If there is any chance at all that you can go to Washington, make sure you include in your itinerary the Museum of Flight in Seattle. This is one place where you can talk and walk anything and everything about the history of flying.

Museum of Flight

The featured exhibits right now include the (1)Flight Simulators wherein you can grab the throttle and have the opportunity to try flying different aircrafts and spacecrafts; (2) The Berlin Airlift, a traveling exhibit that focuses on the heroic actions of some aviators who were able to transport food and supplies to Berlin; (3) World War I Fighters, a collection of combatant aircrafts; and last but not the least (4) the Memorial Bridge Memorial, a new aviation like structure, a bridge where you can walk and listen to the history aviation timeline in a great acoustic environment.

The Flight of Museum also has the wide array of aviation collectables such as aircrafts, airline logos, spacecrafts and a huge collection of interesting artifacts that will not only educate you on the who, what, where, when and why of aviation but it can also inspire budding aviators to pursue their aviation goals.

The museum is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm except for every first Thursday of the month where they close at 9 pm. Entrance fees are reasonable with $14.00 for adults, $7.50 for 5 to 17 yrs old and its free for 4 and under. You can get more detailed info at their site or call at 206.764.5720 and make arrangements.

To get a sneak peek on the Museum of Flight with Harrison Ford, click here.

Photo Credit: Museum of Flight

In the world of Championship Air Races, Bruce Bohannon is considered to be royalty as well as his “Flyin’ Tiger”.  They broke 30 world records in air racing.

The Exxon “Flyin’ Tiger” will no longer race as Bruce decided to put it into retirement as he himself will just be a mere spectator to future Air Races. Bruce Bohannon is extremely proud of his aircrafts. His first, “Pushy Galore” set the world record six times before it was donated to the EAA Air Venture Museum.

The second aircraft, Flyin’ Tiger broke 30 world records since Bruce started using it in 1999 but what makes the Flyin’ Tiger unique and extremely special is the fact that it is the fastest climbing aircraft in piston category from 20,000 up to 40,000 feet and up to this day it still holds the record.

People already expected it to be heading to the museum as it has broken too many air racing records but the owner still wants to enjoy the aircraft while he still can. Bruce and the Flyin’ Tiger will still continue to fly but only in leisurely pace as the owner said it is still is a great commuter plane and is still in a very good condition.

Bruce continues to teach aerobatics, tail dragger and aircraft engines failure recovery courses in his 93 acre “Flyin’ Tiger Field” airport in Texas.

Check Bruce Bohannon’s world record here.

Photo Credit: Aero

You still have time to get your friends who are so passionate about aviation cool holiday gifts without walking to the stores. You only need a few clicks on the Internet and have it delivered right to their doorstep or to their emails.

For budding aviators, check out the Microsoft Flight Simulator. Almost everyone knows how to use the computer and so for just around $50 you get a Microsoft Flight Simulator X Deluxe DVD.  This software can teach them the basics of flying.

Photo Credit: gamerscoreblog

However, those who are quite bored with the Flight Simulator, give them the ATC Simulator. This time you get to play the air traffic controller. This software is a little bit more expensive ($75) as you get to control the aircrafts. Check this site for more info.

Photo Credit: ATC3

There are still many gifts out there but this is so last minute and you want to make sure that it can be delivered in time for Christmas day, why not just send out greeting cards and give cool aviation site links that will blow them away. Start by giving them this blog link: hrjets.com. They will love this informative blog which tackles anything and everything about private aviation. Next, give this Live Airport Monitor link: passur.com. They would surely get a high looking at colored aircrafts coming in and out of airports. This is real live feed. However, if you want to hear the air traffic control live, check this link: atcmonitor.com

And of course, there is the aviation gift cards also known as gift certificates from US Wings and just let the recipients decide what to purchase.

Happy Holidays!

Pilots’ ultimate dream is to build a house with space allotted for their aircrafts and remarkably there are homes out there that are on sale which has that much-needed space for the private jets.

