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There is a great book out there that I highly recommend for all aviation enthusiasts. “Touching History” by Lynn Spencer tells the story of 9/11 from the point of view of the pilots and controllers who actually were involved in that fateful day.

While 300+ pages in length, the book reads really fast and keeps you engaged in the story from start to finish. It is clear that it was the heroics of several pilots and controllers that day that saved this country from further tragedy, rather than any coordinated response from the federal government. People really stepped up on that day, and would even go outside of the chain of command if needed to save lives.

You would think that the order to shut down the US airspace came from the highlest levels of the administration, and this is what the media and the 9/11 commission report want you to believe. However, it turns out that is was an individual in a lower level position that made the call that saved lives. They went outside of “protocol” and “the rules” and just went with their gut. I believe all of us could learn from this- sometimes you just have to throw the rules out the window and do what you think is right.

If you would like to purchase this excellent book, check out the link below:

Touching History: The Untold Story of the Drama That Unfolded in the Skies Over America on 9/11

It was announced recently that the Department of Homeland Security is intent on increasing the security of General Aviation based on an article from ABC News.  According to the article, all general aviation aircraft departing to or arriving from international destinations will need to submit manifest data on all passengers and crew 60 minutes prior to departure.  

If the DHS gets it’s way, this is the first of many “enhancements” that they will make to security for GA.  This is an issue that deserves our full attention as aviation enthusiasts as it could harm the industry and activity that we hold so dear.

Robert Mark from the Jetwine blog posed the following provoking question today in his post “Do VLJ’s Have A Future”:

“Would there be a Citation Mustang or a Phenom 100 if Eclipse had not pushed the button on the VLJ market first?…”

The answer to that question in my opinion is yes.  There have been more and more pilots lately that are getting into flying as a means of business transportation rather than for the fun of it from my own personal observation.  For an illustration of this, look at the most popular manufacturer of single engine pistons today: Cirrus Aircraft.  In a recent interview with Cirrus that I read they had stated that their general customer was buying the plane as a means of transportation.  I insuinated (maybe improperly) from the article that this meant these people had no real lifelong passion for aviation, they were just looking for the fastest means of transportation out there.  These pilots will spare no expense for speed, and the next logical step to get there at some point will be a jet.  I think that the Citation Mustang, Embraer Phenom and Cirrus Jet fit the bill quite nicely for these missions, and it is my belief they were built for this market vs. the original “air taxi” market that sparked the Eclipse.

As to the “air taxi” side of the VLJ equation, I really don’t personally see that much of a mass market for it.  Most business travelers that I talk to that are not as into aviation as I am freak out getting on your normal run of the mill CRJ much less anything smaller.

Yesterday, November 15, 2008 I had my first solo flight!  I flew out of Front Range Airport (KFTG) in Denver, Colorado in a 2004 Cessna C-172SP with the registration of N618VC.  This is my absolute favorite plane at the flight school so I made sure that it was available before scheduling my flight.  You can see a video of my experience by clicking here.

My wife and I showed up at the airport around 7AM to meet my instructor.  When I checked the weather the winds were 170 (south) at about 13 knots, which was a little higher than the club maximum for solo flight of 10 knots.  We made the decision to wait things out to see if the winds would subside.  In the meantime I was checking the weather like I had OCD- every 5 minutes or so.  My parents and grandpa showed up around 7:45, and I broke the news to them that I might not solo unless the winds cooperated.  Finally about 8AM the winds died down to 10 knots- It was game time!

We headed out to the hangar to pre-flight the aircraft, and as expected for a 2004 airplane everything checked out great.  I did my pre-start checklist and the airplane roared to life.  We pulled ATIS and the winds were now down to 8 knots, so I knew that this was really going to happen- that is as long as I could pull off some decent touch and goes with my instructor.

We received taxi instructions for runway 8 and started to taxi.  About halfway there the tower said “618VC I told you taxi to 26 via Alpha, do you want 8?” to which I replied “618VC, actually you told us to taxi to runway 8″.  There was no response- the controller knew that he had made a mistake and the next we heard from him was that we were cleared for takeoff.  I took off as normal and we requested an immediate transition to runway 17 for our touch and goes.  Our upwind for runway 8 became our base for runway 17, and I setup for approach.  I then went on to do 4 pretty decent touch and goes- after which my instructor requested a full stop.  This is finally happening!” I thought to myself. 

We taxied to the terminal and after a few words of encouragement my instructor endorsed my logbook and started to head towards the building!  Now the nerves really started to build as I completed my pre-start and pre-taxi checklist for the second time that day.  Right before I released my parking brake I looked over to see the empty right seat and pinched myself- This is really happening!  This is it!  This is what I have prepared for!

In my second request for taxi instructions I sounded really, really nervous but managed to get the words “First Solo” into my message to ground control.  From that point forward I could tell that the controllers took “extra care” of me, speaking their instructions a little slower than normal.  I did my run-up, and then pulled up to the line third in sequence for takeoff.  Good- a little time to collect my thoughts.  I actually remember saying “Oh Shit, this is for real!” while I was in line.  Finally, it was my turn and the tower said “618VC, position and hold on 26, traffic is on a two mile final” and then thirty seconds later “618VC, cleared for takeoff”.  The nerves immediately gave way to complete confidence as I firewalled the throttle and began my first solo takeoff roll and a perfect takeoff.  My first thought was “Holy crap this thing wants to climb- down trim!” and my second thought was “I did it!”.   Having requested another transition to 17 for my touch and goes (winds were 170 at 5), I turned south and climbed to pattern altitude.  At this point I was feeling really calm and at peace while at the same time being totally on top of my game.  It was a clear day so you could see the entire front range, including Pike’s Peak so I soaked in the scenery while climbing and looking for traffic. 

I was then given instructions to turn eastbound to follow I-70 to a left downwind for 17.  I announced my downwind and made my turn.  It was time to do the other necessary part of the flying equation- landing.  I set up for a short approach and really concentrated on my airspeed and the centerline.  I knew I had to make this look good- I had an audience to please!  I went on to perform one of my best touch and goes ever, and went around for my second.  On the second touch and go, the wind kicked up a little bit and caused me to land with a slight bounce.  Not great- but definitely not my worst and the plane was still intact.  I then setup for my final landing and flared a little too much too early.  Balloon time- I added just a hint of power without even thinking and settled in for another really smooth landing. 

I made the long taxi back to the hangar and my family and flight instructor were there waiting for me.  As I pulled in I gave them a big thumbs up.  It was at this point that I realized that I had done what so few have done- flew solo in an airplane!  I was now an official pilot!! 

The next step is to work on my cross countries- stay tuned for trip reports from those!