Sightseeing with a Seaplane over Laughlin, Bullhead City
March 16, 2010
Some great scenery here over laughlin, Bullhead City, AZ. I just got my seaplane rating here. April 2007. Aircraft: Pa-18-150 Super Cub N2224 of Sheble Aviation.
Sources of Turquoise in the US
March 16, 2010
Copper and aluminum are the main ingredients in turquoise. This stone is generally found in areas of low precipitation and high evaporation, and typically in close proximity to copper deposits. When it was first discovered around 3000 BC, only important people in society were allowed to own it. Things have changed since then, and today a sterling silver turquoise pendant or some piece of other jewelry containing turquoise is a must for every woman’s wardrobe, especially in the Western states in the US. This article discusses turquoise mining in the United States.Arizona Arizona has several large copper deposits in turquoise can be found in close proximity to many of these locations. One of the most productive and famous turquoise mines in the US in the Bisbee mine. For many decades, the turquoise mine was operated as part of the copper mining being conducted here. This mine has produced some of the best quality turquoise in the world. The specimens are hard, bright blue, and have a well distributed pattern or fine dark veins. The mine is known to produce gem quality specimens that require no additional treatment other than cutting and polishing before use in jewelry. The other big copper deposit in Arizona – the Morenci mine – also has turquoise associated with it. The specimens here generally are aqua blue in color and contain black iron pyrites. The turquoise from Morenci takes a good shine and is some of the best in the world. Both these mines now produce only small amounts of turquoise. The Sleeping Beauty mine near Globe is the largest operating turquoise mine in the US. The characteristic of turquoise from this mine is that it has little if any vein pattern. For many years, the turquoise mine in Kingman was famous for its high quality stones. There is no production at the Kingman mine today.
Nevada The Royston area in Nevada has a few operating mines. Of these, the Ajax mine is perhaps the smallest and the most recent. The specimens from this mine are blue, or a combination of blue and green. The unusual color of the specimens from this mine has raised interest in this prospect. Turquoise from the Damali mine sometimes contains zinc. The presence of zinc causes the stone to be yellow in color, and also makes it harder than most other turquoise. The Dry Creek mine in Nevada is also worthy of mention. The turquoise here contains a relatively high amount of aluminum. So the specimens from this mine are light blue, and sometimes have no blue coloration at all. The turquoise found in Esmeralda County is generally in the form of nodules. The stones range in color from solid blue, to blue with the characteristic spider webbing.New Mexico The Cerrillos mine in New Mexico deserves special mention. The first turquoise mining operations were carried out here, about 10 miles from Santa Fe. The color of the stone has ranged from khaki green to a brilliant bluish green. The specimens from this mine are generally very hard and can be polished to a high shine. Production from this mine today is quite low. For many years, the Tyronne mine near Silver City was known for its turquoise production. However, a change in the copper mining process here has put an end to turquoise mining here.
Skiing Arizona: Phoenix’s Ski Resorts
March 16, 2010
In a desert state and a city where the temperature reaches 38C on an average of 89 days during the year it may come as a surprise that you can ski on real snow, on real mountains, just a few hours from the city of Phoenix, Arizona.
Snowfall in Phoenix itself is extremely rare; the city only averages 5 days per year where the temperature drops below freezing and since records began, snow has only fallen seven times – the last of which was January 2001 (the first snow fall in 22 years).
However, much to the enjoyment of Phoenix’s skiers and snowboarders, there are several ski resorts within a few hours drive which are perfect for a day or weekend trip and should satisfy snow lovers’ cravings for the white stuff.
Arizona Snowbowl is located in the San Francisco Peaks in the Coconino National Forest, just a two hour drive from Phoenix. The ski area offers over 2,300 feet of vertical drop and 32 scenic trails that cover 777 acres and the Arizonan desert climate means the resort also enjoys plenty of sunny skiing days.
Those who prefer their skiing more sedate can visit the Flagstaff Nordic Center, located just seven miles north of Snowbowl. This area offers winter sports fans an extensive network of Nordic ski trails, as well as snowshoeing and sledding. Flagstaff also supports a healthy racing scene with competitions of various lengths held throughout the winter for cross country skiers.
The largest ski area in Arizona is Sunrise Park Resort, located in McNary in the Arizona White Mountains. Owned and operated by the White Mountains Apache Tribe, the areas comprises of eight lifts, and over 13 miles of cross country skiing trials.
And finally, if you want to ski in the most southerly ski resort in the Untied States, head for Mount Lemmon Ski Valley. Though Tucson is more likely to conjure up thoughts of sand rather than snow (several well-known beach resorts are located here) – just an hour’s drive away from the sea there is skiing and snowboarding to be found. The area is small, with a vertical drop of just 290m, 3 lifts and a ski-able area of 200 acres, but despite its southerly location, the resort still manages to open from December to April and the scenic views that overlook the area make Mt. Lemmon a popular ski destination.
