Happy Mom's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all of those mother's out there. Our family didn't do much for the day - just relaxed a little and went to church.

It has been raining here for about 4 days and it looks like at least tomorrow is going to be slightly rainy as well. I'm hoping for a little better week of flying this week as last week's weather really wasn't worth anything.

Clear skies,
kc

"Those small airplanes are dangerous!"

Ok. So this struck a nerve this morning in the newspaper... see the Cedar Rapids Gazette, May 11, page 11A. There is an article about the dangers of traveling for campaigns in small aircraft. The author does not even attempt to look at the other side, choosing rather to attack general aviation and deem those "small airplanes" unairworthy for the entire nation to read.

I've seen a lot of media bullcrap on this issue. The main problem is that they are writing about an industry/hobby/whatever that they simply do NOT understand, and therefore most of the articles they write are just completely wrong.

The quotes, though, are my favorite. They get people to give them a quote that sounds just right for making aviation seem unsafe. My question is: what does the freakin' media have against flying? Would they rather get rid of aviation totally and just drive places again?

Food for thought...

700 and 4

I am sitting here waiting for the weather to pick up... but that is not happening. Additionally, the guy with the Cub is busy this evening, so I find myself with some time on my hands. No big deal - we all have things going on in life. But I do enjoy that Cub (see previous post).

Oh, the things that are coming...
I don't think people know exactly what my plans are for the "future of flight training materials". That's good - I don't want anyone to really know just yet. But I assure you that it will change the way people learn to fly. Forget about boring textbooks ... forget stale diagrams... that's all I'm really going to say at this point. Keep watching this blog and the main site (http://www.aviationgeek.com) for more information and teasers.

-kc

Goin' Cubbin'

"And let's get one thing straight. There's a big difference between a pilot and an aviator. One is a technician; the other is an artist in love with flight."
- E.B. Jeppesen

Folks. This is what flying is all about. Forget your GPS, heck - even forget your VOR navigation! Pure stick and rudder. I have been doing a tailwheel endorsement for a fellow out of Vinton in his Piper J-3 Cub and I have to say - what a blast!

For those of you who are trapped in those business jets and multi-engine tubes, you don't really know what you are missing. Oh - I know... let's get there and go fast and yada yada. Have fun. But Saturday, yes Saturday... I flew like they used to. Wind in my face, pure stick and rudder (remember when you didn't have autopilot?), grass fields....

Some people wonder why I have so much against autopilots, multi-engine aircraft, and being a bus driver. Flying is meant to be fun. It has always been fun for me, but I have found that just getting up, turning on the GPS, and letting Auto do the work does not really do much for me any more. In fact, it doesn't really do anything for me at all. If "fun" is babysitting an airplane for you, then go have some fun.

So, for those of who have simply have to "get there", well... you just go ahead and get there. I'll be the one in the Piper Cub (or any other great taildragger) putting along at 60-70 knots enjoying the view and really - really flying.

Pictures of the Cub flying are coming soon.

Projects and other stuff

I continue to keep busy with school, but I am also tackling some new aviation-related projects that I think will really change the way flight training is viewed. Keep checking back for more updates as things continue to get further along in the process.

School & Stuff
New classes are starting this week ... Management Information Systems and Cases in Public Administration. Should be interesting! I am ready to be done with this school stuff - a waste of money if you ask me - it's just another business, folks! Another business.....

Immigration
I really don't have anything to write about with regards to immigration in the U.S., other than the fact that all of the hoopla is starting to irritate me. Oh - and absolutely no spanish Star Spangled Banner. I will move to Europe.

Clear skies,
kc