Jamie Beckett

1 month ago | generalaviationnews.com | Jamie Beckett

Due to a series of highly publicized aircraft accidents in recent weeks, many people have become wary of the aviation industry. These accidents happened hundreds of miles apart, had no common factor other than involving aircraft and, in at least one spectacular example that was caught on film in Toronto, every passenger and crew member survived. Aviation is a much better transportation deal than the news might have the casual observer believe. Go with me on this for a minute.

2 months ago | generalaviationnews.com | Jamie Beckett

Anyone who delves into the art and science of flight will learn fairly early on how rule-intensive the industry is. Even at the entry level pilot trainees for any certificate from sport pilot on up will be encouraged to review the five hazardous attitudes the FAA has identified. They are, in no particular order, antiauthority, impulsivity, invulnerability, macho, and resignation. Each has its own indicators of an attitude or behavior that resides in each and every one of us to some degree.

2 months ago | generalaviationnews.com | Jamie Beckett

Many years ago, an elderly woman named Terry lived across the street from my family. Terry was a lovely, grandmotherly type to my young daughters. The sort of woman who every year came by to let my girls know Santa had dropped off gifts for them at her house by accident. She was a peach. One sunny afternoon, while sitting on her back porch enjoying the sound of the birds in the trees, Terry confided in me that she’d held membership in that remarkable club known as Rosie the Riveter.

2 months ago | generalaviationnews.com | Jamie Beckett

Almost anything can be classified into pairs. Go ahead and try it. It works. For instance, there are two types of people in the world: Those who fly and those who don’t. Sure, it’s a massive generalization, but it’s also more or less true. One group is almost undeniably cooler and more awesome than the other. That’s subjective, of course, but I side with the former, as you might imagine.

Jan 14, 2025 | generalaviationnews.com | Jamie Beckett

On a beautiful morning in the summer of 1968 the nine-year old version of me was enjoying the fresh breeze on my face as I rode my bike with my best friend, Mike. We blasted through Gorman Park and passed by Lord Pool. We planned to swim there later in the day. We zipped along May Road, traversed the short extension to Burke Street, and turned onto O’Connell Drive at the Sangiovani’s house. Our destination was just one house away. It was a truly great day in the life of a nine-year old boy.