Author Archives: skysmith

F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team

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F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team

For Immediate Release
February 26th, 2021

Lakeland, Florida: The 2021 SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo is excited to welcome home U.S. Air Force Major Joshua “Cabo” Gunderson as he joins an exclusive airshow lineup as the F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team pilot and commander.

F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team

Graduating from Bloomingdale High School in Valrico in 2004, Gunderson received an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy at age 17 and graduated in 2008. He dreamed of being in the seat of a fighter jet after seeing them perform at SUN ‘n FUN and other airshows he attended near his Central Florida hometown.

Gunderson is looking forward to the homecoming and said, “I am extremely excited about returning to my home state of Florida and flying at SUN ‘n FUN. I attended many SUN ‘n FUN events as a kid and loved seeing the military jets, so it’s an honor to pay that forward to future aviators.”

F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team
The F22 Raptor provides the USAF with a lethal combination of stealth, maneuverability, weaponry, and surveillance capabilities that make it unmatched by any other fighter, current or projected.

“We are very pleased to welcome Cabo and his team to Lakeland,” said Greg Gibson, Airshow Director and CMO for SUN ‘n FUN. “The Raptor is one of my personal favorites. The incredible maneuverability and its ability to demonstrate such agility and power while literally disappearing from the enemy in combat is truly amazing. I hope everyone will come join us to see what I mean when they see it perform in person!”

The F22 Raptor Demonstration Team is based at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Hampton, VA, and consists of 19 elite members that includes the pilot, safety officer, superintendent, team chief, multiple crew chiefs, avionics specialists, public affairs and aircrew flight equipment technicians. Together, the team visits local schools, hospitals, and participates
in various community events in addition to performing aerial demonstrations. The team is responsible for representing Air Combat Command, the United States Air Force, the Department of Defense, and the United States of America at more than 20 air shows annually.

Fans can see “Cabo” put the Raptor though its incredible demonstration profile April 16, 17, and 18 at SUN ‘n FUN, and he will perform in two presentations with the aircraft daily. First, he will give an incredible high-performance display of jaw-dropping speed, precision and maneuverability, followed by the patriotic Heritage Flight, where the Raptor will be joined by a vintage P-51 Mustang in a moving formation tribute flight to honor our nation’s aviation heroes from all eras. SUN n’ FUN is honored to welcome Maj. Gunderson home to celebrate the past, present, and future of aviation.

The SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo is April 13th-18th. Come join the excitement and watch in awe as Maj. Gunderson joins the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and dozens of other performers in daily airshows, as well as hundreds of aircraft displays and outdoor exhibits in this historic return of one of the Bay Area’s mainstays in family entertainment.

Piper Cherokee 140?

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Recent question about buying a Piper Cherokee 140.

Basically the question is, Should I buy a Piper Cherokee 140 or a Cessna 172?

“I just finished reading your book “How to Buy a Single-Engine Airplane”.  Man, it was great!  I am a private pilot with 400+ hours in a Cessna 150.  Five years ago, I sold it thinking that I would not fly enough to merit the expense.  Ever since, I have been like a caged animal looking for a hole to escape into the wild blue yonder!  With your beautiful little book, I found a hole in which to escape from my self-made prison and am now in a hunt for a Cessna 172 or Piper Cherokee 140.  I have $40K in a fruit jar to invest.  Now for the BIG question, what can I expect in terms of hours on the plane, year (age), etc.?  Please help me!”

Wow, thank you for the kind comments about the book!  Glad you are excited about getting another aircraft. You can actually consider a number of nice aircraft for the $40,000 range.  You won’t usually get new engines, new paint and a panel full of new flat panel displays, but you should be able to get a nice basic digital IFR, mid-time engine, good-looking aircraft.

It appears that you should be able to buy a Piper 140 for a little less than the Cessna 172.  I think that is because it is really a 2+2 aircraft, even more than the Cessna 172.  The original Piper 140 models came from the factory as two seat aircraft or two seats with a small jump seat in the baggage area.  The PA28-140 does not have a baggage door to access the area from the outside or the baggage space behind the rear seat like the Cessna 172 does.  Many people equate the Cherokee 140 to an enlarged Cessna 150 although I do not think that is really a fair comparison.

