SkyboltAnother method I have been shown by a hugely-experience military instructor is:
~ open the map to the full
~ fold back any part of the map which is not in your route, so you only have your route showing
~ fold that to a convenient size for the cockpit
~ Don’t be afraid to create diagonal folds.
Janie,
That preference is because you and I pay for his maps as taxpayers. You would cry at the sight of wastepaper baskets in RAF Operations flight planning facilities. Sheer extravagent vandalism IMHO…….!!!!!
Cheers,
Trapper 69
:diablo: :diablo: :diablo: :dev2: :dev2: :dev2: 😡
SkyboltBrendan O’Brien for being quite the most innovative UK airshow pilot of the last 25 years. Also he is perhaps the finest airshow commentator with a style similar to a Tennessee tobacco auctioneer who can make the mundane seem magical and reduce airshow professionals to tears of mirth. Lastly, as he was so fond of saying in that memorable airshow TV series, he is a PILOT…….!!!
Cheers,
Trapper 69
PS – I would also nominate Vic Norman whose entrepreneurial skill in attracting and maintaining sponsors has ensured the success and quality of his Aerosuperbatics airshow company. This for a quarter of a century in a sphere where no prisoners are taken.
PPS – Finally, Rod Dean as being a display pilot of supreme competance in a huge variety of both piston and jet warbirds. In addition his contribution to the safety regulation of airshows in the UK has been enormous both within the CAA and outside it.
SkyboltCurtis Pitts, Maker of Famed Aerobatic Pitts Special, Dead at 89
By Lisa Orkin Emmanuel Associated Press Writer
Published: Jun 10, 2005
MIAMI (AP) – Curtis Pitts, who created the popular aerobatic biplane known as the Pitts Special, died Friday, his family said. He was 89.
Pitts died in a hospital on Friday of complications from a heart valve replacement, said his daughter, Martha Holder.
In 1943, Pitts, of suburban Homestead, built the first Pitts Special.
“Pitts began with an idea for an aerobatic aircraft that would defy gravity and be crisp on the controls,” the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington says on its Web site. “The resulting Pitts Special was revolutionary because of its small size, lightweight, short wingspan, and extreme agility.”
Each part of the plane can be broken down and shipped in pieces as a kit, reassembled at home by the owner.
The prototype Pitts, S-1, was severely damaged shortly after its first flight.
The oldest surviving Special, called The Little Stinker, is also the smallest Pitts aircraft, and when constructed in 1946 was the smallest aerobatic plane anywhere, the museum said.
Aerobatic pilot Betty Skelton won several championships in the late 1940s and into the ’50s with The Little Stinker, bringing attention to the design.
But the Pitts Specials really took off in the 1960s when people who were impressed by Skelton’s flying persuaded Pitts to create and sell construction drawings, the museum said.
In 1966, Bob Herendeen was named U.S. National Aerobatic Champion in his Pitts, the museum said, solidifying the plane’s reputation.
The museum said the Special is still the most successful and recognized American-built aerobatic design, and it continues to dominate aerobatic competitions.
Pitts’ daughter said she will remember Pitts “as my father, the most understanding man in the world … and the wisest and gentlest.”
Pitts is survived by his two daughters, eight grandchildren, six great grandchildren and six great, great grandchildren, Holder said.
SkyboltA little more information.
Cheers,
Trapper 69
Press release from the EAA –
LEGEND CURTIS PITTS PASSES AWAY
June 10, 2005 – EAA President Tom Poberezny received a call from the Curtis Pitts family late Friday morning to inform EAA that the legendary aircraft designer had passed away just within the last hour at the age of 89. Tom expressed his sincere condolences on behalf of the EAAers throughout the world who knew him and his famous aircraft designs.
Tom shared with family members the impact Curtis had on his personal life, most notably flying a Pitts Special in his years with the Red Devils aerobatic team as well as flying a Pitts while competing in the World Aerobatic Championships. All told, Tom has more than 3,300 hours piloting Pitts aircraft.
“More important was his personality and willingness to share so much with those who were in pursuit of aviation as a career, recreation, or aerobatic performer,” he said. “As we mourn, we should take this opportunity to celebrate his life and contributions to the aviation community.”
Tom made note of a timely feature article in the current (June) issue of EAA Sport Aviation titled, “Sixty Years of Specials” by Budd Davisson. It chronicles the rich history Curtis created with his many aircraft designs dating back to 1945. “I would encourage all EAAers to read this article.”
EAA will provide information as it becomes available.
SkyboltMerci beaucoup mon ami.
Felicitations,
Trapper 69
SkyboltThe UK is as far as I know the only EU country to have a DA system. As and when other EU nations adopt a DA system then those will be acceptable in the UK.
The USA has its low level waiver system but that is only for aerobatics below 1500 feet agl. Back in 1989 the then FAA Administrator accepted my point that a spectator at a show does not care whether the aircraft was doing aerobatics or not just before it hit him. He is really p***ed off anyway. Alan McArtor had to agree but nothing changed.
