical training http://blogs.flyer.co.uk/2011/07/few-quick-random-thoughts.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ian Seager)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940969862421487488.post-7480553994413211509Fri, 08 Jul 2011 06:09:00 +00002011-07-08T07:11:48.875+01:00Sorry, have not managed any updates while on this trip - there has been lots and lots of flying, and not very much time. More when I get back, but in the meantime there are a few pictures on the FLYER Facebook page herehttp://blogs.flyer.co.uk/2011/07/still-away.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ian Seager)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940969862421487488.post-6304616391327769496Mon, 27 Jun 2011 22:07:00 +00002011-06-27T23:26:37.255+01:00The current plan is to head to Paris on Thursday and then Stavanger Friday, Tromso Saturday then Svalbard Sunday. With 48 and a bit hours to go there are only 2,042 things left to do, but today I managed to tick off a few more, thanks in no small part to some very good friends.I've got a pack of maps (which I need to look at in order to draw a few lines), I've got dayglo stripes on my wings, http://blogs.flyer.co.uk/2011/06/few-days-to-go-before-svalbard.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ian Seager)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940969862421487488.post-4956033007392557113Thu, 23 Jun 2011 07:47:00 +00002011-06-23T09:00:07.230+01:00Towards the end of next week I'm off to Spitsbergen in the C182 with a group of French pilots. After reaching Tromso in northern Norway we'll have another 550 ish nm to do, most of it over the Barents Sea. I'll be wearing a survival suit and carrying a dinghy, but plan A doesn't involve using either. Tomorrow the aeroplane will get an oil change and a good look under the cowl. I'll also apply thehttp://blogs.flyer.co.uk/2011/06/better-get-prep-work-started.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ian Seager)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940969862421487488.post-6215250728861791124Wed, 15 Jun 2011 21:41:00 +00002011-06-15T22:42:50.583+01:00You must have a browser that supports iframes to view the BBC weather forecastYou have to feel sorry for the organisers - the weather may yet change, but it doesn't look like we're set for a sunny Sywell. Right, where are my thermals?http://blogs.flyer.co.uk/2011/06/aero-expo.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ian Seager)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940969862421487488.post-7774889475658001370Wed, 15 Jun 2011 07:51:00 +00002011-06-17T08:40:09.962+01:00Channel IslandsSoon you'll need PPR to visit Alderney, Guernsey or Jersey with a GA aircraft. A website has been created here to make it easier, but come on, is this sort of rubbish really necessary? Why is it people with runways, and let's not forget that the CI has a tonne of Class A and full ATC too, seem to have a problem with aeroplanes? Grrrrr Here's part of a document that's been circulated PPR is tohttp://blogs.flyer.co.uk/2011/06/what-are-they-thinking.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ian Seager)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940969862421487488.post-8702259635711084386Thu, 09 Jun 2011 19:56:00 +00002011-06-17T08:41:52.041+01:00 Earlier today I was flying along, minding my own business and dodging the showers. I was outside controlled airspace but listening to a local unit just to see what was going on. A couple of Exam call signs were on frequency, both pilots on IR tests, both pilots undoubtedly towards the end of an expensive, intensive course. The first pilot seemed on top of things and was soon http://blogs.flyer.co.uk/2011/06/youve-got-to-feel-sorry-for-him.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ian Seager)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940969862421487488.post-4592100150100019548Wed, 08 Jun 2011 10:52:00 +00002011-06-09T08:34:04.579+01:00The good news is that the weather looks good. The bad news is that just as soon as it looks good it starts to look wet too. Best take a brolly…TAF EGLL 080459Z 0806/0912 23009KT 9999 FEW030 PROB40 TEMPO 0809/0818 24015G25KT 7000 SHRA PROB30 TEMPO 0909/0912 8000 SHRA=Edit. While there were a couple of showers around the weather turned out fine, if a little blustery!http://blogs.flyer.co.uk/2011/06/time-for-photo-shoot.