Reviews Archives - Page 2 of 3

Posted on August 15, 2013October 17, 2017 by Alicja

Disney’s Planes – a great aviation movie – Movie Review

A true pilot geek, I couldn’t resist an invitation to head out and see Disney’s new movie “Planes” last weekend. Though I am not a fan of animation movies, this one is a bit different – and will be appreciated by aviation enthusiasts and pilots young and old. It is a charmingly modest spin-off from Disney’s “Cars.”

The movie is a story of Dusty Crophopper, a tail dragger cropduster plane that has big dreams to fly in an international air race. Used to flying low and slow – which is what cropduster planes are built for, he has to learn advanced aerobatics and loose his fear of flying at high altitudes. He is from the fictional town of Propwash Junction and has never flown above 1000′. He is flying no higher than circuit altitude.

The character is based on the Air Tractor AT-301 cropduster, and also bears resemblance to the Cessna 188 and also the Polish-made PZL-Mielec M-18 Dromader. In order to train for this race, Dusty enlists the help of Skipper Riley, a Chance Vought F4U Corsair, a carrier-capable fighter aircraft.

Air Tractor AT-300 was inspiration for Dusty Crophopper character in the movie. Image from wikipedia.

Chance Vought F4U Corsair. Image from Airliners.net

The story is about never giving up on your dreams and helping those in need. Though this may sound cliche, keep in mind it is a kid’s movie, but and in fact, due to the great challenges of flying, not giving up on your aviation dreams is actually a common theme and important advice. What I’m more interested in is how technically accurate the flying scenes and aircraft detail are, which is no coincidence since a long list of aviation consultants were involved, including flight supervisor Jason McKinley, among many other experts, who helped make the flight sequence scenes look real.

The background story for the movie was an idea of executive producer John Lasseter, director Klay Hall and screenwriter Jeffrey Howard, through which the idea was born about some four and a half years ago. During the first rounds of production, they thought that the planes looked like toys and not real aircraft. It quickly became apparent that there had to be a strong focus on aviation realism.

Another expert consultant was flight and engineering specialist Sean Bautista. He oversaw that modifications to Dusty from a crop spraying plane to an air racer were realistic. Little things were kept in mind, in fact, he advised that they don’t supercharge Dusty’s engine because this isn’t possible with the Pratt & Whitney PT6. He also advised the model of wings that should be used to make him fly faster – Lockheed T-33. Impressive attention to detail!

The authenticity of an actual air race and air park are based on research as well. The producers made trips to Reno Air Races to get a feel for what racing is like, among many other places. The airplanes have a “pudgier” look to them to make them cuter and add character. As well, their canopies are higher so the eyes are visible. The only plane which is based soley on one type of aircraft is the hilarious Mexican Casanova El Chupacabra, based on a Bee Gee. The next authentic airplane is Skipper, based on the F4U Corsair.

Dusty is escorted by Bravo and Echo, based on F-18s used in Top Gun. Image from the Disney website.

One of my favorite recreations is the addition of Echo and Bravo, fighter jets based on F-18’s. These supposed to emulate Iceman and Goose in Top Gun! The jet fighters wear the same color helmets as the Top Gun characters, and Val Kilmer aka “Iceman” is behind the voice of Bravo, and Anthony Edwards, aka “Goose” is Echo.

I also noticed that great attention was paid to engine sounds. The sounds of the actual airplanes was recorded to match the respective planes they were inspired by. In addition to this, the movie was created in Disneytoon studios, which was a thriving and busy airport back in the early 1900s. The taxiways in the hallway no doubt served as a sort of subliminal inspiration.

The movie is a delight to watch and is a lot of fun in 3D. I was paying attention to the technical pilot stuff and probably missed a few other movie details, so I will catch it again when it comes out.

In the usual big movie studio style, Disney even made die-cast action figures, (planes) featuring all of the plane characters from the movie. Cute. Know any kids that are interested in aviation?

Have you seen the movie in theatres or are you waiting to get the DVD? Or both?

Posted on July 8, 2013July 9, 2013 by Alicja

Flying out of Springbank Airport

Approaching CYBW, right downwind 25 for final.

