Recent content by RAF805

I have one of these. I use it as a light switch in my hangar!

I forgot to mention this earlier. Try and find a Commemorative Air Force unit or some other flying museum near you and start volunteering there. The networking opportunities can be tremendous and it might give you the chance to pick up some free flight time along the way.

I picked up my PPL, Commercial single/multiengine, instrument rating all while working a fulltime job and being a parent. It's totally achievable to do that at a Part 61 school. The downside is that it is a slower process. Another potential downside is that I don't think that Part 61 qualifies...

It's great that you are thinking ahead and trying to come up with a backup plan. With either option, you are going to be paying for college. I'll give you the same advice that I gave my son. Go to college (or some other vocational school) and study something that you both enjoy and can earn a...

I have a company-issued iPad and use it to help keep track of our position on the airport. However, it often loses the GPS signal and the position information. It's a useful tool but not error free. Our company also requires that both pilots confirm the correct runway prior to takeoff. That...

Thanks for posting the Wings Over Solano video. I was supposed to be one of the PBJ (Marine Corps version of the B-25) pilots but I had a work trip come up. I heard it was a great show. The Stearman pilot, Vicki Benzing, is super nice. I've crossed paths with her and her husband at a lot of...

A couple of years ago I was at an airshow with a B-25. The crew from a B-52 wandered over and wanted to check out the cockpit of our plane. I responded with something like, "I'll show you mine if you show me yours!" and before you know it, I got to climb into the cockpit of the B-52. For such a...

Almost all US military programs require that you become a commissioned officer which needs a degree. There is only one exception that I know of and that is an Army warrant officer program that is focused on rotary wing aircraft. I generally recommend that people who are interested in aviation...

Ummm...Okay. While there appear to be similarities, I think the content was different. Also, with no disrespect to M8E1, someone with a history of poor grades will struggle to be accepted into any military pilot program. At 29, M8E1 is too old for admission to any of the US service academies and...

Another option may be to get a job, possibly at a local FBO, save your money and work to build flight time. Chip away at getting your private certificate. Once you have that, network at your local airport and act as a safety pilot for other pilots who are doing instrument practice. Over time you...

I had a forced landing due to an engine failure was definitely scared. It didn't stop me from functioning but it did focus my attention on the situation. When I listened to the ATC recording, I was pleased that my voice only went up one octave on the radio!

Two mags per engine. Each engine has 14 cylinders.

1700 HP from each engine. Although to be fair, we never run the engines at that high of a power setting. Not only do we not have access to 130 octane fuel, we try and baby the engines to take care of them.

It is one of the Commemorative Air Force planes. I've been a member for many years and have the privilege to fly some of their planes. As far as how it flies, it isn't super hard but it is still challenging for me. There is no automation and quite a bit more engine management than most people...

On the B-25, we plan on using 1 gallon/hour of oil for each engine. One of the joys of flying a plane with radial engines....cleaning the oil off the engine nacelles after the flight!