The Cherokee 140 can be a very economical traveling machine for two people with the ability to take a third (or possible a fourth if they are really small) for a ride.  Check out the aviation classifieds (Trade a Plane etc.) and you will be surprised at what is available.  Do not discount a high time airframe aircraft.  Take into account its use, condition and maintenance.

I went shopping and found a number of 1960’s era PA28-140’s priced right around $40,000.  A few were IFR equipped; most were 4,000 to 5,000 hour airframes and 1,200 to 1,500 hour engines.  The Lycoming 0-320’s have a 2,000 TBO and the average person flies less than 50 hours year, which gives you eight to 10 years of use before you need an overhaul.  The Cessna 172’s in that price range were 1956 to 1962 models.  Most of the 1965 and newer Cessna 172 aircraft were over $40K. There is an occasional later year, high time, run out engine for less money.  To find the later model Cessna (or Pipers for that matter) at the lower prices you have to monitor the ads and be ready to buy.  Late model and low prices sell quickly.

Piper Cherokee 140

 

Cessna 172

 

FAA Issues – Drone Rules

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Press Release – U.S. Department of Transportation Issues Two Much-Anticipated Drone Rules to Advance Safety and Innovation in the United States

For Immediate Release

December 28, 2020
Contact: pressoffice@faa.gov

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced final Drone Rules for Unmanned Aircraft (UA), commonly known as drones. The new rules will require Remote Identification (Remote ID) of drones and allow operators of small drones to fly over people and at night under certain conditions. These rules come at a time when drones represent the fastest-growing segment in the entire transportation sector – with currently over 1.7 million drone registrations and 203,000 FAA-certificated remote pilots.

Remote ID will help mitigate risks associated with expanded drone operations, such as flights over people and at night, and both rules support technological and operational innovation and advancements.

“These final rules carefully address safety, security and privacy concerns while advancing opportunities for innovation and utilization of drone technology,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao.

Remote ID (PDF) is a major step toward the full integration of drones into the national airspace system. Remote ID provides identification of drones in flight as well as the location of their control stations, providing crucial information to our national security agencies and law enforcement partners, and other officials charged with ensuring public safety. Airspace awareness reduces the risk of drone interference with other aircraft and people and property on the ground.

Equipping drones with Remote ID technology builds on previous steps taken by the FAA and the drone industry to integrate operations safely into the national airspace system. Part 107 of the federal aviation regulations currently prohibits covered drone operations over people and at night unless the operator obtains a waiver from the FAA. The new FAA regulations jointly provide increased flexibility to conduct certain small UAS without obtaining waiver.

“The new rules make way for the further integration of drones into our airspace by addressing safety and security concerns,” said FAA Administrator Steve Dickson. “They get us closer to the day when we will more routinely see drone operations such as the delivery of packages.”

The Remote ID rule (PDF) applies to all operators of drones that require FAA registration. There are three ways to comply with the operational requirements:

1. Operate a standard Remote ID drone that broadcasts identification and location information of the drone and control station;

2. Operate a drone with a Remote ID broadcast module (may be a separate device attached to the drone), which broadcasts identification, location, and take-off information; or

3. Operate a drone without Remote ID but at specific FAA-recognized identification areas.

The Operations Over People and at Night rule (PDF) applies to Part 107 operators. The ability to fly over people and moving vehicles varies depending on the level of risk a small drone operation presents to people on the ground. Operations are permitted based on four categories, which can be found in the executive summary (PDF) accompanying the rule. Additionally, this rule allows for operations at night under certain conditions.

The final rule requires that small drone operators have their remote pilot certificate and identification in their physical possession when operating, ready to present to authorities if needed. This rule also expands the class of authorities who may request these forms from a remote pilot. The final rule replaces the requirement to complete a recurrent test every 24 calendar months with the requirement to complete updated recurrent training that includes operating at night in identified subject areas.

Both rules will become effective 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. The Remote ID rule includes two compliance dates. Drone manufacturers will have 18 months to begin producing drones with Remote ID, with operators having an additional year to start using drones with Remote ID.

For general inquiries on these new regulations and other UAS inquiries, please call 844-FLY-MY-UA or email the FAA.