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ian Seager)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940969862421487488.post-6649732362098425190Mon, 06 Jun 2011 07:27:00 +00002011-06-06T20:25:41.497+01:00Jack Pelton came into work at Cessna a couple of weeks ago and retired. Colleagues in the USA tell me that Jack's retirement came in the form of being fired with immediate effect. Some poor Q1 numbers and a reluctance to make deeper cuts apparently sealed his fate. That's all rumour and hearsay of course.Today Scott Ernest, Jack's replacement, starts his second week at Cessna. If the rumours are http://blogs.flyer.co.uk/2011/06/cessnas-new-ceo.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ian Seager)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940969862421487488.post-2714944256354375909Sun, 05 Jun 2011 08:11:00 +00002011-06-08T11:51:38.783+01:00I had the opportunity to fly a new Tecnam P2006T from the factory in Naples, Italy, to Wycombe in the UK last week. We left the factory at about 16.30 on Tuesday, overnighted in Cannes and landed back at Wycombe at about 19.00 on Wednesday. The flight will be the subject of a 'Flying Adventure' in the magazine, but for now I thought I'd mention a few observations.VFR in ItalyLike the UK, Italy http://blogs.flyer.co.uk/2011/06/long-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ian Seager)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940969862421487488.post-5755695370816894890Thu, 26 May 2011 23:19:00 +00002011-05-31T11:43:52.551+01:00ATC police BensonEarlier this week I found myself flying the C182 between appointments. I was to the south-east of Benson's MATZ and heading vaguely west. I had Benson's frequency dialed in, but wasn't talking to them. The police helicopter who was working Benson was given some traffic information. A little while later the police helicopter told the controller that he'd try to get a registration, and a while http://blogs.flyer.co.uk/2011/05/what-would-you-do.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ian Seager)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940969862421487488.post-4867907988346341194Tue, 24 May 2011 09:00:00 +00002011-05-24T10:00:56.665+01:00 Sorry for the long gap… I just wanted to pass on what was (for me) an amusing experience. I recently found myself sitting in a car park close to Turin airport. My colleague pointed out two pilots and two cabin crew from Alitalia walking to their cars. The pilots (both male) had stylish hair, sharp uniforms and mirrored aviator sunglasses. They rolled their flight backs with style. http://blogs.flyer.co.uk/2011/05/love-is-in-air.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ian Seager)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940969862421487488.post-3567990975768463590Fri, 20 May 2011 17:45:00 +00002011-05-31T11:45:22.963+01:00 Someone asked me recently why pilots were flying less, and why fewer people were learning to fly. The answer (obviously) has something to do with money, or more accurately, value for money. On that subject a couple of things struck me recently…I was thinking about an autopilot for the C182. It has the Cessna Navomatic 200 wing-leveller fitted, but that only works if you want tohttp://blogs.flyer.co.uk/2011/05/money.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ian Seager)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940969862421487488.post-4806067794040848312Wed, 18 May 2011 06:35:00 +00002011-05-24T09:57:46.540+01:00Over the years, I've spent some time talking to people working for AOPA US. I've been to their annual events, and I read AOPA Pilot, their magazine. They're a good bunch doing a good job in tough times. A few years ago the organisation had a change of President when Phil Boyer retired and Craig Fuller took over. Craig's timing was less than ideal - the economy took a dive and that, combined http://blogs.flyer.co.uk/2011/05/aopa-us-under-attack.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ian Seager)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940969862421487488.post-4903949004224197049Thu, 07 Apr 2011 23:01:00 +00002011-04-12T19:12:16.693+01:00GPS airspace safety flyingI went flying with the Aware 5 today. For anyone who hasn't seen an Aware before (is there anyone?), it's a very simple GPS with a digital CAA chart which has an underlying airspace database that's used to provide controlled airspace warnings. The '5' is a bigger unit than the original, but works in exactly the same way. In most light conditions, the screen is easy to use, although there are http://blogs.flyer.co.uk/2011/04/aware-5.