Jim Fallows' Aviation blogs

Clash of the Titans: Holy Father vs TSA

James Fallows — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 21:58:11 GMT

Maybe this is widely known, but I hadn't heard until recently that Benedict XVI had joined the ranks of critics of the TSA: Details here . Now perhaps I can dare hope for an Encyclical about the inanity of the repetitive "current threat level...(read more)

Bad week in small-plane news

James Fallows — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 03:34:17 GMT

A crash in East Palo Alto two days ago after an early morning take-off apparently in fog, killing three employees of the Tesla electric-car company; the notorious suicide/murder/terror crash in Austin yesterday; a landing in the wee hours this morning...(read more)

Buzzard Strike (updated)

James Fallows — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 04:30:36 GMT

This is the most bizarre aviation video I have seen in a long time. It was shot in Miami just before the Superbowl, and it shows the results of a bird strike in a helicopter. Bird strikes are unpleasant for all involved, starting with the bird. Small...(read more)

More on frolics and other language points

James Fallows — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 04:34:20 GMT

I mentioned recently the odd use of the term "frolic" in the FAA's complaint about the pilots who "forgot" to land in Minneapolis, and also my friend Cullen Murphy's exercise in writing an entire article in "E-Prime,"...(read more)

If you've been wondering about NW flight 188

James Fallows — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 22:52:42 GMT

That's the one that "missed" Minneapolis, overshot by 150 miles or so, then did a U-turn over Wisconsin before returning for a safe landing. Afterwards the two pilots said they had been "distracted" by a discussion about new scheduling...(read more)

Another gift possibility

James Fallows — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 20:49:39 GMT

In the Atlantic's special on-line "Editors' Choice" gift guide , I aim very high with my own wish-list item, on the principle of "if you don't ask, you'll never know." But in case you're not quite motivated to get...(read more)

Gift thoughts for the holidays

James Fallows — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:38:23 GMT

I am a fan of nearly every kind of small aircraft, but I might draw the line here: It's a personal helicopter, really two rotors on a hat. Action video here , from Makezine (thanks to Dave Proffer). As it happens, one of my upcoming New Year's...(read more)

Airspace over the Hudson

James Fallows — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 04:03:16 GMT

One more thing to be thankful for: a sensible response to the tragic airplane-helicopter crash over the Hudson River in August. As of this week the FAA has applied new traffic-separation rules for small airplanes, airliners, and helicopters flying above...(read more)

More on the undercover TSA officers

James Fallows — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:26:35 GMT

Two days ago I mentioned the delightful story about the TSA's plan to place "behavior detection officers," or BDOs, in airports and to disguise them in ... TSA uniforms. Herewith several relevant responses. 1) About the plan's underlying...(read more)

What has happened to the F-35?

James Fallows — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:32:46 GMT

Seven years ago I wrote in the magazine about the genesis of the F-35 fighter plane, known back then as the Joint Strike Fighter or JSF. (" Uncle Sam Builds an Airplane ," June, 2002.) At the time, the JSF was supposed to be the solution to...(read more)

In defense of the TSA

James Fallows — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:25:54 GMT

On the "man bites dog" front, and in the spirit of fairness, here are two items on behalf of the TSA. Or at least in opposition to some lines of criticism (like this recent one from me). First: I can't believe that I've learned only...(read more)

Unemployment and airplane crashes

James Fallows — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:05:00 GMT

A man in Florida sends what may be the ideal example of reader mail, combining as it does aerodynamic theory, politics, economics, and presidential rhetoric. If only there were a China- or beer-related angle... Seriously, his critique of how the Obama...(read more)

Ongoing TSA / Security Theater watch

James Fallows — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:38:42 GMT

The monthly "Airport Policy News" reports by Robert Poole, of the Reason Foundation, are a steady source of nuggets about economic, technological, and political developments in the aviation world. I would send a link to the latest report I'm...(read more)

The Prius of the sky

James Fallows — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:28:14 GMT

A contest for fuel-efficient small airplanes has a winner: a modified VariEze that gets 45 mpg at over 200 MPH with two people aboard, and nearly 100 mpg at a lower "maximum range" speed. Details from Wired here , Tree Hugger here , and the...(read more)

More on the Minneapolis "overflight"

James Fallows — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:06:35 GMT

According to numerous accounts in the last hour -- AP here , Reuters here , WSJ here -- the current story from the Northwest flight crew that forgot to land in Minneapolis is that they were so absorbed in using laptops in the cockpit that they neglected...(read more)