Arizona’s Painted Desert – 6 Great Reasons to Visit
March 13, 2010
Ever since I first set eyes on the Painted Desert in northern central Arizona I was immediately captivated by it’s unique rugged beauty. Covering 7,500 square miles starting from the Grand Canyon and spreading itself 150 miles in a south easterly direction, it’s width varying between 15 and 50 miles. Many mesas and buttes contour this sparse and arid land, with the multi layered Chinle formation displaying many different colours, sunrise and sunset have to be seen to be believed. These wonderful badlands are home to special places and fascinating people that will make your visit here a memorable one.
Petrified Forest National Park is situated at the very southern reaches, and features a 27 mile drive that can be taken at your leisure with many vantage points where petrified conifer trees from the Triassic period can be inspected up close. Some of the stop offs have paved trails that you can stroll at your own pace, while others like the Blue Mesa and Jasper Forest can only be seen from the viewpoints due to the delicate nature of the soil.
A house made entirely from petrified wood and some world famous petroglyphs are just two of the many interesting, and educational features of this beautiful park.
Drive the north and south rims of Canyon de Chelly by car, stopping off and walking down a trail to the white house ruins, this is free but can be tiring depending on your level of fitness. Here you will be greeted by the sight of a fabulous cliff dwelling built by the Anasazi and set into the sandstone sheer canyon wall. Access to the floor of the canyon is only permitted if you take a tour with a Navajo guide, this you will have to purchase but I guarantee the views will be breathtaking.
Just 35 miles east of Flagstaff is Meteor Crater, a visually stunning impact crater that was caused by a meteorite penetrating the earth’s atmosphere and slamming into the Arizona rock some 50,000 years ago. Used by Nasa to train the Apollo astronauts for the moon landings, this will get your camera clicking.
A short 12 mile drive north of Flagstaff will give you access to a loop road to Sunset Crater, this 1000 feet high volcano last erupted nearly 800 years ago and gets it’s name from the bright red cinder cone at it’s summit. By paying one entrance fee you also gain access to Wupatki National Monument, where well preserved ancient multi storey pueblos can be viewed at leisure.
The vast majority of the Painted Desert is the homeland of the Navajo Indians, whose tribal capital is Window Rock just south of Canyon de Chelly. A very informative museum in the capital will enlighten you of the Navajo past and lodgings are also available here. The Navajo farm and work the canyon floor, and if you do decide to take the tour, you can witness first hand the making of a Navajo rug and the interior of a hogan. Some of the most picturesque parts of these Arizona badlands are on Navajo soil.
Living atop 3 spectacular mesas, the Hopi Indian reservation is completely encircled by Navajo land. The Hopi are well known for their wicker basketry and pottery, but it is their very skilful work with sterling silver jewelry that makes them world famous. To be amongst the Hopi is indeed an experience, be sure to learn about the kachina dolls while you are there.
Well there you have it, six very good reasons to visit the Painted Desert, or El Desierto Pintado as the spanish named it.
Closely-Guarded Pennsylvania Catfish Fishing Secrets
March 13, 2010
While the state may not be the first destination that comes to mind for a successful excursion to the lake with your rod and reel, Pennsylvania catfish fishing is actually quite fulfilling in many area lakes and rivers.
Flatheads, bullheads, and channel cats can be found in abundance, and a trip to the nearest fishing hole can be a great family outing. Especially in recent years, with flatheads having appeared in the local waters from their native homes in the Ohio River and Lake Erie drainages in the western part of the state, Pennsylvania catfish fishing has grown in popularity.
In the middle Allegheny River, between Tionesta in the north and East Brady in the south, you’ll find a number of great flatheads and channel cats. This is due mostly to the location of a large warm-water fishery in the area, which spawns catfish as well as other warm-water dwelling species of fish.
In this area, the catfish will congregate upriver in the biggest, deepest pools they can find. There are several dredge holes in the area that make excellent gathering points for catfish. Pennsylvania catfish fishing in this area of the river can produce results both from the shore and from a boat, with inviting shore locations at Oil City, Tionesta, and Reno, where there are a large number of dredge holes (also known as eddies).
