Flight Forum

I could not believe it when I opened up AOPA Flight Training magazine and saw a picture of the Kon Tiki hotel in Phoenix ("Flying Carpet: The Way West," March 2008). My family and I went to Phoenix for a vacation in the summer of 1981, and we stayed briefly at the Kon Tiki. This trip was memorable as it was my first ride on an airplane (a United 727), but the Kon Tiki provided memories of its own as well.

My sister and I persuaded my parents to stay there because it looked cool and they had a sign advertising waterbeds (I was unaware until now of the sign that advertised them by the hour, yuck!). My parents I think knew better but caved in because we were so persistent. The room was horrible; we had to be moved twice due to problems with the air conditioning and the bed. My dad finally put his foot down after the second night and we moved to a Ramada Inn. Needless to say my sister and I lost all privileges for picking hotels.

Thank you for the trip down memory lane; I laughed out loud when I read the article.
Brian Brandfas
Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado

Required reading for students

Budd Davisson's article "The Nose Knows" (March 2008 AOPA Flight Training) was the best information I have read on basic speed control in the last 20 years. It should be required reading for every student pilot.
Len DeNardo
Fort Myers, Florida

When it's OK to say 'Mickey Mouse'

Radio communication is one of the most important skills to master today. Ian Blair Fries' article, "Just the Facts" (January 2008 AOPA Flight Training) was written in a way that gives the reader a true idea of how simple radio communication can be. Countless articles have been published on this subject, however none have illustrated this subject as clearly and professionally as Fries'.

That being said, there was one thing I found to be incorrect. In regards to tail number "acronym etiquette," the example he used may not have been the best. Fries stated that following the phonetic alphabet is expected when saying N numbers, such as "Mike-Mike," rather than "Mickey-Mouse."

The tail number N234MM was assigned to a Gulfstream I turboprop owned by Walt Disney. When making or receiving radio calls with air traffic control, the N number was read "November-Two-Three-Four-Mickey-Mouse."

Of course, this legendary aircraft is probably the only airplane that would merit such deviations from proper etiquette. I know this because both my father and grandfather were Disney company pilots of the airplane.

Like I said, I loved the article. I just wanted to point out that there was once a time and an airplane where a deviation from "Mike-Mike" was not only allowed, it was expected.
Miles Malone
Camarillo, California

N234MM--which has Mickey Mouse's face on the tail--is now kept at Disney-MGM Studios in Orlando, Florida.--Ed.

Mind your gross weight

I have a comment regarding the article, "Controlling Your Approach Path," by Budd Davisson (February 2008 AOPA Flight Training). The author's statement, "Any speed that is either over or under the recommended speed will result in a steeper glidepath," is not quite precise. The statement is true only if the airspeed is the maximum glide speed for the weight of the aircraft. Usually the recommended approach speed in the airplane flight manual or owners manual is a fixed number independent of weight. The maximum glide airspeed is usually given for the maximum gross weight.
Bill Sutcliffe
Livermore, California

Errata

In "The Weather Never Sleeps: Dangerous Lies" (February 2008 AOPA Flight Training), the sentence on p. 34 should read, "Flying in an area of lower atmospheric pressure means that if you don't change your altimeter to the correct setting, your true altitude will be lower than the indicated altitude." AOPA Flight Training regrets the error.

In "Instructor Report: Looking at Lift" (February 2008 AOPA Flight Training), the text to the left of the equal signs in Figure 1 and Figure 2 should read only "Lift," not "Lift Equation."

We appreciate your comments. Letters should be no more than 300 words and must include your name and address. E-mail letters to [email protected] or mail to AOPA Flight Training, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland 21701. Letters may be edited and will be printed as space permits.