Blog - LME Notam

Common Problems with the Bellanca Super Viking Aircraft

Pilots transitioning to the Blanca Super Viking often encounter a significant adjustment period due to its unique construction and handling characteristics. The aircraft’s sensitive controls and complex fuel system require careful attention, while its wooden wing structure requires specialized maintenance knowledge that many mechanics lack. This combination creates both the Super Viking’s impressive performance capabilities and its reputation for requiring experienced hands at the controls.

Aviation Culture

Peterson Conway – Aviation Professional and Defense Tech Recruiter

Behind some of the most innovative defense technology companies stands a talent scout with an unusual background. Peterson Conway uses his experience as a back-country bush pilot to “deliver special people to hard-to-reach places” in the tech world. His distinctive recruitment approach, combining aviation precision with powerful storytelling, has made him key to building foundational teams for companies associated with the PayPal Mafia, including Palantir, Mach Industries, and Fuse.

Aircraft Types

Cassutt Racer – A Comprehensive Guide to the Cassutt 111M

Formula One air racing enthusiasts have long admired the Cassatt 111M for its remarkable combination of speed and simplicity. Designed in the early 1950s by TWA captain Tom Cassatt, this mid-wing monoplane delivers speeds exceeding 200 mph while remaining accessible to home builders with basic workshop skills. Its traditional wood, steel tube, and fabric construction has proven its durability, with Cassette continuing to dominate the starting grid at prestigious events like the Reno Air Races for over six decades.

Aviation Culture

Fighter Pilot Nicknames – Origins, Lists, and Assignments

Behind every fighter pilot’s radio call sits a nickname with a story—usually marking an embarrassing mishap rather than a heroic feat. These call signs aren’t self-selected but given by squadron mates during informal ceremonies that resemble good-natured roasts. From “Puddles” (who spilled a drink on a commanding officer) to “Wolfman” (Robin Olds’ reference to his regulation-defying mustache), these nicknames become permanent identifiers that follow pilots throughout their careers, building squadron unity and preventing anyone from taking themselves too seriously.

Restaurant Review

Grayson’s Landing Restaurant Menu – Explore Delicious Options

Perched on the shores of Rough River Lake, Grayson’s Landing Restaurant offers Kentucky classics with a view that rivals the food for attention. Diners can savor perfectly seasoned catfish, fall-off-the-bone ribs, and their famous banana pudding while gazing across the water’s scenic expanse. The restaurant operates Thursday through Saturday with breakfast, lunch, and dinner services, making it a popular spot for both park visitors and locals seeking authentic regional flavors.

Aviation Culture

Who Would Be Unenthusiastic About Going on an Airplane?

For millions of travelers, the prospect of boarding an aircraft creates reactions ranging from mild unease to paralyzing terror. Aerophobia affects approximately 25 million Americans alone, leading many to completely reorganize their lives to avoid flying. The physical symptoms—racing heart, sweating, shortness of breath—can begin days before a scheduled flight, while the psychological distress often stems from feelings of confinement, lack of control, or previous negative experiences with turbulence.

Aircraft Types

Waco UPF-7 – Specifications, History, and Availability

The Waco UPF-7 biplane stands as one of the finest examples of pre-World War II civilian flight training aircraft, with fewer than 200 of the original 577 models still in existence today. Its distinctive heavily staggered wings and exceptionally wide landing gear stance made it remarkably stable for novice pilots while maintaining responsive handling characteristics that experienced aviators appreciated. Between 1940 and 1942, these elegant aircraft served as the backbone of the Civilian Pilot Training Program, helping prepare thousands of pilots who would later serve in military aviation roles.

Aircraft Knowledge

Understanding MOSAIC Aviation Regulations – A Comprehensive Guide

The upcoming MOSAIC aviation regulations mark the most significant overhaul of light aircraft certification since the Light Sport Aircraft category was established in 2004. By replacing arbitrary weight and speed limitations with performance-based standards, these changes will allow aircraft up to 3,000 pounds and 250 knots to qualify as SAS. Pilots will gain expanded privileges too, with sport pilots potentially able to fly at night and under instrument conditions with appropriate training.

Aviation Culture

Kathleen Bangs – Aviation Expert and Investigator

From piloting commercial airliners with over 10,000 flight hours to investigating mysterious disappearances in Minnesota’s peat bogs, Kathleen Bangs has forged an unusually varied career path. The former airline pilot and training instructor now explains intricate aviation developments for public audiences as Flight Aware’s spokesperson since 2021. Her expertise spans both the technical aspects of flight safety and the communication skills needed to make aviation accessible to everyday viewers across television, digital media, and radio.

Aviation Culture

Lane Wallace – Pioneer Pilot and Adventure Writer

Flying across the Alps in a blimp and soaring near the edge of space in a U-2 spy plane are just two of the extraordinary adventures that define Lane Wallace’s remarkable career. As the first woman columnist for Flying magazine in its 72-year history, Wallace broke new ground in aviation journalism while establishing herself as both an accomplished pilot and insightful writer. Her authentic voice resonates through her books for NASA, her advocacy for women in male-dominated fields, and her forthcoming work on thriving in challenging professional environments.