If you choose to boat this area, keep in mind that the middle Allegheny River is shallow and free-flowing, and you’ll probably want to opt for a jet-drive outboard or a non-powered boat like a kayak or canoe.
Pennsylvania catfish fishing is also popular in the lower Allegheny River, which consists of the area between East Brady to the north and Pittsburgh to the south.
This portion of the river is impounded by eight lock and dam systems and is 70 miles in length. Like the middle Allegheny, this section of water is home to both channel and flathead cats, though fishing here almost exclusively requires great knowledge and navigation, especially if you plan to fish from the shoreline.
Because shore fishing varies from one dam to the next, you would do best to stick to the tailrace areas below the dams to count on a good catch. Also check out the slack water areas on the lock sides of the dams, especially at the Rimer, Clinton, Freeport, and Mosgrove areas, where there are hydroelectric facilities on the opposite side that provide excellent low-level waters in August, fostering good fishing conditions.
Scottsdale, Arizona: Scottsdale. Arizona, Arizona, Metropolitan Phoenix freeways, Maricopa County, Arizona, Scottsdale Fashion Square, Phoenix metropolitan … Scottsdale Airport, Arizona State University
March 13, 2010
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Scottsdale. Arizona, Arizona, Metropolitan Phoenix freeways, Maricopa County, Arizona, Scottsdale Fashion Square, Phoenix metropolitan area, Scottsdale Airport, Arizona State University… More >>
Flight Schools in the USA
March 13, 2010
Pilot training is a hard job. You must enroll at a prestigious and excellent school to train to become a great pilot.
An aviator or a pilot is a person who flies airplanes or any form of aircraft. Aviator is the broader term for pilot. Aviators can also pertain to persons who are bombardiers, navigators, flight engineers, electronic warfare officials and radar operators. The term “aviator” must not be confused with a “naval aviator” which refers to the crew members of the US Navy, Coast Guard and Marines. A naval aviator navigates in the waters.
Being a pilot is hard work. You have to check every nook and cranny of the airplane together with a team of specialized aircraft professionals to assure the safety of every flight. The pilot is also the one who signals the base tower whenever they are in the process of taking -off, landing and in between.
A good aviation school is important in learning and practicing your skills as a pilot. Below is a list of flight schools within US for you to choose upon in case you want to be a pilot someday.
List of Flight Schools in the USA
American Academy of Aeronautics
This flight school is located in Sacramento, San Jose California. It boasts of a unique training program certified by the Global Aviation Degree. It holds the largest and most extensive program for training student pilots. The school caters on-campus job and housing placement program. They hold funding programs for internship.
It has the latest aircrafts including airplane fleets with moving maps, autopilot, and GPS. The advanced training program part 125 offered by this school is called “Next Generation Cockpit Training.” The school houses airplanes with a B737 Multi-Engine and a B200 FAA recurrent and C310 Turbine transition.
Wright Flyers Academy
This is San Antonio’s finest flight school. This is also the Global Aviation Degree Center of the area. It was founded in 1982. In addition, it is the Cessna Pilot Center of San Antonio, Texas. The city is famous for its excellent climate ges all year round. It is also famous for its low cost of living and its aviation history. The military aircrafts and corporate jets of the Class C airspace in San Antonio International can give any pilot the confidence and experience for them to fly all over the world.
The school’s training program will probably land any pilot into the a very good position within a big airline company or a scheduled airfreight operator in just 14 months. The newest program of this school is called “Internet-based College Program” by the UVSC can land you either a Bachelor or Associate Degree at your own careful pacing while paying the tuition fees as ordered by the state.
Executive Flyers Incorporated
This school is located in Sacramento, California. It has a private license from the ATP for pilot training. Students can fly the VA approved multiple and single-engine aircraft called FAR 141. The school was established in the late 20th century and the classrooms are still in excellent condition along with its friendly teachers.
