A New Role For Civil Air Patrol?

via Aero-News

It's about damn time.

Now, before any of you "stuck-wingers" start ragging me for hating on the CAP, let me first note that I am excited about the prospect of the CAP actually having a real purpose. Honestly, it's been my experience that the CAP is a joke--teenage boys (and girls) of the dork variety hanging out at the airport on a Monday night dressing up in Air Force uniforms and masquerading as someone far more important than they actually are. It's just like the State Defense force--civilians playing soldier on the weekend without actually going through the hard work and training it takes to earn the uniform.

Stop me if I'm wrong.

Regardless, I want to see more activation like this among the auxiliaries. Honestly, I don't see why this didn't happen sooner, but I do see it as a step toward the all-welcome, all-voluntary service that I wish to see our military adopt (a la Starship Troopers). There are hundreds (if not thousands) of able-bodied men and women in this country itching at the chance to serve in some realistic capacity simply being turned-away by the military. The CAP needs to become more of an all-volunteer martial arm of the Air National Guard to assist in operations and relief duties at home while the Air Force can concentrate on missions abroad much in the way that the Coast Guard Auxiliary has evolved to provide operational support inland while the Guard concentrates on its primary mission on the open sea.

“The passage of Congressman Dent's Civil Air Patrol Homeland Security bill in the House today marks a major step forward in ensuring that Civil Air Patrol's emergency capabilities are fully utilized by all Federal agencies...With 550 aircraft, thousands of trained and experienced aircrew, and a nationwide communications system CAP can be a valuable component of our national defense.”
--Maj. Gen, Amy Courter, CAP National Commander

Helicopter vs. Airplane Midair Injures Two

via Aero-News

Best I can determine, from the limited information, is that either the T-6 didn't clear his flight path before taking off or the R-22 crossed the departure end despite the radio call. The T-6 may have not even made a call. I've had an encounter from a similar situation with a Flightstar that didn't announce its intentions and took off CBDR into my approach path!

For note, that wasn't the only encounter that I--or anyone else--had with that particular Flightstar at that particular airport.

Takin' Care of Business

So, today has pretty-well been a day of setting the world right-side-up as 2008 has gone. My biggest issue at this point is getting back in school. This is the last weekend of winter break, and, as such, I'll be leaving all the comforts of civilisation to return to Cochran and "real life" early next week. The situation has been rather complicated as there were some miscommunications that caused my flight account to be over-drafted $739. Registration has been held pending the payment of the past-due amount, and that has caused its own set of headaches. Well, the money is in-hand, and, according to reliable sources, my pre-registration schedule still stands. Lesson to any college students: make friends with an advisor in your department. All that remains is to pay it forward and show up to class on Wednesday. More to come as I make the transition back down--right now, it's all part of the waiting game.

ANZ says biofuel test flight a success

via Flightglobal.com

It seems that progress is being made in the area of alternative aviation fuels. With any luck, innovations like this jatropha fuel will help to reduce fixed costs and the world's reliance on a handful of unstable nations for their transportation necessities. Of course, with reduced costs to the operators, customers will also be able to afford more travel and transported goods will become cheaper as well, thus providing a true economic stimulus. Trickle-down works, people, and it's driven by technology. I wonder what the helicopter market is like in New Zealand....

The Quest for the 300-m.p.h. Helicopter

via Wired

A sneak-peek at the experimental X-49 Speedhawk designed by the late Frank Piasecki along with links to other record-pushing helis. No, the V-22 Osprey (read: "Flying Death Trap") doesn't count.

2008 A Year In Review - Top 10 Videos

via Flightglobal.com

Great videos recapping the best and worst of aviation in 2008. Nice, soft news to open a blog with. Personally, I can't wait to see rocket racing become a reality!

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to my brand-spanking-new blarg where I will provide my views on topics concerning my life in aviation, helicopters, college and training, and the aviation industry in general. This (along with the associated Linked-In site) will be my professional presence on the Web, and I invite comments and questions from other professionals, students, or any other interested parties.