 
Photo Credit: Jay Dugger

Just like those car enthusiasts, owners practically spend most of their time staring or tweaking their prized possession. Some even want to live inside it or want it parked nearby. So it is without surprise that there is a market for people who are looking for this type of residences wherein there is a private hangar.

Check the following property listings for aviation properties I got from different websites:

#1 Aguila, AZ Aviation Home worth $1,200,000

Photo Credit: Superlatives

A Spanish-style house in a 2,677 sq ft area with a 3,500 sq. ft. runway and a 3,000 sq ft hangar. Click here for more details.
#2 Cedar Park, Texas Property worth $1,875,000

It is a house with six bedrooms built in an aviation community in 2007.  There is a hangar but not a private one, it is being shared by the whole community and the runway is just two blocks away from the house. Click here for more details.

Photo Credit: Unique Northwest Austin Prop 

#3 Lake Aero Estates Hangar-Home Property worth $429,500

Photo Credit: ChicagoHome

The house was built back in 2000 located in Lake Aero Estates and is near the Bears summer camp (if you are a football fanatic, this is major plus). The hangar is heated and has a room above it directly connected to the second floor of the house. It also has complete legal access to a runway. If you just want to rent the place, you only need to pay $2,300 a month.

One of the perks of flying via private jets is being able to travel in style and comfort while reaching different continents in their own sweet time.

Paramount Business Jets knows how to really take advantage of this luxury and offers this grand travel escape to any traveler who can afford to shell out $356,250 or for a group of no more than 16 persons for a price of $5.7 million.

Photo Credit: Cubbie_n_Vegas

This grand vacation would last one whole month, traveling to different continents and visiting the Seven Wonders of the World. A Boeing Business Jet will be used for the whole trip which can definitely provide comfort, security and space that you can’t really enjoy in a regular airliner no matter how big it is.

This lavish trip will start on January 26 next year in JFK airport and will end after a month. This is a first come first serve program so if you are interested to treat yourself with once-in-a-lifetime adventure; grab this opportunity right now.

By the way, all the transport details from airport to hotels will be taken cared of by Paramount Business Jets. All you need is to prepare your passport and the money.

Check out this site for more details regarding the trip and be a part of this ultimate fantasy world tour!

Photo Credit: Paramount Business

It’s ten days before Christmas and if you think that most of the recommended gifts for aviation enthusiasts I posted last Friday was too expensive for you to handle then just browse over some of the images I found in Google from the archives of Time Life.

These are timeless aviation imaged whoch captured bits and pieces of history that help shaped today’s aviation industry. You can have it printed and framed. They are classic, black and white nuggets of aviation history. Each photo can be the perfect gift even to those who are not into flying or aircrafts. A little bit of historyand art would not hurt anyone. In fact, they can enhance a living room, an office or even the bedroom. It can be a great conversation piece in any gathering in your home.

However, for those who got so much passion for aviation, they can be considered perfect, unique, classic gifts for this holiday season. If you have the money to spare then choose a better-looking frame to match the image or you can go online and order it from Time Life.

An image in a classic black wood frame would cost your around $79.99. It is a bit expensive than ordinary frames but Time Life would place some type of protection to preserve the image in a gallery-like state which could last a long time.

 Photo Credit: TimeLife

Are you quite tired looking for the perfect gift to give this holiday season? Choosing what to give to persons who love to fly their own aircrafts or those who are just starting to learn how to fly is quite easy but pretty expensive.

Photo Credit: *hoodrat*

No, do not worry, you need not buy an aircraft although if you have the budget then go or it. However, I browse over all possible gifts that most pilots would love to have.  Pilots can never have too much of aircraft accessories.  They love anything aviation-related.

Anywhere Map Travel Companion  
Holiday Price at $745.00 $695.00

HS 600 DANR by Beyer Dynamic 
Holiday Price: $749.00 + tax and shipping

A-2 Leather Jacket, Holiday Price: $310.00 , B-3 Vintage Sheepskin Bomber, Holiday Price: $680.00 , G-1 Leather Jacket, Holiday Price: $350.00   

However, if you want a more affordable gift, this book is a great alternative.

