1 min read 
Click on image for full size.
The view: At AirVenture on July 27, 2018
The pilot: Unknown
The airplane: WWI fighter replica
The mission: Keeping up with friends on social media
The memory: I happened upon this scene during the afternoon airshow. Pretty sure this young lady had permission to sit in the aircraft, but she was obviously more interested in the digital realm than her immediate surroundings. At least she was at the event!
Want to share your “Friday Photo?” Send your photo and description (using the format above) to: [email protected]
An airplane aficionado since childhood, Dan is an 1800-hour Commercial pilot with SEL, MEL and Instrument ratings. He learned to fly in 1972. Dan graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1976 with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. He went on to work at the USAF Flight Dynamics Laboratory, Cessna, and Boeing before settling in at FlightSafety International in 1981. Today he is a Staff Scientist at the company’s Simulation Systems unit in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Dan is a specialist in the field of Flight Dynamics. In addition to presenting at several industry conferences over the years, Dan was a member of the International Committee for Aviation Training in Extended Envelopes (ICATEE) from 2010 – 2012. This was a unique opportunity to meet and interact with highly experienced pilots and engineers from all corners of the aviation community. Dan has logged time in some 36 types of light aircraft over the course of his flying career.
Latest posts by Dan Littmann (see all)
- Friday Photo: steam gauges or glass? - January 11, 2019
- Flying to watch SpaceX launch the Falcon Heavy - February 21, 2018
- Smoke on the water: a long, summer cross country - November 2, 2017
Steam gauge, I hate seeing that term used in reference to aircraft instruments. There’s no damn steam on any aircraft I know of except maybe an early DC-3. None the less, a cute picture of little girl sitting in what looks like Jenny.
Now I feel better…
I learned instrument flying in the back seat of Canadian Car and Foundry produced Harvard Mk IIs and IVs.
Much prefer the Dynon Skyview now gracing my RV… (;>0)
(Although, I couldn’t break completely with the past; the health of my engine is via round gauges…!) (;>0)
I’m pretty much a steam guy. After have flown all the steam and glass from a Lucsombe to a modern airliner with glass, I’ll take the steam with a few exceptions.
First, I need a GOOD IFR GPS-Map. That’s 50% of the work.
Second, I need a GOOD autopilot. That’s the other 50%.
The cost for maintaining glass for a GA plane is ridiculously high for the unit and the backups. And when the primary unit fails you don’t loose just one thing. With my GA glass stuff, it has failed several times more than the steam at a cost more that all the steam since the Wright Brothers. Aspen, Garmin, Sandel, Oracle, Avidyne….. all have MAJOR issues of reliability. I have NEVER had all my steam gauges fail at once, and most last over 20 years or more, so I’m staying with steam, plus my map and AP.
Besides, with glass, you need to read numbers. With steam, you look at needle positions. MUCH easier.
IFiphone. Note she was head down, and not S.A. I can’t say it’s an automation vs anything photo. Just one of a girl not in this world (mentally, anyhow).