New flight school launched near Pittsburgh

Here's something I was surprised to catch in today's local [Pittsburgh] news, a new flight school is in operation at the Arnold Palmer airport in Latrobe, PA. It's great to see people turning their passions into businesses. Here is the link to the article:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10259/1087827-56.stm

Forbes blogger espouses utilizing a small airplane for business

Here's a nice write-up of one person's experience in successfully using their personal airplane for a business trip:

http://blogs.forbes.com/wheelsup/2010/09/13/express-lane-using-your-private-aircraft-for-business

Instrument Rating!

On September 2, 2010, I took, and passed, my instrument rating practical test!

New instrument ticket, hot off the press.

My intrepid CFIIs, Keith and Mike, thanks guys!

Freedom to Fly

I'm not sure how I missed this but AOPA put together a collection of videos for the 4th of July this year where people talk about the reasons they fly. Here are the links:

http://www.aopa.org/freedom2fly/video.html

http://www.aopa.org/freedom2fly/video2.html

Also, here is the HD version of the National Aviation Day video I posted earlier which has some amazing pictures taken by pilots.

http://www.aopa.org/freedom2fly/atbhd.html

Learning to become a pilot - one person's experience

This was an interesting blog post in Forbes about one woman's quest to earn her pilot certificate. I certainly have never heard of an 8+ hour practical exam but I suppose it could be possible. It is worth a read however as it provides some perspective on the process but her's differed vastly from my experience. I enjoyed just about every moment in the air during my training.
http://blogs.forbes.com/wheelsup/2010/08/19/in-defense-of-elitists-–why-not-everybody-can-or-should-be-a-pilot/

Happy National Aviation Day - August 19th

Celebrating Orville Wright's birthday.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Aviation_Day

Pittsburgh Post Gazette shines positive light on local airports

Small local airports are flying high

In an economy that has cut corporate and leisure travel, they offer pilot schools and new hangars, among other amenities

Thursday, July 08, 2010

By Jon Schmitz, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10189/1071068-56.stm