hkutcher 8 came from Cleveland. http://www.nasa.gov/centers/glenn/about/bios/ohio_astronauts.html

• November 14, 2011

fly911 No. That's it. 300+ days of sun. What more reason does one need?

• November 15, 2011

scottswanberg My school in California would not operate their helicopters in the rain. Period. I fly in borderline IFR conditions all the time here in the PNW. I am glad that my comfort zone has been pushed. It makes me a better pilot.

• November 15, 2011

donhillberg Gov Brown & his political hacks in Sacramento.

• November 15, 2011

hkutcher Well, Scott, if you want some bad weather, come on down to Cleveland. :-) We've got thunderstorms, lake effect snow, sleet, hail, freezing rain, ice so thick it forces runway closures, days so cold your nose hair turns to icicles. A laundry list of weathe...  moreWell, Scott, if you want some bad weather, come on down to Cleveland. :-) We've got thunderstorms, lake effect snow, sleet, hail, freezing rain, ice so thick it forces runway closures, days so cold your nose hair turns to icicles. A laundry list of weather phenoms that keep you on the ground. A little rain and light snow, on the other hand, won't harm a thing. It makes neat swirly patterns outside the bubble. Helpful for demonstrating airflow even.  

• November 15, 2011

hkutcher The Pacific Northwest has the fog though. Thick and low, goes well with the tall trees. Worst combo.

• November 15, 2011

mlanger Not operating in the rain is another example of a flight school doing its students a disservice. After all, rain happens. Why make students afraid of it? Just to spare the paint on the blades? Ooh, don't get me started on flight school failings...

• November 17, 2011

hkutcher In defense of flight schools, sometimes their intentions are good. Students just starting out are more sensitive to failure. Often flight instructors want lessons to be positive, so they'll try to avoid situations where students are more likely to fail an...  moreIn defense of flight schools, sometimes their intentions are good. Students just starting out are more sensitive to failure. Often flight instructors want lessons to be positive, so they'll try to avoid situations where students are more likely to fail and feel dejected (e.g., when students get tired, frustrated, or the weather gets more challenging). Rain and snow can freak some students out. Now, that's just for the beginners or especially self-critical students. Once you get close to a check ride, I think it's time for some light rain and snow (though nothing that threatens safety).  less

• November 17, 2011

scottswanberg Regarding fog in the PNW: some people call them "sucker" holes. I like to call them "opportunity" holes! Regarding flight schools pinching pennies: sometimes it's all they can do to stay afloat. Definitely a double edged sword.

• November 17, 2011

fly911 Excellent point Hanna.

• November 17, 2011

mlanger I don't think flight schools should coddle students -- especially once they've gotten their private ticket and are obviously on a career path. I was coddled as far as flying in wind and talking on the radio were concerned. All that did was develop two wea...  moreI don't think flight schools should coddle students -- especially once they've gotten their private ticket and are obviously on a career path. I was coddled as far as flying in wind and talking on the radio were concerned. All that did was develop two weaknesses in my flying skills -- weaknesses that I had to overcome on my own to move forward in my career. I think too many flight schools take the easiest path they can. Take the money, teach them enough to pass a check ride, and send them out into the world. That's wrong on so many levels.  less

• November 17, 2011

donhillberg Some manufacture of helicopters have a proplem with flight through rain, The Hughes 300 & 500 the rain can debond the leading edges and erode the paint on the main rotors, destroy some s/n tail rotor blades, The Bells have water intrusion on greesed parts...  moreSome manufacture of helicopters have a proplem with flight through rain, The Hughes 300 & 500 the rain can debond the leading edges and erode the paint on the main rotors, destroy some s/n tail rotor blades, The Bells have water intrusion on greesed parts like swash plates & grips and shafting, The corrosion will wreck high priced parts. The last time I greesed a Bell 212 the greese went in and a stream of water shot out across the hangar,  

• November 18, 2011