Max Trescott Aviation Trends Aloft

User Fees Off the Table for 2008!

So says an AOPA website story from Friday, April 24. That is welcome news that’s been a long time in coming. It means that the stalemate in the Senate, over what method to use to fund the FAA for the next four years, appears to be over. There are still many steps needed before an FAA reauthorization bill is actually signed into law, but at least the logjam is broken and progress is being made. It also means that General Aviation can now...

Keeping Flying Affordable

I was at Sun 'n Fun last week, and several of the conversations revolved around keeping flying affordable. If you haven’t been to Sun ‘n Fun, put it on your calendar for next year. It’s the second largest air show after Oshkosh, and it’s always held in April at the Lakeland, FL airport. That’s a hop, skip and a jump from either Orlando or Tampa International airports, which gives you lots of choices if you choose to fly via the airlines. If you fly in yourself, make sure that you read next year’s NOTAM for the show. The 2008 Sun ‘n Fun NOTAM is a pdf file that runs 45 pages and applies to 17 airports in the area.

AOPA had a large presence at Sun ‘n Fun, and they were...

Sun 'n Fun live over the internet!

Yes, those are the Thunderbirds! They've been roaring overhead all week, and if you can't be in Lakeland, FL for Sun 'n Fun, then you might be able to catch them live over the internet on Saturday. The FAA's TV production studios are located right in the middle of the Sun 'n Fun show, and they run a total of 7 cameras from various locations. You can learn more at the FAA's studios website. I was...

G1000 Pilots Getting Synthetic Vision

If you're a pilot, Christmas comes twice a year in April and July. That’s when manufacturers trot out announcements of their new products at Sun ‘n Fun and AirVenture. Based on press releases by Garmin, Cessna and Diamond, Sun ‘n Fun—where I’ll be later this week—is off to a roaring start.

First, Garmin announced their Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT), which presents a 3D depiction of terrain, obstacles and traffic on the G1000’s PFD or primary flight-display. As we note below, Garmin has had this on the drawing board since they first introduced the G1000 in June, 2004. Essential, it draws on the PFD the picture that a pilot would see looking out the window on a clear day. It also...