Flying Up Down East
by Deborah Fallows
You won’t be surprised to hear that we decided to make a precautionary landing in Portland, the closest big airport. Jim told the controller that we were “changing destination because of non-emergency equipment problems,” a phrase I hadn’t heard before. He also requested a change from “Visual Flight Rules,” under which we flew whatever course we chose, to an Instrument Flight Rules plan, in which ATC would guide us to the destination. The ATC responded without a breath’s delay. “November 435SR is cleared to the Portland airport via direct, maintain 3,000 feet. Let us know if you require assistance.” (Read it here.)
Category Archives: Life on the Road
Eastport Road Map: Global Meets Local in a Very Small Town
Eastport Road Map: Global Meets Local in a Very Small Town
by James Fallows
The consequences of a good kind of frustration. (Read it here.)
Eastport on Marketplace
Eastport on Marketplace
by James Fallows
Hearing voices you won’t forget, from a small group of inventive and determined people. (Read it here.)
Eastport, Maine: Population 1,300
Eastport, Maine: Population 1,300
by James Fallows
On a per capita basis, one of the grittiest and most inventive places in America. (Read it here.)
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.)
EATNN TTUNA SNWCH – hold (at) MAYYO: More on the Secret Language of the Skies
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.)
ITAWT ITAWA PUDYE TTATT: The Secret Language of the Skies
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.)
The Question We Keep Running Into: What Turns a Town Around?
The Question We Keep Running Into: What Turns a Town Around?
by James Fallows
Plus, a nationwide golden age of beer. (Read it here.)
Magical Roundabouts and the Language of Signs
Magical Roundabouts and the Language of Signs
by Deborah Fallows
I noticed signs that target two subsets of the upscale population of Burlington: the literati and the affluent Canadian tourists (which may overlap). Just have a look at themed Eat-Pray-Love knock-offs: the savvy bookstore, whose patrons would recognize the allusion; the wine store with their connoisseurs; and finally, the ice cream shop of Burlington’s own favorite sons, Ben & Jerry. (Read it here.)
If You Thought a Profitable Newspaper Was Surprising, How About This: A Pleasant Airport
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.)