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Monday, Sep 06th

Last update:03:15:19 PM GMT

Headlines:

More middle class warfare from the GOP

Abbreviated pundit round-up

Open Thread and Diary Rescue

Polling and Political Wrap, 8/16/10

Geithner and Bernanke pushed junk assets on taxpayers

The McChrystal effect

No enthusiasm for a Republican majority

Michael Steele scrambles

Midday open thread

Out of touch and out to lunch

Dell Says Supplier Provided Faulty OptiPlex Components

Google Will Buy Maker of Flight-Information Software

Ultralight Flying

10 Ultralight Tips to Save Money & Your Life

Matt Barlow

Ultralight Aircraft

Ultralight Aircraft - 10 Tips to Save You Money, and Possibly Your Life By Matt Barlow.

Hasn't everyone, at some point in time, had the desire to fly? The easiest way to just get up into the air, with a minimum of hassle, is through the use of an ultralight aircraft. The average training time for a non-pilot is just 12 hours, and can be completed in a few days. But before you find an open field and start sky hopping, we need to cover some important tips that will prevent you from making costly and dangerous mistakes.

Aside from the ease of flight certification, ultralight aircraft have many other benefits which can quickly make this a consuming hobby. For one thing, they can be hauled in your car or truck and stored easily. Secondly, they don't require a hangar. Just find an open grass field and let 'er rip. Lastly, there is a thriving ultralight community and new clubs and organizations popping all over the place. Don't be afraid to call your local ultralight aircraft club, you will find most ultralight enthusiasts are friendly folk.

Video: Judy's Awesome Flight

J. R. Ransom

Video (4min 28sec): Judy's Awesome Flight.

Judyth Piazza is a radio personality with The Student Operated Press. She takes off and lands the plane by herself on her third lesson. Wow! Judy is flying a 1998 Challenger II.

"My goal is to take off and land this aircraft for the first time, by myself.

And I'm gonna do it. Ya all stay tuned."

Ultralight Video: Barringer Crater, Navaho Nation

J. R. Ransom

Ultralight Video (6min 7sec): Barringer Crater, Navaho Nation. Dave Dixon, JS, John Cortsey and Damian Beresford explore Barringer Meteor Crater, Volcanic Peaks and more in their ultralight aircraft.

The Barringer Meteorite Crater (also known as "Meteor Crater") is a gigantic hole in the middle of the arid sandstone of the Arizona desert. A rim of smashed and jumbled boulders, some of them the size of small houses, rises 150 feet above the level of the surrounding plain. The crater itself is nearly a mile wide, and 570 feet deep.

When Europeans first discovered the crater, the plain around it was covered with chunks of meteoritic iron - over 30 tons of it, scattered over an area 8 to 10 miles in diameter. Scientists now believe that the crater was created approximately 50,000 years ago. The meteorite which made it was composed almost entirely of nickel-iron, suggesting that it may have originated in the interior of a small planet.

Microlight Journey to Acoma Video

J. R. Ransom

Microlight Journey to Acoma Pueblo video (6min 15sec) is a facinating look at the terrain west of Albuquerque, New Mexico Join Jeff Gilkey and Damien Beresford as they fly the microlights to the famous Acoma Pueblo via some spectacular places such as the Cauldron of Hell. There is nothing in the USA quite like the scenery of many parts of the desert Southwest. Highly recommended video.

Microlight Flying Over a Desert Winter Landscape.

J. R. Ransom

Video of Microlight Flying Over a Desert Winter Landscape. Rick Cooper, Paul Sielicki and Damien Beresford welcomed the new year with an eerie flight over the desert covered in snow. "We have had 2 major snow storms roll through the end off 2006 absolutely covering the desert in a blanket of white! It was great to fly with Paul, who flies the same speed as me. Rick is a yellow streak in the sky with his Astra/HKS and super fast wing!"