If you live in Calgary or the surrounding area and are thinking of getting your license, you have a few choices when it comes to flight schools. The closest airfield to Calgary where you can get your license is Calgary – Springbank (CYBW), about 30 minutes from downtown Calgary. There are currently four flight schools at CYBW.

The four schools are (1) Calgary Flying Club, (2) Springbank Air Training College (SATC), (3) Fly Right, and now (4) Springbank Aero. The biggest schools are my flight school: SATC, and Calgary Flying Club; they have the largest fleet of aircraft and the most instructors on staff. Fly Right and Springbank Aero are smaller.

Springbank Aero re-opened May 2013 at Springbank Airport. They are back in operation after briefly loosing their CFI (Chief Flight Instructor). They have hired a new CFI and are ready to accept students as of last May. This flight school has been in operation for over 15 years before the brief closure. They are located off of taxiway Charlie – so like the Calgary Flying Club, they are a shorter taxi to the runway. They have 3 Cessna 172’s for single engine training and their twin engine is the Piper Twin Comanche which has been recently refurbished.

The Calgary Flight Training Centre is also an option for those who live in the area, but they fly out of the Old-Didsbury Airport, which is further from Calgary (almost an hour north of downtown). The advantages are a smaller airport and far, far less busy airspace.

Big school or small school?

The advantage of going with a larger school are generally there are more resources available in terms of aircraft and instruction. Also, ongoing private and commercial ground schools are generally found at the larger schools. Smaller schools sometimes don’t run formal classroom teaching unless they have enough students – but the ground schools may be administered online. The benefits of a smaller school are a more personal experience and better availability of aircraft. A smaller school will have less students and won’t be as busy – so better odds that your instructor will have more time for you and your chances of booking an aircraft short notice are likely better.

The CFS entry for CYBW. Procedures are very overwhelming when you first start flying here.

Read some things you should consider when picking a flight school. Also, some things you should consider if you are deciding whether you want to learn how to fly or a laugh about why learning to fly is a bad idea.

Happy flying!

Posted on July 4, 2013March 19, 2018 by Alicja

David Clark H10-13.4 Headset Review

In the market for a headset? Consider the David Clark H10-13.4

A headset will be your first purchase as a pilot, and it is very important! Consider this set for it’s unbeatable value and comfort for the price.

This is one of the most popular and best selling mono headsets out there – and for good reason. If you are considering purchasing your first headset, chances are that many people have recommended the David Clark brand. It is one of the most popular headset brands, particularly for the first time purchase, but also good for commercial aviators. Some flight schools use them as their rental sets. There is a good reason for that – these headsets stand up well to heavy use and abuse and are very reliable.

Best in Comfort – Minimizing Fatigue

The H10-13.4 model is one of the most comfortable headsets out there, due to it’s very heavily padded contour head pad, and gel ear seals. This model is mono and features single volume control with low profile knobs, and are made in the USA. The stereo version of this headset will have a control knob for each ear.

The headset also features a reversible boom noise-cancelling microphone which is mounted for placement on either the right or left side. You can easily swing it from side to side depending if you want to the mic on your left or right. The advantage to this is that it will keep the cord away from going across your body and being in the way if your plug in is on the opposite side. For example if you are sitting in the right seat instead of left simply swing the mic around and the cord will be on your right side, minimizing clutter.

The head pad is large and comfortable. The ear seals are large and seal very well against the ears. They are covered with a glossy rubber that can get sweaty during flights in hot summer weather, but David Clark provides fabric ear pad covers at less than $10. The headset has a 5 foot straight cord and has dual plugs for fixed wing aircraft. More expensive headsets will have better soundproofing and lower weight, but keep in mind are 2 to 3 times more expensive.

Deluxe Gel ear seals provide excellent noise reduction. Image from David Clark website.

Great passive noise reduction for the price (around $300). Excellent headset, great clarity! Has good noise reduction. Even though it’s one of David Clark’s lightest headsets, it is a little on the heavy side when compared with premium sets – however keep in mind the price difference. You really do forget you are wearing it. Other headsets that are a little bit cheaper are simply too tight. Excellent durability and customer service from the manufacturer. The headset is very comfortable, provides an effective seal against noise, was not objectionably hot nor heavy during summertime, and allowed wearing sunglasses without any problems. The pillow top spreads the headset weight on your head so you won’t really notice it’s even on, which helps reduce fatigue especially on longer flights.

