Tampa C172 Incident
Why do it if it's not fun?
Join Date: Jul 2001
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Evo7,
Yes, they let GA in there. First time I went there, landed on 11R. Needed to cross 11L to get to parking, was told "hold short of 11L", and 4 F16's took off a few feet away from me - superb!
Next time I went there, was told to contact Unicom for parking assistance. Unicom told me to Standby. Standby? All I want to know is where you want me to park! Then, 30 seconds later, a Follow Me cart pulls up in front of me, directs me to a parking space, and the driver chocked my wheels and gave me a lift to the terminal.
Oh yes, the total cost for all this service? Zero. Absolutely no fees at all. And I believe the overnight parking fees for a single-engined aircraft are something like $5/night.
They were also quite happy to let me use the opposite direction runway to other traffic - a 8kt tailwind might not bother a 737, but it makes a big difference to the take-off distance of a Cub! That was the first time I was there - after that, I figured out that the runway was so long that even with the tailwind I'd have got off with plenty of room to spare, and took off with a 7kt tailwind last time with no problem. But the fact that they didn't mind me screwing them around asking for opposite direction was pretty cool.
Well, this post has taken the thread completely off-topic, hasn't it?
FFF
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Yes, they let GA in there. First time I went there, landed on 11R. Needed to cross 11L to get to parking, was told "hold short of 11L", and 4 F16's took off a few feet away from me - superb!
Next time I went there, was told to contact Unicom for parking assistance. Unicom told me to Standby. Standby? All I want to know is where you want me to park! Then, 30 seconds later, a Follow Me cart pulls up in front of me, directs me to a parking space, and the driver chocked my wheels and gave me a lift to the terminal.
Oh yes, the total cost for all this service? Zero. Absolutely no fees at all. And I believe the overnight parking fees for a single-engined aircraft are something like $5/night.
They were also quite happy to let me use the opposite direction runway to other traffic - a 8kt tailwind might not bother a 737, but it makes a big difference to the take-off distance of a Cub! That was the first time I was there - after that, I figured out that the runway was so long that even with the tailwind I'd have got off with plenty of room to spare, and took off with a 7kt tailwind last time with no problem. But the fact that they didn't mind me screwing them around asking for opposite direction was pretty cool.
Well, this post has taken the thread completely off-topic, hasn't it?
FFF
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Join Date: Apr 2001
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FFF
Do they have a flying club there? If so, I'll have to look at doing a bit of flying next time I'm in Az. I imagine the area around Tucson is pretty spectacular from the air - holding for F16's sounds fun too... <img src="smile.gif" border="0">
And sorry to y'all for dragging this thread so far off topic. Good thing we're not moderated here.... <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0"> <img src="smile.gif" border="0">
Do they have a flying club there? If so, I'll have to look at doing a bit of flying next time I'm in Az. I imagine the area around Tucson is pretty spectacular from the air - holding for F16's sounds fun too... <img src="smile.gif" border="0">
And sorry to y'all for dragging this thread so far off topic. Good thing we're not moderated here.... <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0"> <img src="smile.gif" border="0">
Flies for fun
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Had a flying holidayin California last month, F16's flying in pairs is not an uncommon sight now. Resrictions on circling dams, power plants and public places ie sports events etc. in place. ATC appear reluctant to allow flying in/through Class B airspace.
Join Date: Apr 2001
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There were large amounts of 'Enhanced Class B' airspace last time I was there (Nov '01), basically I had to file IR to get anywhere. This was a bit weird as student PPLs could go where they wanted but PPLs wanting to file VFR couldnt relaly do a lot, some were taking a plane inland with an instructor then kicking the instrctor out and then taking the plane and getting an instructor back a few dayslater.
Heard a few planes infringe San Onofre power plants 10 mile zone and getting warned by SOCAL! If you filed IFR though they were great, vectored me right round and straight onto the ILS at LGB every time, took the hard work out of the flying at left to do a bit oflooking out of the window. Mind you I file IFR now all the time even in VFR conditions, much simpler to fly airways. <img src="smile.gif" border="0">
Julian.