Foreign pilots either have a UK DA or an exemption from the CAA from having one. These exemptions are only granted for a one off event and subject either to have been seen by the CAA at events abroad or having a recommendation from their own countries National Aviation Authority. Even then it is rarely granted. I know, having signed quite a few in the distant past.
Cheers,
Trapper 69
😮 😎 😎 :diablo: :diablo: :dev2: :dev2: :dev2: :dev2:
SkyboltPaul Bonhomme, a superb airshow pilot and Sukhoi maestro. Handsome too……sod it..!
Cheers,
Trapper 69
SkyboltWell the launch of the CAA charges consultation took place with around 20 representatives from UK aviation organisations present. The consultation period for responses will last 12 weeks until early September, much longer than is usual, to give all “stakeholders”, and that does include YOU, plenty of time to submit their thoughts.
I will analyse my initial reactions in the next few days on the forum however if you want to see what is now proposed the detail is on –
http://www.caa.co.uk/charges
If you would like an electronic copy then email your request to –
[email]charges@srg.caa.co.uk[/email]
My immediate comment to the HAA, ADA(E), EAC and the RAeS LAG chairmen was –
“The consultation period for the CAA charging scheme proposals started today and I attended the presentation in London where the SRG GDSR, Mike Bell, and a team from SRG gave details to around 20 representatives from UK aviation organisations. My initial reaction is that having expected GA to be murdered I find it is merely to suffer grievous bodily harm so should I feel grateful……??”. I reckon that about sums it up.
Seriously though, the final proposals are far less damaging to the UK airshow scene than was feared when news of the first draft of the JRT’s recommendations was leaked. This probably thanks to the aviation media and associated website publicity and the efforts of many forum readers in writing to their MP’s and the CAA chairman; not to mention that damaging EDM drafted by Gerald Howarth MP and supported by many other MP’s of all political persuasions. I reckon the CAA, along with the DfT, felt somewhat exposed as a result and the CAA board of directors decided to water down some of the JRT’s recommendations. Good for them.
Nevertheless there are many areas where charges to General Aviation and other aspects of UK aviation are going to rise. Considerably in some respects. More news in a couple of days after detailed study of what is proposed.
When you have a chance to look over the CAA website details I would much appreciate your comments as all inputs to the response process may produce some good ideas for alternative ways of carving up the cake.
Cheers,
Trapper 69
PS – A plea to the moderators to make this thread a “sticky”. It really does deserve it.
SkyboltWonderful photos. Thanks a bunch. If you could make Old Warden with them that would really be the icing on the cake. Along with some excellent publicity for the film.
Cheers,
Trapper 69
SkyboltIts not only the UK with problems of increased charges from the regulator –
“Another Perspective On User Fees — Oz’s Could Quadruple”
With the debate over user fees for GA gathering steam here in the U.S., the issue is playing out in a more extreme form down under, where Australian GA pilots face a fourfold increase in the fees they pay for government services. “This is getting very, very scary and more to the point, it’s proving that CASA [Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority] is not capable of regulating aviation any more,” said Ron Bertram, president of the Australian unit of AOPA. CASA executive Bruce Gemmell said last week that his agency needs to boost annual revenues from the industry from $5 million to $20 million by 2008-2009, The Australian reported on Friday. Bertram responded that hikes on that scale would not only threaten GA’s economic survival, but also raise safety issues. “If you can’t afford it, what happens? Do you operate unsafely?” he asked.
There is to be a briefing by the CAA in London on Friday 10 June on the JRT proposals. I will keep the thread updated.
Cheers,
Trapper 69
SkyboltDerek Clark MEP is clearly part of the problem – not part of the solution. Pressure on the EU transport commissioner from MEP’s can be effective but Clark seems to have forgotten why he was elected by his constituents. Perhaps they will be wiser next time. Despite his lukewarm reaction to the request for help we will get this ludicrous situation changed.
Cheers,
Trapper 69
SkyboltWhat a cracker………..!!! Drool, drool – envy gets you nowhere. Sod it.
Cheers,
Trapper 69
SkyboltIt may well be that the required insurance cover is not available on an “hourly” premium but only by paying a full years premium.
Incessant bleating just might achieve some results especially if co-ordinated – silence achieves sod all and indicates blind acceptance of what the EU and the UK DfT regard as a done deal. Fed up indeed – what do you think I feel at the potential loss of many fine aircraft on the airshow circuit…??
Cheers,
Trapper 69
SkyboltMerlin 70: Up to now the only cost increase to bite hard is the new EU inspired mandatory liability insurance for aircraft operators. That really only seriously affects the heavy “heritage” aircraft who face huge increases in the amount of cover needed, The big CAA charges increase start to be introduced in October 2005 unless all of us make a real effort to voice our opposition to the CAA proposal and enlist the support of MP’s. Consultation should start on 10 June if they keep to the schedule planned.
Cheers,
Trapper 69
SkyboltIt is actually 25K additional premium and the insurance cover does not determine airliner status. The amount of cover needed increases almost logarithmically as the aircraft max weight goes up.
Sally B has a Permit to Fly which does not allow many things including carrying passengers. What happens legally in the USA and some other countries is often illegal in the UK. Illogical but true…….!!!
Cheers,
Trapper 69
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