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Archive for the ‘Flying News’ Category

As reported on AVweb this morning, a Citation X with some fuel and time to burn is starting up a whole new art form. Apparently, on March 7, 2008, N750CX, owned by Cessna Aircraft went on a high profile mission to create the company logo digitally on FlightAware.com. FlightAware is an online aircraft flight following service. Besides providing departure and arrival information, it also shows the live actual aircraft flight path. Here is the saved flight path of the Citation X:

Here is the page on Flightaware

Fly Safe (and creatively)

I don’t know about you, but I have ALWAYS wanted to fly a DC3. When I meet anyone who has a DC3 type rating, instantly they are an aviation god to me. That is probably the one airplane I haven’t had the chance to fly that I really want to. Maybe because of what it represents to aviation and what a crucial part it played in American history during and after the war.

That is why I was so excited to read my AVwebBiz email this week when they announced that one lucky pilot will get the chance to do just that this year at Sun n’ Fun in Lakeland, Florida on April 8. This opportunity is being graciously provided by Herpa Wings, AVweb and Dan Gryder, the owner of the beautiful bird, N143D.

To enter this sweepstakes, all you have to do is email Avweb an email / short essay (200 or less words) with the subject “Why I Want To Fly The Herpa Wings DC-3.” The email address to send your essay to is fly-the-dc3@avweb.com. All entries have to be in by April 1, 2008.

There are a couple of requirements on this. One is you have to have a pilot’s license and medical. Second, you also have to be present to fly the thing (duh!) at 7:00 AM at Lakeland Florida Airport on April 8, 2008 (during Sun n’ Fun).

Good luck! And just to get you excited I’ve included the video AVweb developed for the promotion of their staff flying the DC3. Maybe it will be good motivation for your writing:

I just read on AOPA.org tonight that the FAA on Feb 28 released a rule requiring pilots to use the newer plastic certificates (versus the old paper ones).  So if you haven’t requested one, well, now would be a good time to do so.   Although, you might want to wait a couple weeks as the FAA is working hard to complete the orders for the “English Proficiency” endorsements that I discussed earlier this week.  Replacement certificates usually cost $2 but if you are removing your social security number from your license the cost is free.

Here are some links to learn more about this new rule:

• The Federal Register discussing the new requirement
• AOPA.org original article
• Request your new plastic certificate

The FAA has a system designed to help operators, like airlines, stay ahead and updated on current policies and regulations so that they can stay in compliance.   There are actually a couple of programs.  The first is Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) and the second is a Information for Operators (InFO).  The InFO contains information that is not as critical for safety.  You can read more information about the InFO program here

On Feb 13, 2008 the FAA issued a Information for Operators update that actually has some implications for all pilots, from private through ATP.  The InFO states that the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standards are now requiring, effective March 5, 2008, that all pilots operating internationally have a certificate with an endorsement of language proficiency.   In other words….if you are flying internationally, you have to have an endorsement on your pilot certificate that says “English Proficient”

Here is the document:Info08008

You can obtain a replacement certificate with this added endorsement by going to:

http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/airmen_services/ 

Once you create a user name and logon, you can for $2.00 request a replacement pilot certificate.  Be sure to select “English Proficiency” as the reason for the replacement.  If your pilot certificate is still your social security number (gasp!) you can request to have that changed and get the language endorsement for free.

I would encourage everyone to request this new endorsement as you never know when you might find your travels taking you to far off exotic places such as Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean.

Fly Safe!