Glamorous Glennis

I can't let the anniversary of Chuck Yeager breaking the sound barrier in the Bell X-1 slip by with out giving a shout-out. Thank you for your bravery Chuck.

http://www.wired.com/thisdayintech/2009/10/1014yeager-breaks-mach-1/

On a side note, General Yeager is still flying and appears to enjoy performing supersonic flybys at airshows. He will make an appearance this Saturday at Edwards Air Force Base.

image courtesy of NASA

WSJ: Some Frequent Travelers Prefer to Be in Cockpit

The Wall Street Journal posted a very evenhanded and informative article on small business use of a general aviation aircraft. The comments to the article are also very helpful and informative.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125418324986547955.html

AOPA defends community airports

In response to an incredibly short-sided and poorly researched article written by the USA Today

http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2009/09/debate-on-taxing-air-travelers-our-view-ticket-taxes-get-diverted-to-fund-tiny-airfields.html

they did give Craig Fuller, CEO of AOPA a chance to rebut. I wish he had made an even stronger case, as he could have mentioned the many ways in which municipal airports server their community, but at least he had a chance to set the record straight.

http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2009/09/opposing-view-small-airports-benefit-all.html

update 9/30/2009:
“It’s very disturbing when a major newspaper like that does not bother to take the time to get the facts straight before they write a major article like this, especially with their nationwide circulation,” Ehlers (Vernon Ehlers (R-Mich.)) said during the hearing. “I think we have to speak up against that and make them aware of the situation.”
http://www.aopa.org/advocacy/articles/2009/090928usatoday.html?WT.mc_id=ebrief

Talk about getting your money's worth

Apparently the Air Force is basically flying the wings off of their KC-135s.

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009/08/the-eisenhower-era-jet-that-keeps-the-air-force-aloft/

Congratulations NASA on your 40th anniversary of the moon landing

A proud time to be an American, thank you NASA and the brave astronauts who accomplished the mission goals.

Morgan Freeman lends his voice to GA

Exciting news! I updated the GA Serves America post with more on the story.

CBS News comments on stimulus funds for GA airports

Sad to see such a biased and unbelievably un-researched "news report" such as this. If anything it truly smacks of just plain laziness on the "reporters" part. It is heartening to see that the comments at the bottom of the article are heavily weighted in favor of general aviation and highlight many of the ways smaller airports benefit society. Please comment on the article as well!

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/13/eveningnews/main5156598.shtml

update 7/16/09:
sage reply to the CBS article from the Anchorage press
http://www.anchoragepress.com/articles/2009/07/15/news/doc4a5e66a24112a505139202.txt