Air Facts

MARCH 26, 2025

But as I banked into my final approach, my heart sank. Time seemed to freeze as I floated in ground effect. The aircraft had sustained little damage the tail tie-down was knocked off and no one had been hurt. There in his hand, hung elegantly from a necklace chain, was the tail tie-down. I began to laugh.

Knot 52

Knot Runway Pilot Tail 52

Photographic Logbook

JANUARY 25, 2025

Rolling out on final approach, I was surprised to see another airplane stopped right at the runway threshold. Volunteer Air Traffic Control Because of its unique geometry, the Alton Bay Ice Runway requires careful coordination on the ground to avoid conflicts. More vintage cred: a V-tailed Beechcraft Bonanza!

Runway 68

Runway Airplanes Threshold Approach 68

Chess In the Air

JUNE 24, 2022

There was no opportunity to recover and it hit the ground hard, thankfully just out of camera view. The Rifle ASOS recorded a gust of 43 mph from the south: a 100-degree shift in direction, putting it right on his tail. There was no opportunity to recover and it hit the ground hard, thankfully just out of camera view.

Pilot 52

Pilot AGL Wind Shear Runway 52