Letters

So, you want to go fast and far on a budget “Speed on a Budget” (December 2021 AOPA Pilot)? Then there is no way around considering one of the Rutan canards.

How about 165 KTAS on less than 6 gph? You will need a seriously economical car to beat that fuel economy and then for more than six hours.

Not only can you get in well under budget, but you will also typically find a multitude of good reasons to spend time in the hangar for some real plane bonding.

Jay Skovbjerg / AOPA 1377117
Napa, California

Let us never forget the budget-minded and beautifully elegant Bellanca Super Viking when you are talking about “Speed on a Budget.” My 1972 example with the ever-reliable Lycoming IO-540-K1E5 series consistently purrs at 160 KTAS at 8,500 feet.

I have been her lucky owner for nearly 20 years and fillies of her type and age are easily acquired for under $60,000! There were close to 900 of the type built and they are an absolute pleasure to fly. I could fill several pages of your magazine with the desirable attributes of the Super Vike, but I’ll leave you with her iconic motto emblazoned on the yokes of Bellancas during the 1960s and ’70s: “At Home in the Air.”

Now update your article and include these fine steeds. 

Thanks Ian J. Twombly, for all you do for AOPA!

Jeff L Detwiler / AOPA 1391451
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Traveling light

I have never responded to a magazine article before, but “Traveling Light: The Art of Minimal Cross-Country Packing” by William E. Dubois (December 2021 AOPA Pilot) struck a nerve.

As the past owner of an Ercoupe, I fully realize the importance of lack of cargo space and the weight penalty of “stuff.” However, on the other hand as a former director of safety for my state’s Civil Air Patrol Wing, I am intimately aware of having survival equipment in the event of an off-airfield landing.

When I was young, I had to spend the night in a far West Texas pasture with little survival gear. The temperatures were hot, with the afternoon high over 100 degrees Fahrenheit and overnight temperatures forecast to be in the 80s. But about midnight a brisk wind picked up and by dawn I was an iceberg. A 20- to 30-mph wind all night is not comfortable.

Don’t sacrifice survival gear for an extra gallon or two of fuel. Even in summer pack a lightweight bag or large trash bag to use for sleeping. Sturdy boots and spare socks, if you have to hike to a hilltop. Have a small tent. And most important, fire-starting material; you can always burn a cow patty or two.

John H. Dorie / AOPA 05842763
Dallas, Texas

Just wanted to reach out and say thank you for your active coverage of public benefit flying. I saw Flights for Life was just featured in AOPA Live—incredible piece! Also noticed a great article on Turtles Fly Too recently (“‘Turtle Fliers’ Needed,” October 7, 2021, aopa.org). It is so wonderful to see a spotlight on these opportunities for pilots to give back with flight. Keep up the good work! —Kristinia Luke / Executive director, Air Care Alliance, AOPA 6697221, Pottstown, PennsylvaniaBloodline

I just happened to get the mail today and began thumbing through the AOPA Pilot magazine for December. Wow! I saw Julie Summers Walker’s article, “Bloodline.” I work for Vitalant and was thrilled to read the story.

Since moving to Arizona in 2017, we have often recruited other pilots to join the mission and “turn gasoline into noise for a good reason.” We know the value of this time saving and lifesaving mission. My husband Bob was on the board (and chairman) with Lifeline Pilots from Peoria, Illinois, doing medial missions for people so this effort is near and dear to us. And as noted, “the box never complains.” Thank you for sharing our Vitalant story with other aviators.

Pamela Benda / AOPA 653330
Scottsdale, Arizona

Then and now

As a fellow antique, I got a kick out of Chip Wright’s column, “Briefing: Then and Now,” in the December 2021 issue of AOPA Pilot.

I just celebrated 35 years a certificated pilot and can relate to every “old school” thing he mentioned. Heck, forget about how headsets have changed over the years, I spent years flying airplanes where headsets weren’t even an option!

I recently went back to school to earn my A&P mechanic ratings. Ten years older than my instructor and 30 years older than most of my classmates, I actually had to explain why the knowledge exam is called a “written.” Who would have thought that we used to be given a big book with every FAA question, had to find the 100 or so questions we were asked to answer, and then filled in little circles on a “bubble sheet.” I think they were impressed that I didn’t have to chisel my answers on a big stone tablet.

Tom Anderson / AOPA 897814
Mustang, Oklahoma

Test Pilot

I was a bit amused by the “Test Pilot” question in the December 2021 issue of AOPA Pilot regarding GPS & the SR–71.

Consider that the first experimental GPS satellite was launched in 1978—and know that a single satellite does not get you GPS positioning. It wasn’t until 1985 that 10 experimental GPS satellites were in orbit. The full constellation of 24 satellites became operational in 1993.

Contrast that to the SR–71, introduced in 1966 (the predecessor A–12 about three years earlier) and was originally retired in 1988 (and reactivated for a few years in the 1990s).

The SR–71 wasn’t equipped with GPS because GPS didn’t exist at the time. Perhaps the same reason the Wright Flyer wasn’t so equipped. The SR–71 retired before GPS became operational. In any event, it would have been interesting to develop a GPS antenna capable of surviving the high skin temperatures of the SR–71.

Dennis Wilcox / AOPA 814925
Puyallup, Washington

A waste? Not at all

Thank you to the leadership and staff at AOPA. Without you, I feel our freedom to fly as we do in the United States would be diminished. I agree with Thomas B. Haines in “Waypoints: A Waste? Not At All” (December AOPA Pilot). I am a CFI with Coeur d’Alene Seaplanes in north Idaho. We train 35 to 40 pilots every summer for a single-engine seaplane rating or advanced seaplane training. Our pilots come with a variety of experience from low-time private pilots to high-time military or airline pilots. At least 90 percent walked away from the training suggesting they gained a higher level of proficiency in aircraft control and precision with the seaplane rating. A similar increase in aircraft control and precision comes with a tailwheel endorsement. FAA statistics identified “loss of control” as the number one reason for GA accidents. A number of scenarios result in loss of control, but I suspect a lack of proficiency and currency would be the main contributing factor. I encourage pilots to take the leap and get a new rating or endorsement.

On another note, AOPA President Mark Baker mentioned AOPA’s efforts to encourage online transparency for FBO fees (“President’s Position: Unusual Attitudes”). In mid-November I ferried a Cessna 182 from California to Virginia with the new owner. The first of three overnight stops was at Minden Airport (MEV) in Nevada. According to ForeFlight, the FBO at Minden only reported late-night call-out fees, but no other fees were reported. Due to below freezing overnight temperatures, we elected to hangar the airplane. The overnight hangar fee was $100. We inquired if they had a courtesy car. The FBO staff said, no courtesy car, but we have a rental car for $100 per day. We quietly complained and paid the fees. The third overnight stay was at Jacksonville Airport (IJX) in Illinois. Again freezing temperatures and frost would have delayed an early departure, so we elected to hangar the airplane. The fee was $30 for the night in a heated hangar. They also had a late model courtesy car—for free. Cheers to those FBOs across the country that provide great service at a reasonable fee.

Bob Del Valle / AOPA 01046029
Priest River, Idaho

We welcome your comments! Send letters to Editor, AOPA Pilot, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland 21701 or [email protected]. Letters may be edited for length and style.