Air Facts Staff, Author at Air Facts Journal

History September 10, 2019 September 10, 2019

From the archives: Wolfgang Langewiesche on airports in every town

This inspiring article, first published in the October 1956 edition of Air Facts, reflects the big dreams of the mid-1950s and perhaps the missed opportunities for general aviation. Legendary writer Wolfgang Langewiesche argued for a nationwide network of landing strips (not airports, just a place to land), to be created as a part of the Interstate Highway System that was born with the passage of the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956.

Debate August 27, 2019 August 30, 2019

Reader question: what do non-pilots ask when they learn you fly?

When meeting someone for the first time, talk often turn to hobbies or professions – the dreaded, “what do you do?” question. For most of us that means flying and a long conversation about airplanes, weather, safety, and so much more. So this month’s question asks: when you tell someone you’re a pilot, what question do you know is coming next?

Debate July 16, 2019 July 16, 2019

Reader question: what is the best and worst airport you’ve visited?

What makes for a good airport? Is it the scenic location, the friendly tower controller, the low fuel prices, or the memorable courtesy car? Or does it have more to do with the memories at the airport and the flights that started or ended there? In this month’s reader question, we want to know the best (and worst) airport you’ve ever flown into.

Debate June 18, 2019 June 18, 2019

Reader question: how do you know you’re an aviation nerd?

Many pilots will freely admit to being aviation nerds, avgeeks, or flying nuts. Whatever phrase you use to describe the affliction, we want to know the defining characteristic. Is it the number of airplane models you own? The bookshelf full of POHs? The flight training debt you work to pay off?

Debate May 14, 2019 May 14, 2019

Reader question: have you ever met a celebrity through aviation?

General aviation attracts all kinds of people, from teenagers learning to fly to Hollywood stars traveling by private jet. For many everyday GA pilots, that means it’s not uncommon to cross paths with a celebrity at the airport. For this month’s reader question, we want to know whether you’ve ever met a famous person through aviation.

Dick's blog April 30, 2019 April 30, 2019

Richard Collins’s 10 most popular articles on Air Facts

This week marks the one year anniversary of Richard L. Collins’s death, and we are remembering the legendary writer by reviewing 10 of his most popular articles. Over the years, Collins tackled a huge variety of topics, from weather flying tips to personal stories, but none were as popular as his detailed reviews of airplane safety records. As you can see below, some were good, some were bad, but almost all elicited strong opinions.

Technique April 23, 2019 April 23, 2019

From the archives: Wolfgang Langewiesche on mountain flying

Wolfgang Langewiesche is famous for writing the bible on flying, Stick and Rudder. He was also a friend of Air Facts founder Leighton Collins and a frequent contributor for the magazine. In this detailed article from 50 years ago, Langewiesche offers some timeless tips for flying in the mountains.

Debate April 2, 2019 April 2, 2019

Reader question: have you ever experienced aviation nirvana?

This month’s reader question asks whether you’ve ever experienced something special in the air – what we are calling aviation nirvana. We don’t mean just a flight well flown or a fun trip, but a truly perfect aviation moment. Was it the airplane that made it special, or the people? Did it even involve flying?

Debate March 5, 2019 March 5, 2019

Reader question: what pilot, past or present, would you most like to fly right seat with?

When you fly with another pilot, you learn a lot about who they are and how they approach life. That has us wondering: if you could fly with any pilot – living or dead – who would you choose? Charles Lindbergh? Beryl Markham? Chuck Yeager? Someone more obscure – maybe a family member?

History February 19, 2019 February 19, 2019

From the archives: Wolfgang Langewiesche on quiet airplanes

In this prescient article from 50 years ago, legendary pilot and writer Wolfgang Langewiesche considered the role of general aviation airports in a world of ever-expanding suburban communities. He saw the need for a quieter breed of airplanes in order to prevent a public backlash. Now, with electric airplanes tentatively finding a foothold, this article seems as relevant as ever.

Debate February 5, 2019 February 5, 2019

Reader question: what is your aviation nightmare?

This reader question was prompted by the comments on a recent Air Facts article. As one said, “The intense, and deeply disturbing, nightmares you experienced regarding wire encounters are not uncommon among pilots.” So we want to know – have you had any aviation nightmares or anxieties? Is it the same issue every time?

Debate December 27, 2018 December 27, 2018

Reader question: what’s your 2019 flying resolution?

2019 is just around the corner, and many pilots take the time to make a flying resolution for the new year. We’d like to hear from you – what’s your aviation goal for 2019? Do you want to fly more, add a rating, get current, check out in a new airplane, or maybe fly to Oshkosh? Add your comment below – and be sure to tell us how you plan to keep yourself honest.

Remembering Richard Collins November 6, 2018 March 1, 2019

The Richard Collins Writing Prize for Young Pilots

The Richard Collins family has partnered with Sporty’s to offer The Richard Collins Writing Prize for Young Pilots. To qualify, the writer must be a pilot (including student pilot) who is 24 years of age or younger. The article must be original, not previously published, and no longer than 1,500 words. The topic may reflect any aspect of general aviation flying.

Debate July 12, 2018 July 12, 2018

Reader question: when did you know you had the aviation bug?

When asked about how they originally got interested in aviation, many pilots talk about a specific moment when “the aviation bug” bit. It might have been a first airplane ride, a trip on an airliner, or a visit to an airshow, but the result was the same – a lifelong passion for airplanes took hold. We want to know what that lightbulb moment was for you.

Caption Contest April 24, 2018 May 15, 2018

Caption Contest #10

Welcome to our latest Caption Contest at Air Facts, where we post a photo and call on our very talented readers to provide a caption for that photo. Check out our most recent one below and if an amusing or clever caption comes to mind, just post it as a comment. In two weeks, we’ll cut off this contest and the staff of Air Facts will choose their favorite caption.

History March 5, 2018 March 5, 2018

From the archives: Flying W Ranch

In this trip through the Air Facts archives, we stop in June, 1963, where Richard Collins reported on a new airport just east of Philadelphia with a unique community atmosphere. The airport is still around, but the idea never caught on. Why not?

History October 18, 2017 October 18, 2017

From the archives: Leighton Collins flies a Lear 24

In this trip into the Air Facts archives, ride along with Leighton Collins as he gets a familiarization flight in a Lear Jet 24 in 1967. With a variety of small jets hitting the market in recent years, from the Cirrus Jet to the Eclipse, many of Collins’s reactions to flying a powerful jet 50 years ago might sound familiar. Collins concludes, “they’ve really got themselves a show horse in the Model 24.”

History March 16, 2017 March 20, 2017

2017 Air Facts reader survey

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Debate August 24, 2015 August 24, 2015

Business or pleasure – does one attract more pilots than the other?

Some pilots fly for the fun of it, to get out and see the world and forget about daily life. Others fly for the utility it provides, allowing them to travel efficiently in support of their business or family commitments. Is one more important than the other? Join our latest debate.