Death of a Falcon, Paperback

Holiday Price: $15.95

There are still so many gifts out there to choose from online and in-stores but these items are recommended by the AOPA, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Most members of this group are aviation experts so I believe you can never go wrong with them. Enjoy shopping!

Photo Credit: BeyerDynamic, ATC, ShopAlpha

Have you ever wonder how it is to fly an aircraft? Years ago before the birth of Flight Simulation software, you would not have any chance at all on how it is like to be on the helm of the cockpit unless you study to become a pilot. Today, with the continuing technological innovation, anyone can fly an aircraft using flight simulation programs from their own PC’s or personal computers.

Airbus A380

Photo Credit: skuds

I found two interesting video about a few Airbus aircrafts mostly used for commercial purposes from a flight simulation software. At first, I thought that it would the usual takeoff and landing of an aircraft but what makes it different was you can see details on how the aircraft works which you do not usually see since it is quite impossible to observe them from afar.

Airbus Collection (Video 1)

A340 500/600 (Video 2)

If you found these videos amazing, wait until you try flying via flight simulator software wherein anything is possible. You can fly all types of aircraft, civilian or military, commercial or private, huge or small; the choices are abundant as long as you have the PC, the software and off you go to whatever continent you want to fly into.

If you are asking how realistic they are? Well, of course, nothing beats the original but Flight Sims these days are pretty realistic and even real pilots can’t help but be impressed with how they work. 

Video Source: YT JustFlight

Skybike from the very word itself, means biking in the sky. This three wheeled vehicle was designed so it can be used on land and on air. Imagine driving from your garage go to the nearest airport and fly.  You are wondering why they still need an airport, well unfortunately, FAA do not allow pilots to fly directly from their own street.

Many have already tried so many times in the past in inventing this type of vehicle but sad to say, it still remains a dream. However, some innovators are persistent enough that they kept on trying to fulfill that dream.

Samson Motor Works unveiled the Skybike last summer in Oshkosh at the EAA AirVenture. It has a very sleek, sporty and sexy design, fit for any red carpet event. Builders of this vehicle promised that it can fly up at 140 miles per hour for around 200 miles and it can be driven at a speed of 95 miles per hour on the ground. They designed Skybike so that it can be used in different countries having doors on both sides of the vehicle.

When Samson Motor Works were asked when it would be available to the market? They said that the Skybike kit will be ready by the last quarter of 2009 while ground versions most like be in 2010.

While others may have dismissed them as plain lunacy or just unattainable goals, the Wright Brothers also have received the very same criticisms in the past so the possibility is really there.

Let us all wait and see who will be able to do it.

Photo Credit: Samson

Most of the light sport aircrafts that are in the market right now are comparably smaller to this new LSA that is slated to be released and delivered to their future owners late next year, The EcoFlyer from Exploreraero.  It has a big cabin space of about 152 cubic feet.  Did it spark your interest?

Yes, you read it right; 152 cubic feet. This 2-seater is quite big for the usual LSA’s you see around.  To those who felt restricted with the limited space, the EcoFlyer is your new best friend.  With that space, this LSA can be your very own fly motor home.  Just imagine the things you can do with the cabin space.  Bring gadgets or gears you never thought you can bring over using your LSA.

One of the advantages of the EcoFlyer is that there is a built-in bed for two persons so you need not fret in leaving your aircraft just to a take nap. It also has adjustable chairs or movable backrest wherein you can arrange it to make the cabin your dining area.

The EcoFlyer just made flying a light sport aircraft more convenient and the good thing is it is only for $100,000.

If you are interested to purchase one, click here to download a PDF copy of the ‘letter of interest’ from the Exploreraero, the makers of EcoFlyer.

Other LSAs in the market:

 Photo Credit: Exploreraero, AMD, Cessna, Flight Design