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August 25, 2004
How to save space in your hangar
This is in Florida, after hurricane Charley.
Posted by Elie at 10:13 PM
August 23, 2004
Boeing 737 in your garage
This guy really knows what he wants. He wanted a realistic flight simmulator, he has got one!
He bought the flight deck of an old Boeing 737 and has adapted Microsoft Flight Simulator inside. He has installed the whole plane nose in his garage.
His wife must be really pleased!
Check out his web site: Matt Ford's 737 Project
Posted by Elie at 09:59 PM
August 16, 2004
Aviation is NOT dangerous
The main remark I am getting when I mention that I am a private pilot is something along the lines:
"Whoa, this must be soooooooooo dangerous!"
No, it is not.
For some reason, there is a very common misconception that flying general aviation airplanes is dangerous.
Flying is probably one of the most regulated activity. Flying is the only activity where safety is taught at every stage of the apprenticeship and even after. Every aviation book, magazine and instructor spends a very large amount of mindshare on safety. Every flight is prepared and planned with safety at the center of the planning.
Airplanes are inspected and maintained every 50 hours. Airplanes' airworthyness is re-assessed every 50 hours and it is made sure that the plane is safe to fly. Aircraft engines are replaced every 1500 - 2400 hours.
And general aviation very high safety track record is proven by statistics. Look at the safety statistics below:
This basically means that if you fly, you have 0.0014% chances to die in an accident.
It also means that you have 0.0067% chances of having an accident.
All event that "should not have happened" are counted as accident. This include minor incidents such as a landing roll breaking problem, fuel starvation and successful emergency landing and also plane crashes.
It is definitely more dangerous to drive to the airport that to fly. So, please, stop the "general aviation is dangerous" myth now!
Source: National Transport and Safety Board - Aviation Accident Statistics
Posted by Elie at 11:05 PM
August 08, 2004
Harris Ranch
I flew to Harris Ranch in a Cessna 152 with my great copilot MB. It is on the way from San Francisco to Los Angeles (about 1/3 of the way).
You know when you are about to get there as you can smell the cows from 15 miles away (even from the plane). Then, you fly over a huge ranch, with billions of cows.
We stopped there to eat (one of the smelly cows). They have a roadside restaurant with an asphalt landing strip. We then flew back over Coalinga, King City and back to San Carlos.
Posted by Elie at 12:23 PM
August 07, 2004
Unknown temple
When flying to Lakeport/Lampson on August 7th, we flew over this building that looks like a temple. It is located in the vicinity of ocean ridge.
I am wondering what this is and why it is located in such a remote location. If you have any clue, post a comment.
Posted by Elie at 10:26 PM
Golden Gate Bridge in the Fog
When flying over the city on August 7th, the Golden Gate was partially in the fog. Although these shots are beautiful, this is nothing compared to the amazing sight from the plane.
Posted by Elie at 10:21 PM
Lakeport / Lampson
We flew today to Lakeport / Lampson with a Cessna 172 (180ch) with my copilot MB. Gorgeous views on the way north when flying along the coast. The airport is next to Clear Lake, very lovely and peaceful area.
We eat at their airport restaurant and flewback over Santa Rosa and Berkeley.
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Posted by Elie at 08:08 PM