Heard a few planes infringe San Onofre power plants 10 mile zone and getting warned by SOCAL! If you filed IFR though they were great, vectored me right round and straight onto the ILS at LGB every time, took the hard work out of the flying at left to do a bit oflooking out of the window. Mind you I file IFR now all the time even in VFR conditions, much simpler to fly airways. <img src="smile.gif" border="0">
Julian.
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No prob, FlyFreeWbe. The main reason for the seeming disparity between grade-level and age is that US pupils normally begin school a year or two later than their European counterparts.
In any case, I have to concur with the European obseravtions on the American "educational" system: it's a guise for extended public-funded daycare. I consider myself educated despite the system, not because of it (spending most of my time in the library and all that!).
Would I send my kids [hypothetical; don't have any yet!] to a US public [UK readers read that "state"] school? HELL no!
[ 10 January 2002: Message edited by: LRRPinator ]</p>
In any case, I have to concur with the European obseravtions on the American "educational" system: it's a guise for extended public-funded daycare. I consider myself educated despite the system, not because of it (spending most of my time in the library and all that!).
Would I send my kids [hypothetical; don't have any yet!] to a US public [UK readers read that "state"] school? HELL no!
[ 10 January 2002: Message edited by: LRRPinator ]</p>
Join Date: Oct 2001
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The kid was an honour student. I don't think there's much point trying to understand why he did it or in trying to find an easy culprit. Teenagers are volatile, blame it on hormones or whatever, but suicide has been around long before Osama Bin Laden. It's sad, its tragic, in this case it's spectacular, but that's just the way it is. It's a miracle anyone survives adolescence really - if you're not hell bent on destroying yourself outright, you're doing something dangerous enough to get you there unwittingly. At least that's the way I remember it. <img src="wink.gif" border="0">
You could argue that teenagers don't have the maturity to handle an airplane, but I've heard way too many "aviation saved me from ruin" stories to believe that. If you have the bent for it, chances are good that you'll learn responsiblilty, disicpline, accountability, confidence.
You need the keys for that.
It's just too bad that it didn't work for Charles.
You could argue that teenagers don't have the maturity to handle an airplane, but I've heard way too many "aviation saved me from ruin" stories to believe that. If you have the bent for it, chances are good that you'll learn responsiblilty, disicpline, accountability, confidence.
You need the keys for that.
It's just too bad that it didn't work for Charles.
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... But you do need keys for a C172 walkround. The preflight requires full flap - you need to open the door to turn the electrics on. It's also not unusual for an instructor to send a student out to do preflight. They double-check fuel when they come out a few minutes later. I guess this kids actions will change that.
Why do it if it's not fun?
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Evo7,
Went back there today, and asked in the Executive Terminal. They gave me a list of General Aviation Services on the field, including four flight schools, and two other businesses that charter, but aren't schools - don't know how many of them would be suitable, but I'm sure at least one or two will be!
If you're in the area, pop into the Executive Terminal and get the details from them. If you want to give these places a ring before you arrive to find out aircraft types, prices, etc. then e-mail at [email protected] and I'll send you all the details,
Cheers,
FFF
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Went back there today, and asked in the Executive Terminal. They gave me a list of General Aviation Services on the field, including four flight schools, and two other businesses that charter, but aren't schools - don't know how many of them would be suitable, but I'm sure at least one or two will be!
If you're in the area, pop into the Executive Terminal and get the details from them. If you want to give these places a ring before you arrive to find out aircraft types, prices, etc. then e-mail at [email protected] and I'll send you all the details,
Cheers,
FFF
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According to a newspaper article, this man had been taking Accutane , a drug used for severe acne. According to The Food and Drug Administration it affects the central nervous system. 147 people using this drug in the last i8 years have either attempted or committed suicide. We shall see.
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According to a newspaper article, this man had been taking Accutane , a drug used for severe acne. According to The Food and Drug Administration it affects the central nervous system. 147 people using this drug in the last i8 years have either attempted or committed suicide. We shall see.
