The FAA has just opened themselves up to be inunandated with comments, but, well, they've asked for it! They are asking for opinions on the use of electronic devices (e.g., iPad, Kindle) during take-offs and descents on commercial flights. For the full article, click here.
As for me, I'd LOVE if they allowed devices--even with WiFi and Cellular disabled--so I could keep reading my books and not have to talk to the chirpy person in the seat next to me (I'm an introvert, alright?). But, I could see if they allow some devices, this could open a can of worms. What if folks are allowed to talk on cell phones during flights? Egads. Overhearing those conversations could become more annoying than having no devices. I applaud the FAA for being open to input, and I feel sorry because I imagine they'll get more than they've asked for. After all, everyone's got an opinion. I've shared mine. How about you? What's your thoughts on using electronic devices on takeoffs and landings?

This weekend is the Antique Fly-In at Blakesburg, and next week is the Stearman Fly-In at Galesburg. We're cleaning the planes and getting ready for a full week of flying fun.
Special Note: There's a VIP TFR over the Des Area on Saturday, so keep that in mind if you're planning to fly to Blakesburg. If you can't make one or both fly-ins, check out their blogs for updates during the events:
http://antiqueairfield.com/
http://stearmanflyin.com/

Barring rain (in which case we'll be at the hangar), this could turn out to be a great weekend for flying. Abel Island at Guttenberg (on the Mississippi River, north of Dubuque) is having their annual fly-in/boat-in potluck from noon - 3pm on Saturday. They have a 2600' turf strip, and seaplanes can use the Mississippi River.  www.abelisland.com
On Sunday, you can choose Iowa City or Greenfield for their annual fly-in breakfasts (or, if you have a fast plane, you can make both). Iowa City is 7am - 12:30 pm, and Greenfield is 7>30 am - 11 am. Greenfield's website is: www.flyingmuseum.com http://www.airnav.com/airport/KGFZ

Some of you may have seen a red blur in the Iowa skies. In case you're wondering, that blur is Christian Ledet's brand spanking new Pitts. 
It's a shiny S-2-A. 

Oh, and there's a TFR in the Ames area on Tuesday (Aug. 28), so be careful! You can check TFR NOTAMs online at athttp://tfr.faa.gov or by calling Flight Service (1-800-WX-BRIEF). Fly safe!

The Des Moines Register spotlighted me in their Iowa Life section today. I was (happy) shocked when I saw the spread - they did an incredible job. Great pics of the planes, and I was so glad to see Brian and Annabelle covered! :-) 

Click here if you'd like to see the online version of the article. Enjoy! 

The weather looks absolutely gorgeous in the Midwest this weekend. We plan to fit in quite a bit of flying this weekend with a trip to visit family and a stop at Monticello's fly-in breakfast. Mankato, MN, and Monona are also hosting breakfasts on Sunday, depending on your area. For a list of all Iowa flight breakfasts and other aviation events, be sure to check out the IAwings calendar of events.
Oh, and if you subscribe to the Des Moines Register, be sure to check out the Iowa Life section this Sunday. You just may see a picture of our airplanes!

With a bit of ingenuity, Brian repurposed some old airplane seats into our office chairs. He took old office chairs, kept the bottoms, and attached the airplane seats on. They are both comfortable and stylish! 

Busy three-day weekend! On Friday, the Des Moines Register was at the hangar doing a photo/video shoot for an Iowa Life article on Rachel on both being a woman pilot and being a fiction writer (under the name Berinn Rae). Surprisingly, they were more interested in the Stearmans and Texan than the Tri-Champ. The article is scheduled to be in Sunday's Iowa Life section (August 19) and a video interview with both Brian and Rachel will be on the Des Moines Register website on the same day. 
On Saturday, we took full advantage of the absolutely perfect day to cram in as much flying as we could. And we had several friends join us: Matthew Sawhill was there for some Stearman flying, Dan and Diane Sokolowski flew in from Lincoln, Nick Sands brought his Decathlon down from Storm Lake, Rick Gleason flew his Citabria up, Jeff Beckley brought his Marquardt Charger in, Randy Nyberg stopped by with his PA-11 Super Cub, and I'm sure I missed someone. As you can see, we had FUN! 
Sunday was catch-up day. Brian and Matthew figured out a generator glitch on the Texan, so it was a good way to wrap up the weekend. 
Whew, what a weekend! Have a great week. Oh, remember that there's not much flying to be had Monday - Wednesday this week due to a TFR (Obama is in the Midwest). Stay safe!!

Iowa's newest old warbird, a 1952 Douglas Skyraider, stopped through Ames today for fuel on its way to its new home in Muscatine, and I was lucky enough to see him start up and take-off (and have my camera, what are the odds!).  Enjoy!

For me, the most fascinating military paint scheme for Stearman has always been the recall paint scheme. It's looks kind of like a zebra with wings and was used to round up all the WWII student pilots in the air to let them know it was time to come home, hence the "recall" name. I've only ever seen a couple Stearmans painted with the recall paint scheme. We talked with the owner of one of the planes at Greenfield one day. Frans Breugelmans (ISU visiting prof 1976-77) was passing through the US to spend some time with his Stearman, which is based in California. We swapped email, and I learned that there were at least 3 recall schemes. Here's some details he shared: 

ABOUT RECALL PLANES
The yel­low airplane was over painted with white, and then the dark blue stripes were added. Existing lettering was masked over, so it showed yellow backgrounds when the tape was removed. A very special Navy marking was used on "Recall" airplanes at some Navy primary schools. Since the train­ers had no radio, they could not be recalled if a sudden storm or other emergency came up. When it was neces­sary to call them in, a special "Kaydet" painted with bar­ber-pole stripes was flown to the nearby training areas; the cadets had orders to head for home or a suitable alternate field whenever they saw such a plane. Since flight sections frequently get caught by sudden storms because they too far away to see the recall flags on the tower, two plans have been painted as single and double recall signals. When foul weather blows up, these will be flown, around the area at once, signaling all planes to land.  
The first series is on the three recall schemes we are aware of.

Thanks to Frans for sharing the history and pictures. Enjoy!