When you purchase the set, make sure you order a carrying case, and one might also order some extra ear cushions.

I’ve noticed that after about 3 months of use the mic cover has a tendency of separating. I recommend to “zip tie” the microphone cover and you will have no problems and will be very happy with the headset.

I am very satisfied with the level of noise reduction. This David Clark is comfortable, doesn’t pinch the head, and performs perfectly. Very high level of performance particularly for the price. Great value!

Features:

Super Soft, Double Foam Head Pad
New Comfort gel, undercut ear seals
Certified Noise Reduction Rating – 23 dB
Reduced headband force
Universal Flex Boom for perfect microphone placement
Exclusive M-7A, the most advanced noise-cancelling microphone available
Low-profile volume control knob with detent settings
Molded cord assembly made to exceptional pull and flex standards
FAA TSO Approved C57 Cat. B and C58a
Exceeds RTCA/DO-214 Standards
Weight (without cord assembly): 16.5 oz.
5 Year Warranty

Advantages:

More comfortable than headsets in this price range, and excellent fit
Excellent manufacturer’s 5 year warranty
Very durable

Disadvantages:

Even though it’s David Clark’s lightest set, it is a little on the heavy side
Not an Active Noise Reduction (ANR) headset

Technical Specifications (Provided by the Manufacturer on the David Clark Website):

Earphone Type:	Dynamic	Noise-Canceling Mic:	M-7A Amplified Electret
Earphone Impedance:	150 ohms(300 each; wired in parallel)	Mic Impedance:	50 ohms +/- 20%
Earphone Sensitivity:	90 dB SPL on flat plate coupler, re 1mW input @ 1KHz	Mic Sensitivity:	400mV RMS ±6dB into 150 ohm load @ 1kHz for 114dB SPL input
Earphone Frequency Response:	200-5,500 Hz	Mic Freq Response:	300Hz–3.5KHz per RTCA DO 214
Earphone Plug:	PJ-055 (.25″ phone plug)	Mic Plug:	PJ-068 (.206″ phone plug)
Boom Type:	Universal Flex	Cord:	5 ft.Straight
Headpad/Hardware:	Super-Soft, Double-Foam Headpad,Lightweight Hardware	Weight/Headset Only:	16.5 oz.

Where to Buy

Posted on June 7, 2013November 3, 2020 by Alicja

Cessna 150 for Sale

Update: This airplane has sold.

One of our facebook fans is selling his Cessna 150 K. Located at Boundary Bay, near Vancouver, B.C. Best of luck to Harry in selling this beautiful airplane.

The Cessna 150 is a two-seat, tricycle gear, general aviation airplane. It was the fourth most produced civilian aircraft. The first prototype flew in 1957, and succeeded by the 152 in 1977. Variants were produced hence the letter at the end of the model number (150 A, B, C and so on). This particular “K” model was produced starting 1970. This was the first time the 150 models were produced with some limited aerobatic capabilities, termed A150K. A total of 832 150K’s were produced.

The 150 is the most prolific and successful two seat trainer airplane in history. These airplanes have an excellent safety record and are easy to fly. They are fairly economical to buy (compared with 2 seaters with similar features) and economical to fly, burning about 5 gal/hour. The large number of them produced means they are economical to maintain as well, since parts are widely available.

Details on his particular model for sale are below.

CESSNA 150K – $24,000 – OR BEST OFFER

Total time airframe 8135 hrs. Engine half time.

Features:

MX 300 radio,Com1/Com2(Transceiver)
Bendix King Transponder
PM 200 stereo intercom
Twin Push-to-Talk
Vertical Card Compass
EGT and G-Meter
Post Lights, Strobes, Logo Lights, Pulse Lights
Four-way seat belt/shoulder harness,
Sunroof, Rosen Sun Visors, CD Player.

Aircraft located at Boundary Bay Aerodrome, in Delta, BC on the Pacific west coast. The airport, CZBB is very close to Vancouver, BC. Coincidentally, this is where I took one of my first training flights.