Accommodation is available in (or near) all of these winter towns in the form of cabins, lodges and motels. Be warned though – people come here to ski rather than party so if you’re looking for a wild time, a better option would be to stay at a hotel in Phoenix and just commute to the ski areas during the day.
Pilot Training Types And Requirements
March 16, 2010
Flight schools are the places where students get the guidance of piloting by the help of certified and specialized instructors. These schools train students for the aviation industry. Students come to these schools to make their career as a pilot. Aviation is the booming sector so the flight schools are in the demand. Most of the youngsters come to these schools to convert their dreams into reality. Flight schools offer so many flights training programs to the students. Those who are new or do not have any knowledge of aviation get admission in the students pilot training. After this training students can take admission in the recreational of sport pilot training. In these training programs pilots lean to fly light aircrafts. After these training students becomes eligible to private pilot training. In the private pilot training, pilots learn some more tips of flying and get rigorous ground school training. There are so many flight schools around the word. Flight schools of USA work under the rules and regulations of Federal Aviation Administration. Some flight schools are specialized in fixed win aircraft training whereas others give the training in rotary wing aircrafts. Some specialized centers also give the training of flying helicopters. Some fight schools also offer commercial pilot training to the pilots. These schools offer these training by the help of professional and experienced pilots. These trainings are the combination of ground school training and practical classes. After this training pilots can do job as the airline pilot. But this is not the highest level of certification in the aviation industry. The highest level of certification in aviation industry is ATP certification. Flight schools offer very good facilities to the pilots during the training of aviation. There are also few schools that give the facility of pilot shop. Some schools also offer scholarship to their students and give the facility of low interest rate loans. Thus these facilities are making great help to those who were not able to pursue these courses because of the problem of fund. In the ATP training, pilots not only lean to fly the airplanes in the difficult and different conditions but also learn technicalities related to air crafts. In ATP pilot training programs, pilots get rigorous ground school training and learn by the experience of their instructors. To become the pilot in command in the airlines pilot must be certified as ATP.
Private Pilot License Training ? Fulfilling Dreams to fly an Aircraft
March 16, 2010
Pilot training is gaining a lot of interest and momentum these days especially among the aviation enthusiasts and hobby fliers who may wish to rent an aircraft and for those who own a personal aircraft. Owning an aircraft is no longer a symbol of status among the who’s who. Learning to fly one’s dream machine is what completes the whole package when it comes to flaunting one’s wealth. This has resulted in mushrooming of many aviation academies in India like Chimes Aviation Academy, which boasts of providing private pilot training on the much famed Cessna 172 and is also one of the best aviation academies in the country.
To become a private pilot, one has to obtain a Private Pilot License (PPL) which permits the holder to act as the pilot of an aircraft privately (i.e. he does not fly an aircraft for any remuneration). The requirements to obtain the license are determined by the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO), but the actual implementation varies widely from country to country.
While undergoing training at an aviation academy, the student is given a Student Pilot License. Student Pilot License is given to those with 10+2 with science and aged at least 16 years should register at a flying club which is recognized by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Government of India.
The second step is the Private Pilot License (PPL). PPL training includes sixty hours of flying of which about fifteen hours are dual flights, that is accompanied by the flight instructor and at least 30 hours of solo flights apart from five hours of cross-country flying. This makes one eligible for the Private Pilot License exam. The prescribed age for appearing for this exam is 17 years and an educational qualification of 10+2 along with a Medical Fitness Certificate issued by the Armed Forces Central Medical Establishment (AFCME).
Although there are various types of aircraft, many of the principles of pilot training have common techniques. All pilot training courses consist of some combination of theoretical learning conducted on the ground and practical exercises conducted in the air. Initial pilot training is often conducted in specialized training aircraft (most aviation academies use Cessna 172), which are designed for benign handling characteristics and lower costs compared to the aircraft which the pilot concerned is ultimately aiming to fly.
Aviation academies train an individual on the various skills required to fly an aircraft. It teaches a pilot the process of flying an aircraft through the air with proper direction and control. It also teaches the students to understand the weather forecasts.
Private pilot training program mainly require high level of innovative mind capabilities and great aptitude skills. This supports the candidate to get the concept in an easy manner.
However, with such busy and fast paced life, many passionate fliers do not get time to fulfill their dream. Thus Chimes Aviation Academy has come up with a Cruiser (Executive PPL) programme which enables the student to pursue flying with a convenient, personalized over the weekend schedule. The schedule is designed to make the student a Private Pilot License holder in just nine weekends. Currently, Chimes Academy has Bollywood actors Kunal Kapoor and Chitrangda Singh and ace golfer Jyoti Randhawa as its students.
This article is based on my experiences and knowledge as a pilot training student at Chimes Aviation Academy (CAA – http://www.caaindia.com/ppl.aspx )
