UCAP Blog

We got this pic from listener Brad M from Germany. It’s from Sun ‘n Fun 2008. I really like this pic ’cause we look so relaxed. Most of my memories from doing these “live” episodes is of working hard to make good use of the special opportunity. But in this one we just look like [...]

From an article on Flying Magazine’s website: The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is embracing general aviation as part of its disaster planning preparations after conducting a successful large-scale disaster drill that included private aircraft dealing with a simulated national emergency. … In the exercise, GA aircraft participated in coordination with other relief operations [...]

AvWeb’s Paul Bertorelli does the best job I’ve seen lately (ever?) of describing the state of the art in producing “new” “alternative” fuels. Over a year ago, on the UCAP podcast, we reported our discovery that Swift Fuel was not being made from bio sources. Samples were being made from petroleum derived stock. Bertorelli reiterates [...]

OK, cynic that life has made me, it was somewhat amusing,even somewhat surprising, to see an ad in my morning Wichita Eagle newspaper proclaiming the enormous benefits headed toward rural America through the magic of 4G broadband — courtesy of LightSquared. Now for those who spend their time in more useful pursuits than monitoring the [...]

In UCAP 236 Dave schools us on Gamera, both the flying scifi monster, and the human powered rotorcraft.

FlightMonkeys guest blogger Jack Thompson tells us of the day he went flying with hangar neighbor, 86 year-old, veteran pilot, “Charlie”. “I’ve had loves in my life, but the love I’ve had for airplanes and flying has been one of my greatest joys. I got bit by the flying bug as a teenager – I’ve never [...]

Complementing Jack’s post below, authorities have announced the cockpit voice recorder from Air France Flight 447 has been recovered. Image at this link depicts the recovered device and its memory module being sealed for transport, presumably to France, for the next phase of the investigation into the May 1, 2009 crash. Jeb

Here’s a graphic example of why you don’t land an amphib on water with the wheels deployed. Ouch. Via Flight Monkeys

I know that there’s been arm-wrestling going on for years about the spectacular and historic Hangar One at Moffett Field. But I hadn’t realized that this dramatic a milestone had been reached. If you have any influence in the area, I urge you to support the completion of this restoration project. In the next several [...]