Posted on April 12, 2013April 17, 2013 by Alicja

Pilot stuff for girls – Review of Powder Puff Pilot Products

Even though there are a lot of girl pilots at my school, where I would say at least one quarter of students are women and there are lots of female flight instructors, aviation still is very male dominated. I was ready to buy a headset, which my instructor encouraged me to do so sooner rather than later. Buying a headset should be your first purchase as a pilot, and it is your most important purchase.

Flying with my pink ANR headset from Powder Puff Pilot.

Your ears are very important and you have to take steps to protect your hearing – small propeller driven planes are very loud and over time exposure to these loud noises can damage your hearing. As well, you need to be comfortable and not strain your hearing when talking to your instructor, ATC, or other pilots.

I found an ad for a store that sells pilot stuff for girls, and I was impressed by the uniqueness of the concept. When I saw a headset that was pink, and even though I’m a complete tomboy I liked the idea of having something “girly” in the male-dominated flying world. So I went for it. The headset is actually very good quality, which was my number one criteria. The fact that it was girly was an added bonus.

The headsets come with two options, either passive noise reduction (PNR) or active noise reduction (ANR). The PNR only reduces noise using the insulated gel cups while the ANR actually uses attenuation to actively reduce noise, and requires a battery. I chose the ANR model for maximum noise reduction.

I am very happy with the products I’ve purchased and whenever I have had an issue, they have excellent service and get back to me right away. They stand behind their products.

They also sell lots of other gear, such as flight bags, clothing, accessories, watches and they also have a seat cushion which is my absolute favorite item. I check back regularly to see if anything new is added. My seat cushion gets a lot of comments! It is bright pink, memory foam and very comfortable. It has two non-slip strips on one side so it doesn’t slide around in the airplane seat.

My current instructor (a guy!) teases me to no end about my girly pilot gear. Is some of the stuff is cheesy? Maybe. Cute? Definitely. Check them out, great gifts for female aviators, aspiring aviators, and young aviators.

These products are available for purchase in our store.

Posted on April 12, 2013November 22, 2013 by Alicja — 2 Comments

Headset Review – Powder Puff Pilot

My first purchase as a flight student was a headset. This is quite unarguably your most important purchase, and should be your first and done as soon as you start flying (and can afford it). Headsets can be purchased for as little as $100 and go up in price according to quality. The range is about $100 – over $1000. As you can see it is quite a huge price spread. This is an important first purchase – you need to protect your ears while flying and most flight schools offer rental headsets that just don’t fit right, are abused or neglected – and you need something good quality that is your own, so you can take care of it and will serve you well. They are your ears, so deciding how much to spend is really up to you. I suggest spending a bit more and getting something better quality and that fits properly.

When I started flying, I found an ad for “Powder Puff Pilot”, a company that makes pilot gear for girls, and purchased their noise attenuating (ANR) headset, and have been using it for years. This was my first headset, and my first purchase as a flight student.

Recently, I received the latest ANR headset from them and there have been some nice improvements. First, the headset is now MP3 compatible, meaning you can insert a headphone jack into the unit to either listen to music or talk on your phone while in flight! It is a neat feature and very convenient, and I can’t wait to try it on my cross country flight, where I might have a little more time than I do now, zooming in and out of the practice area or in the circuit.

ANR or PNR?

In the ANR model, a tiny microphone in the ear cup picks up noise around it, and this noise “sample” is converted into a mirror opposite of the sound – which is silence. ANR only affects certain low frequencies, so speech aircraft sound, engine sounds and changes are all easily detected. PNR models only block out noise using the physical clamping of headset on the wearer – squeezing tight to physically block out any noise. Because of this, they tend to be heavier and bulkier than ANR headsets.

The pink headset from Powder Puff Pilot comes in both ANR and PNR models. The ANR model comes with a battery pack that takes two AA batteries. When the batteries aren’t inserted (or die) the unit functions as a PNR headset. The ANR model is priced at $335 and the PNR at $210.

Highly recommend the headset. Along with the MP3 compatibility, the headset also has thick gel pads on the ears, meaning even without the battery there is good noise cancellation. The headset fits smaller than most and is good for women. The headsets come with a 1 year warranty. The warranty at Powder Puff is excellent and they stand behind their products.

Headsets are available for purchase from our store.

What is your favorite headset?