2009 Annual Notam

My year in aviation:

• This blog had readers from 1,007 cities in 98 countries and territories on 6 continents.
• I've logged 76.6 hours, a personal all time high. 19.7 was seaplane time. New total: 642.

• Flying low and slow over Golden Gate Bridge twice this year was probably the most spectacular experiences.
• Propeller starting (hand swinging) a seaplane and flying without observing that no battery was on board, defiantly the most embarrassing (and had to be covered up in the blog post).
• Glassy water landing at Vermundsjøen supposedly the most dangerous.
• Happy that I finally managed to fly over the mountains and reach my home town airport Ørsta/Volda (ENOV) for the first time in my 11 years as a pilot. Closest call had been a 180 turn at Nordfjordeid three years ago.
• And last but not least: First GA family vacation to ESSF and Astrid Lindgren's World.

I Wish You All Happy Landings In 2010!

Piper Cherokee to celebrate its 50th birthday at Oshkosh

One of the iconic general aviation airplanes of the past half-century, the Piper Cherokee, will be honored this summer at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, at Wittman Regional Airport on July 26-August 1.

"There are just a few airplanes that are instantly recognizable as part of the flying community at nearly every airport, and the Piper Cherokee is among them," said Tom Poberezny, EAA president and AirVenture chairman. "The design has been a part of aviation history for those learning to fly, enjoying the freedom of flight or using an aircraft as part of their business."

The Cherokee received its type certificate from FAA in 1960 and was first shipped to the marketplace in 1961. More than 30,000 Cherokees and their direct descendants, the Piper Warrior and Arrow, have been built over the past 50 years. (AOPA Online/AMT)

Free to fly after Obama left town

Berit celebrating the freedom of flight after president Obama left town. In the US a five NM VIP Presidential movement temporary flight restriction (TFR) is the normal security level. As Obama arrived Oslo on a mission for peace, a 40 NM no-fly zone was imposed, closing the airspace for VFR flights 24 hours before his arrival, and not opening before hours after he left. Normally only space shuttle launches generates restrictions of this magnitude. Probably a case of most nervous airspace for the Gunnies book of world records.