October 20, 2013

Now, for More Good News About America: Avidyne to the Rescue!port

Now, for More Good News About America: Avidyne to the Rescue!
by James Fallows
When you have the opportunity to give a deserved compliment, don’t let it pass. (Read it here.)

October 17, 2013

EATNN TTUNA SNWCH – hold (at) MAYYO: More on the Secret Language of the Skies

Aviation, Language

EATNN TTUNA SNWCH – hold (at) MAYYO: More on the Secret Language of the Skies
by James Fallows
“The approach fixes, in order, are TRAMP, FLOZY, SILKY, and JAKOR. I’m sensing a pattern here but would love to know the back story.” (Read it here.)

October 16, 2013

ITAWT ITAWA PUDYE TTATT: The Secret Language of the Skies

Aviation, Language

ITAWT ITAWA PUDYE TTATT: The Secret Language of the Skies
by Deborah Fallows
Aviation has a lot of special language, like sailing or gymnastics. Its brief, even curt efficiency and orderly templates keep planes on course and out of each other’s way. Short. To the point. Unambiguous. No small talk to clog up the frequency. But there is one special set of aviation jargon, more alien than the concocted vocabulary of Esperanto and more bizarre than patterned wordplay of Pig Latin or Id. This is the lexicon of waypoints, which are the road markers in the sky for directing planes on a course. (Read it here.)

September 23, 2013

If You Thought a Profitable Newspaper Was Surprising, How About This: A Pleasant Airport

Aviation, Transportation

If You Thought a Profitable Newspaper Was Surprising, How About This: A Pleasant Airport
by James Fallows
More strange tales from the North Country. (Read it here.)

September 17, 2013

‘Baltimore Altimeter, 30.46’—Snapshots From a Clear Day in the Northeast

Aviation, Burlington VT

‘Baltimore Altimeter, 30.46’—Snapshots From a Clear Day in the Northeast
by James Fallows
The never-boring view from 2,500 feet up (Read it here.)

September 16, 2013

‘Say Souls On Board,’ and Other Secrets of the Skies

Aviation, Language

‘Say Souls On Board,’ and Other Secrets of the Skies
by Deborah Fallows
You never know what a day in the air will bring, but you can be sure that you’ll be witness to some kind of interesting, curious, or even dramatic events. Here are a few from our recent days in the air. (Read it here.)