Author Archives: David Megginson
Wind and the TAF
I just read this TAF for Watertown International Airport (KART): KART 121738Z 121818 19008KT P6SM SKC FM0600 17006KT P6SM SCT250 WS015/23035KT FM1400 19012KT P6SM BKN250 WS015/23045KT The tricky parts are the phrases “WS015/23035KT” and “WS015/23045KT” — those might be common … Continue reading
Tagged numbers
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Know your fuel consumption
Update: WordPress tells me that this is my 100th post. Whoopie! Update 2: I went for another test flight on Friday, and the problem is fixed. When you land after a flight, do you know — within a gallon/a few … Continue reading
Tagged aviating, maintenance, numbers, owning
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Five-day aviation prog charts
Anyone who’s planned a serious cross-country knows not to pay attention to any weather forecast until about 12 hours before the flight, not to take any forecast seriously until 2 hours before the flight, and not to rely on a … Continue reading
Tagged web
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You can't, always
The weather might be marginal somewhere along your route. You’re instrument rated, but you’re concerned that filing IFR will result in a much longer trip, or maybe you’re worried that you’ll hit ice at the required IFR altitudes. Assuming that … Continue reading
Back in the air
Today I took my Warrior for its first flight with the overhauled engine installed. I haven’t flown it since 13 July, and it was a nice feeling, despite high winds and a lot of low-level turbulence. I was supposed to … Continue reading
Flying and the Metric System
The featured article of the day on Wikipedia for Saturday 29 October is Metrication, the process of converting a country to metric from various historical units of measure. Now that Ireland has switched, the only three countries left not officially … Continue reading
Tagged news, numbers
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XML 2005 Conference
My Warrior’s engine is finally back from overhaul in Halifax after its lighting strike, and I hope to be back in the air in a bit over a week. Next month, I’m planning a long (7+ hour) flight from Ottawa … Continue reading
Tagged aviating, places
3 Comments
FedEx flying spares
According to this New York Times article (via Kottke), FedEx launches five mostly-empty jets every night — from Las Vegas, Duluth, Laredo, Fort Myers, and Portland (ME) — all heading for Memphis through various meandering routes. These flying spares often … Continue reading
Tagged news
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Vintage airport postcards
Ron Dupas has an online collection of postcards, including a large collection with photos of airports. There are some great ones here, including the now-vanished Cartierville airport near Montreal, the TCA hangar in Vancouver in the early 60’s (my first … Continue reading
"VFR not recommended" not recommended
Like most Canadian pilots, I’m running pretty late updating my AIP, so I just noticed the contents of Aeronautical Information Circular 10/05 from last April. It’s worth quoting in full: Removal of the phrase “VFR flight not recommended” in pilot … Continue reading
Tagged canada-us, regulations
3 Comments
Land and Hold Short 