All Entries in the "Essays & Opinion" Category
Open Letter To Tom Cruise
Tom, we love you man.
Not just because you're a great actor and a fun guy (Scientology notwithstanding) but also because you once told the LA Times that Pacific Flyer was your favorite aviation newspaper (true!) and they reported that in a front page story.
However, your idea to bring back Top Gun after 25 years, well, [...]
This Is Just Plain Stupid
The United States of America, which is broke, has announced it is sending China $20+ million in foreign aide. And since the U.S., is in dire financial straits where do you think the money is coming from? The U.S. is "borrowing" it from ... China! ItÕs true.
That means the U.S. will not only give China [...]
Guest Essay
Venture forth on mighty wings,
take leave of earth as freedom sings
the joys of life as yet untold
to become
like Pegasus of old.
- John Anthony Doyle III
By Jack Cowan
What a time it was, just yesterday.
People dressed up to travel, passenger seats were designed for human consumption and no security lines. The whole business of commercial aviation had [...]
At War With His Lordship
By Sanford Hughes
Military Corrspondent
Jimmy slipped into his G suit, checked his float coat, his U.S. Navy issued pistol and his flares.
He also stuck in a couple of high protein candy bars, a bag of trail mix and two extra baby bottles full of water, just in case. Plus some extra ammunition.
He didn't plan to spend [...]
Transparency Or Aiding The Enemy
Achmed Muhammed Muhammed was 47 years old, a trained optician and a devout Muslim who mistrusted native born Americans, their Christian religion (and he didn't like Jews, either) or the freedom embedded in the American constitution.
Still, it was better than living in a sand pit and getting shot at by some other tribe, enduring 125 [...]
Statement from Liberty Foundation Chief Pilot Ray Fowler
Statement from Liberty Foundation Chief Pilot Ray Fowler of The Liberty Foundation on Tuesday, June 14, 2011.
First, let me start off by sincerely thanking everyone for the outpouring of support that we are receiving. I am sorry that I have not yet had the opportunity to return the many phone calls, text or e-mails that [...]
How Has The Navy Changed?
Has the military, particularly, the Navy changed in the past 50 years?
Here's a lightearted but factual look at the difference in the USN from 1960, when we enlisted, to now.
Then - If you smoked, you had an ashtray on your desk.
Now - If you smoke, you get sent outside and treated like a [...]
The Last Great Voyage
By Wayman Dunlap
Editor/Publisher
So I’m handed my mail some years back, see, and there’s this big 11X14 manila envelope addressed to me from a guy named Bill Reesman.
Inside, there’s a glossy color photo of a very cocksure-looking man standing next to a twin Cessna, with a WW I aviator’s leather helmet, a brown leather jacket with [...]
Controller Tells It Like It Is
Editor’s note: PF columnist (Flights of Fancy) Paul Berge was an air traffic controller and we asked him to give us the ATC side of the sleeping controller issue.
By Paul Berge
As non-ATC commentators flail themselves into lathers of righteous outrage over reports of controllers napping on late-night shifts, I’m moved to break a long silence.
I [...]
Another View Of The Navy Centennial Flight
By Michael J. "Viper" Maloco
I would like to thank everyone who has spoken out, about the article in the Pacific Flyer, you are all indeed friends.
We must remember this event is about the Navy, this is their year, and they should have center stage at their own event.
Here are a few things you should know:
1) [...]
