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Cheaper to visit the Netherlands

It will soon (July 1) be cheaper to fly to the Netherlands as the Dutch government plans to drop its so-called “eco” tax that ranged from €11 to €45 depending upon the length of the flight. Apparently, the tax was supposed to raise about €300 million a year but it turned out to be a really dumb idea that will end up costing the Dutch economy more than €1.3 billion due to a steep decline in passenger traffic at major Dutch airports as passengers simply took flights to neighboring airports in Belgium or Germany and then crossed the border. That will leave Italy, Ireland and the UK with similar “eco” taxes while Belgium has already scrapped plans for a similar tax.

With most of Europe in recession, new “eco” taxes or a Europe-wide “eco” tax scheme is unlikely to occur in the near future while the chances of Ireland or the UK scrapping their “eco” taxes is probably remote since the only other travel options would be by boat or the Chunnel.

Nevertheless, once the economy rebounds, expect the “eco” tax issue to reappear again – perhaps as a Europe wide initiative.

Free FAA handbooks

The FAA publishes free books online that contain useful information and advice. They are every bit as good as expensive manuals from regular publishers but, since they come from the FAA, they are free. You can’t beat that price.

Advanced Avionics Handbook. Just-published guide to glass cockpit technology, autopilots, moving maps and so on. While most of the JAR PPL syllabus is still rooted in 20th century technology, it’s impressive that the FAA is looking forward.

Instrument Procedures Handbook. Advice on IFR operations such as SIDs and STARs. Much more focused on real operations than on training. Very helpful.

Instrument Flying Handbook. A good introduction to the skills needed for an instrument rating.

Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge. An encyclopaedic guide to topics such as aerodynamics and other useful information needed for FAA exams and safe flying.

Plane Sense. Information you need to know if you are going to buy and operate your own aircraft but also stuff that is regularly tested on exams like mandatory documents and the responsibilities of pilots.

Risk Management Handbook. With many GA accidents occurring after pilots pass their PPL but before they build up a good body of experience (the gap sometimes called “the killing zone” after the book of the same name), this handbook is a helpful introduction to risk management and aeronautical decision-making.

(Hat tip: Aviation Mentor)

Collision over the Amazon

Lately, aircraft tragedies have led to sometimes inaccurate media accounts and rush to judgment reporting from journalists unfamiliar with flying. However, when journalist AND a former professional airline pilot William Langewiesche writes about an aviation tragedy, expect a well researched and thoroughly engrossing read.

Share your aviation story contest

Wilco Films is producing an aviation documentary called A Pilot’s Story and will be having a contest to find the most compelling pilot story. The grand prize winner will be filmed at their airport/hanger by the film’s producers and portions of the interview will be featured in the documentary. The contest ends on June 30th, 2009 at 12PM PST and the winners will be announced on July 20th, 2009; but unfortunately for UK based pilots, it is only open to legal US residents residing in one of the 50 US states. Nevertheless, non-USA based pilots can still show their support and enthusiasm for the project by making a purchase from the film’s official shop where all proceeds from the purchase will go towards producing the film.

Plan your touchdown, plan your exit

I fly from Denham (EGLD) which has a short runway so most of my approaches end in short field landings by default.

However, like most pilots, I also visit airports with very long runways. For example Newquay airport has such a long runway that is an alternate for the Space Shuttle.

I fly into Amsterdam Schiphol from time to time in a Cirrus SR22. Normally they put you on the little eastern runway that is right by the private terminal but they could send you any of the other runways.

Patrick Flannigan’s AviationChatter.com has a nice article about “Landing at Busy Airports: Have an Exit Strategy.” I think this is really helpful. Working out which runway exit to use before you get to a big airport is great. Especially if, as at Schiphol, you might need to land long to make the right exit and minimise your time on the runway. There’s no point putting the plane down on the numbers if I have to taxi half a mile to get to the nearest exit.

No better time to buy

Across the pond, the AOPA Pilot Blog is reporting an upside to the economic doldrums – depressed prices for most new and used airplanes. Some of the deals mentioned include:

A 2005 Cessna 172S with 1,900 hours that in a normal economy would have between $155,000 and $162,000 is on the market for $135,000. The aircraft is equipped with the Garmin G1000 avionics suite.
A 142-hour total-time Cessna Skylane that in a normal economy sells for $305,000 instead costs $269,500.
A used Cessna Citation CJ3 that in a normal economy would cost $7 million is going for $5.5 million
A CJ2 that in a normal economy would cost $5.5 million is priced instead at $3.5 million.
A used older straight CJ that last year sold for $2 million is available for $1.5 to $1.7 million.

Obviously now is the best time in decades to buy a new or used aircraft and some of these deals are attracting buyers while others are not or are just attracting “tire kickers.”