The Pam Am International Flight Academy
This flight school offers stimulation training and professional flight, which includes business aviation, airline team training and career pilot agenda. This school is located in Ft. Pierce, Phoenix and Florida, Arizona. They also provide training for flight attendants and air traffic control.
Pan Am is able to draft an effective program designed to help students maximize their potentials. The program includes spending less time training. It guarantees students a flight career the fastest time possible. They believe that pilots improve their ranks with seniority. The sooner they become pilots, the earlier they will be promoted.
Senior Pilots Drawn to Light Sport Aircraft
March 13, 2010
Copyright (c) 2008 Dan Pimentel
A good friend returned from EAA’s 2007 Airventure Oshkosh Airshow holding delivery position #426 on a new Cessna Model 162 Skycatcher. I’d been trying to track down a C162 buyer for a while, so this is great timing as I want to find out what is drawing current, licensed private pilots to the Skycatcher. What I found did not really surprise me.
At 78.5 years young, Fresno pilot John Pugliese has amassed 7,000 hours in a pilot career that has included ownership of a Fairchild PT-23, a Cessna 120 and his current bird, a 1952 Cessna 170. After a heart attack in the early ’90s, Pugliese must now undergo additional scrutiny each time he is re-issued a third-class medical card. And while he has good health today to flies with an FAA medical card, he knows that may not be the case forever. “I’m hoping that Cessna can deliver my Skycatcher before the day comes when the medical card cannot be re-issued.”
I’m certain Pugliese is not the only “senior” private pilot who is looking at Light Sport aircraft as a sort of “workaround” to current FAA medical rules. And as a refresher, let me pass along what the FAA says about the subject of Sport Pilot medicals.
Sport Pilot licensing rules require either a third-class FAA medical certificate or a current and valid U.S. driver’s license as evidence of medical eligibility (provided the individual’s most recent application for an FAA medical certificate was not denied, revoked, suspended or withdrawn). So as long as a pilot can move into an LSA before he/she is denied, all is well and good. However, once FAA takes that card away, those denied pilots cannot use a driver’s license in lieu of the medical card.
As an experienced aviator, Pugliese picked the Skycatcher for a number of reasons. “The main thing was the hydraulic brakes” he said. “I’m an old taildragger driver from way back, and sometimes you have to almost lock up one wheel to keep things straight. And nothing against Rotax, but I like that Cessna is putting Continentals in the Skycatcher, since it will be easy to find service coast-to-coast on that engine. I also like that I will be able to get parts through an established Cessna dealer network. And at just over five feet tall, I’m happy the Skycatcher’s rudder pedals are adjustable. The plane fits me fine, and is really a great looking airplane!”
As a successful businessman, Pugliese knows that the $109,000 base price will climb before delivery day. A clause in the Cessna contract allows for cost of living increases and with California sales tax that he says is a staggering nine percent, John expects the Skycatcher to come in at around $140,000 without wheel pants or a ballistic chute. He expects that by the time Cessna delivers the 162, the Garmin G300 panel will change for the better, as avionics always do.
Bottom line: John Pugliese is one of those older pilots we all love…nice as can be, true to his fellow pilots, and always willing to take a young kid flying to spark their internal fires. When he gets the Skycatcher, it’ll make a perfect platform to serve his mission profile, which is to poke holes in the sky while converting fossilized dinosaurs into altitude to chase down the elusive airport hamburger.
Kingman Trainging Test Fire
March 13, 2010
Test fire of the Kingman Training Pistol “Eraser”
Official World War 2 Flight Training DVD Video Over 3 Hours
March 13, 2010
- world war 2 flight training
- vintage
- educational
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OFFICIAL WW2 FLIGHT TRAINING DVD VIDEO. 5 FILMS OVER 3 HOURS. These flight training videos were produced by the Air Corps to help in the familiarization and training of personnel in World War 2. The Lockheed P-38 The Bell P-39 Airacobra The Curtiss P-40 The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt The Northrop P-61 Black Widow TOTAL RUNTIME 186 MINUTES NTSC DVD ALL REGION…. More >>