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ian Seager)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940969862421487488.post-5206986842722864666Tue, 29 Mar 2011 22:59:00 +00002011-03-30T23:54:05.808+01:00Sun 'n Fun is running, but rather than sunning myself in Florida I've been at my desk in Bath (lots to do and we have a flight training show in Amsterdam this weekend). It seems that there's a fair bit of news doing the rounds…here are a couple of the more interesting stories1. Cessna announces the Corvalis TTxNot sure what to make of this. The Corvalis hasn't really sold in big numbers when http://blogs.flyer.co.uk/2011/03/thoughts-on-recent-some-recent-news.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ian Seager)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940969862421487488.post-4931668976473126142Mon, 21 Mar 2011 08:16:00 +00002011-03-21T19:49:20.044+00:00aircraft industryFeeling bad about not posting a great deal recently. Here are some quick thoughts on recent aviation news items… Cirrus gets sold to the Chinese. The deal has yet to be completed and I have a feeling the road between here and there is full of turns, hills and potholes. Ultimately I still think that it'll get done. Cessna ship fewer SEPs than Cirrus in 2010. It's a tough market out there and I'm http://blogs.flyer.co.uk/2011/03/news.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ian Seager)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940969862421487488.post-8560991087436238554Sat, 19 Feb 2011 00:12:00 +00002011-02-24T22:45:03.394+00:00travel USAAnother airport another day (or night)... I've been doing a lot of waiting for flights recently (sadly, running a UK GA magazine isn't profitable enough to rent some funky, fast, de-iced aeroplane for weeks at a time in the USA) and have been spending some of my time people-watching. I've developed this theory - modern business travelers are really just modern day cowboys. Rather than being http://blogs.flyer.co.uk/2011/02/road-warrior.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ian Seager)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940969862421487488.post-1986643009376827814Fri, 11 Feb 2011 20:15:00 +00002011-02-24T22:44:05.605+00:00 I haven't flown the C182 for a while, since November to be precise. Earlier this week the weather was forecast to be exceptional and we needed to take a few pictures - an ideal opportunity to brush off the cobwebs and give the 182 its first flight of 2011. I packed the flying kit and took along a battery booster just in case... I drove to Henstridge where it has been http://blogs.flyer.co.uk/2011/02/grrrr.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ian Seager)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940969862421487488.post-1015205957249607936Mon, 31 Jan 2011 21:58:00 +00002011-02-04T14:46:50.208+00:00rumoursRumours are an everyday part of GA. In tough times there's always someone about to go bust (manufacturer, flying school, magazine...), and in the good times there's always someone about to launch a new world-beating aircraft, training school or even magazine. Right now there's a 'GA manufacturer about to be bought' rumour doing the rounds. This particular manufacturer is, apparently, about to behttp://blogs.flyer.co.uk/2011/01/rumours.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ian Seager)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940969862421487488.post-6836088557431454876Fri, 28 Jan 2011 22:36:00 +00002011-01-28T22:51:05.973+00:00We're away this weekend. Getting to this particular event involves flying, and with a strong desire to be there I bought a couple of airline tickets a few weeks ago. The weather is too unpredictable and the freezing level too low to be able to guarantee attendance by C182. Inevitably the weather looks OK for flying, and inevitably we're figuring out exactly what we can and can't take while makinghttp://blogs.flyer.co.uk/2011/01/airline-joy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ian Seager)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940969862421487488.post-4563898213473521794Thu, 27 Jan 2011 08:46:00 +00002011-01-27T21:32:49.076+00:00A couple of things have happened in the aviation manufacturing world over the last few days. Starting yesterday, Textron, Cessna'a parent announced its 2010 financial results. 2010's Q4 was better for Cessna than 2009's Q4 (largely thanks to a US bonus depreciation tax break). Despite that, the end result for 2010 was still a loss of $29m for Cessna. The company is reasonably positive about the http://blogs.flyer.co.uk/2011/01/nearly-1m-for-sep.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ian Seager)0