The Aspiring Pilot

RFD's spectacular lineup for Airfest 2011 and Hero nominations

If you're an aviation buff, geek or even slightly interested, the 2011 Rockford International Airport Airfest air show is THE place to be this year. As I wrote about in my Chicago General Aviation Examiner column a short while back, the lineup was looking pretty impressive! Since then, the lineup has continued to grow, especially on the static display side! 

The show now features over 50 static display aircraft, a record for the show! Some of the aircraft that will be on static display from the US Military are 3 F/A-18's, 2 F-16's, 2 Navy Helicopters, the P-3 Orion 'Sub Hunter', E-6 'Looking Glass, KC-135 Stratotanker, 3 T-34's, 2 T-38's as well as 2 A-10 Warthogs that were just reconfirmed. The prior two were withdrawn by the military for use in real-world operations. RFD was able to acquire 2 more A-10's from a different unit. 

Civilian aircraft on static display will be an American Airlines B737-800, Delta 757-200, UPS A300F, Fed-Ex DC-10 along with multiple helicopters, business jets and smaller general aviation aircraft.  

Add in the aerial performances by the US Navy Blue Angels, the Golden Knights AND Leap Frog Parachute teams and a dozen other performers and this show should, by far, be the best Airfest to date at RFD. 

The show is June 4th and 5th, 11Am until 5PM (gates open 9Am) at Rockford International airport. Visit the site for more information and tickets.

Also, part of the Centennial of Naval Aviation that the airshow is celebrating, RFD is looking to recognize local heroes, military or civilian before and during the show. Any military servicemember (current or retired) that has 'contributed to the defense of the country' or any public servant (police officer, fire fighter, teacher, etc.) that acted for the 'extraordinary betterment of the community' is elligible for nomination. You can see more information, the nomination application and the reward for those selected under my Chicago General Aviation Examiner article. 

Hopefully, I'll see you there! 

FAA seeking to ban new 'through the fence' agreements for public airports

The FAA has recently proposed modifications to it's 'through the fence' (TTF) policy pertaining to residential access to public airports. 'Through the fence' airport access is when an off airport property, residential or commercial has direct access for their airplane onto the airport. This is usually seen with private airparks where all the residences have hangers attached to the homes and provide direct access to the runway for all home owners.

FAA acting Assistant Administrator for Airports, Catherine Lang, on Wednesday, reiterated the FAA's position to the House Transportation and Infrastructure committee Wednesday seeking a ban on new through the fence agreements and seeking assurances for those agreements already in place.

 See National General Aviation Examiner for full story.

Pilot Pete's Restaurant at Schaumburg Regional - First Restaurant Review

(excerpt from my examiner.com column)

View of Schaumburg Regional Airport from Final to Runway 11

Photo: by Mike Miley via flickr.com

This is the first in a series of reviews of restaurants associated with airports.  Speak to a private pilot and you may hear the term $100 Hamburger.  This refers to flying somewhere for a quick bite at the local airport diner.  The food isn't really $100, but the phrase comes from aviation lingo for flying to a nearby airport, within 1-2 hours flight time just to eat and then fly home.  It was coined back when a 2-4 hour round-trip excursion used to actually cost only $100.  Now, with rental and fuel, you could possibly call it the $500 hamburger, depending on where you live. 

The first featured restaurant is a nearby favorite of mine, Pilot Pete's Bar and Grill Restaurant. The restaurant is located at 905 West Irving Park Road in Schaumburg, IL. ... 

...Overall, Pilot Pete's is a great destination, whether you drive or fly to Schaumburg Regional Airport.  For a private pilot in the Chicago area, looking to impress a friend or significant other, it's a close hop from all other area airports and provides a great, delicious dining experience.  Just ensure you become familiar with the overlying airspace as Schaumburg Regional lies under the final approach path for O'Hare.

For the first review, I'd have to give Pilot Pete's a 4.5 out of 5. 

(read my full review here)

 

Meigs Field - A New Hope?

(excerpt from my examiner.com article)

Chicago Mayor, Richard M. Daley

Photo: Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images

Yesterday, Richard M. Daley announced the he will be stepping down as the Mayor of Chicago, a role he has maintained for 21 years, beginning in 1989.  The announcement came as a large surprise to many political analysts, even though Daley's popularity has been on a decline and recent polls showed that less than half the city said they would vote for him again.  There are plenty of names floating around as possibly running in the upcoming election, one of the most publicized being Rahm Emanuel.  Others include Jesse Jackson, Jr, and Luis Gutierrez, both congressman who represent the State of Illinois in the nation's capital. (read entire article on this announcement and Meigs Field here)

 

Working on a series of news articles

I've begun working on a series of articles for publication at my Chicago General Aviation Examiner page that will focus on the airports in the greater Chicago area, specifically the general aviation aspect of each airport.  I've got a good lead with making Rockford International airport the first in the series and hope to have the article up within 7-10 days with pictures and video.  My goal will be to highly one airport a month and begin a second series on general aviation businesses, from training centers, to flying clubs to FBO's (fixes base operators).   My first article will be simply a very brief introduction to general aviation and Illinois aviation.  I'm really looking forward to beginning this project!

Bayless coming to O'Hare Airport

(from my examiner.com published article)

• August 17th, 2010 11:24 am

Rick Bayless at Xoco in Chicago.

Photo: By Fuzzy Gerdes via flickr.com

Accoring to the Associated Press, the City of Chicago has come to an agreement with Rick Bayless to open two restaurants at O'Hare airport.  Initial plans are to have one restaurant at Terminal 1 and another at Terminal 3.  Plans are to have the restaurants open by this fall according to aviation officials.  (click here for the rest of the story)