Author Archives: Rory

Flying Around Kona

By Rory | Published: February 23, 2011
We woke up early, at 5 AM to meet the instructor at the Kona Airport by 6 am. The sun wasn’t up yet, so we did the preflight on the Cessna 172 in the dark with a flashlight. The instructor really expedited our checklists and preflight, so we started up pretty quickly and headed off [...]
Posted in Learn to Fly | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Wind Shear Cancelled my Last Lesson, So I’m headed to Hawaii Instead

By Rory | Published: February 15, 2011
I was planning my next flying lesson for the beginning of February, but because of a high wind warning, and low level wind shear, my lesson was canceled. Unfortunately, I was not able to work in another one before leaving town. My wife Heather and I are in Kona, Hawaii. As we departed LAX for [...]
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Will drones threaten the safety of General Aviation?

By Rory | Published: January 28, 2011
The news has reported recently that the FAA is fast-tracking the process of approving drone flights in US airspace. Until now, drones were limited to being used by the Department of Homeland Security for patrolling the US-Mexico border. Now it seems that drones are on their way to broader use. One proposed idea for using [...]
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Flying Wild Alaska: Aviation on TV

By Rory | Published: January 22, 2011
As with most things aviation, I am a huge fan of this new show on the Discovery Channel, “Flying Alaska Wild“. The show is on Fridays and follows a family who runs a regional (puddle jumper) airline throughout Alaska. The challenges of running any airline are significant, but in Alaska weather and logistics present several [...]
Posted in Aircraft for Sale, Learn to Fly | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Manfred von Richthofen, The Red Baron

By Rory | Published: January 12, 2011
I was checking out new books for the Kindle Platform on Amazon since I can now read the Kindle Books on my iPhone. I was really surprised to see “The Red Fighter Pilot – The Autobiography of the Red Baron” for only .99. That was a no-brainer and I immediately downloaded the book. I am [...]
Posted in Famous Aviators, Fokker, Red Baron, WWI | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Flying the Mesa Departure from John Wayne

By Rory | Published: January 7, 2011
Up until now, I have only flown to the practice areas south of John Wayne airport. This includes the El Toro practice area as well as the Dana Point practice area. One great thing about flying the same practice areas is that you get accustomed to the landmarks and navigation. Exiting and entering the Santa [...]
Posted in Airports, General Aviation, KSNA - John Wayne - Santa Ana, Learn to Fly, My Private Pilot Training, Private Pilot | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Watch a 747 battle a Tug on the ramp and Ruin Someone’s day

By Rory | Published: December 31, 2010
747 vs Airplane Tug Tweet This Post
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Private Pilot License Update

By Rory | Published: December 17, 2010
Stats: 22.5 hours (time in both Cessna 152 and Cessna 172) 79 Takeoffs and Landings Currently working on: Stalls, Steep Turns, Unusual Attitude Recovery, Instrument (hood work), Radio Communication with Control Tower, SoCal Approach, Ground Control, Clearance Delivery and Flying the Traffic Pattern at KSNA (John Wayne, Santa Ana). About to work on: VOR Introduction, [...]
Posted in Air Traffic Control, Airports, Flight Schools, General Aviation, KSNA - John Wayne - Santa Ana, My Private Pilot Training, Private Pilot | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

After a Trip To Washington

By Rory | Published: December 7, 2010
My wife and I recently took a trip to SEA TAC in Washington State. Let’s review all of the awesome aviation related attractions along with those that we did and did not see while we were there: Boeing Field – We did not see it. Boeing Factory Tour – We didn’t do that. Seattle Museum [...]
Posted in Air Traffic Control, Airports, Commercial Airlines, FAA, KSEA - SEA TAC - Seattle Tacoma | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Airbus Flying Palace A-380

By Rory | Published: November 23, 2010
With a jet that has parking for a Rolls Royce also possibly powered by 4 engines make by Rolls Royce this plan for an Airbus Flying Palace may be the most extravagant private aircraft ever conceptualized. This plane is reportedly under development for a high profile royal from the middle east, possibly Saudi Prince al-Waleed [...]
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Fokker Kitplane Runs on a Lawnmower Engine

By Rory | Published: October 20, 2010
What do you do when you can’t decide between flying a scale RC plane, and flying the real thing? What do you do when your building airplane hobby gets a bit out of hand? You build a lawnmower powered WWI replica plane, of course. This homebuilt airplane is just plane fun. The modern day photos [...]
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747 Airshow over the Golden Gate Bridge

By Rory | Published: October 20, 2010
Here is a United 747 buzzing the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco. You can see that they have the flaps and gear down to get that puppy as slow as possible right over the bridge. You have to admire the steep turn with the plane setup in landing configuration, and the size of the [...]
Posted in 747, 747-400, Airshow, Boeing, Commercial Airlines, United Airlines | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Pilot flies without arms

By Rory | Published: October 18, 2010
Next time I think that learning to fly can be the slightest bit overwhelming, I’ll just have to watch this video of a pilot flying solo without arms: Pilot_Flies_Without_Arms-SABG.wmvUploaded by vidalde. – Explore more music videos. Tweet This Post
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Flying Lessons Update – Can You Help Me Earn My Wings?

By Rory | Published: September 28, 2010
If you love flying and aviation, and you want to sponsor me to become a private pilot, you can donate: Or Advertise, or you can Hire Me to do something. I have been taking flying lessons at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, CA (KSNA). I decided to go with Royal Aviation after interviewing 2 [...]
Posted in Flight Instructors, Flight Schools, General Aviation, Private Pilot | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments