Fabulous Affairs with Aircraft and Federal Aviation Airheads

This book is a collection of many experiences by the author when he was a design engineer, pilot, and an aerospace engineer in association with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The book, chapter by chapter, hosts a series of his encounters - occasionally risky - of times investigating aircraft accidents and witnessing certification tests. Often the encounters were with fellow FAAers who were great men in the FAA and others who believed they were God's gift to aviation - Little Tin Gods of FAA. In addition, there are tales of development of unusual aircraft, outstanding men in the aviation industry, and stories involving flight test pilots. In addition, the author included some events with his own designed airplane, "Ophelia Bumps" and when he flew a midget racer, "The Rare Bird."

The demand for aircraft airworthiness, aviators, and aircraft operation safety standards, dates back to the days of the barnstormers. Those stunt pilots and daredevils painted a colorful chapter in aviation history, but left a trail of carnage across the country. Accidents and crashes drove the aviation public to demand government controls. This is where Fabulous Affairs with Aircraft begins - a brief history of events leading up to the present FAA and to when he became involved in aviation.

The book should be of considerable interest to all who fly, have flown, aspire to fly, or become aerospace engineers. Still, the book is an exciting narrative for anyone who likes adventure and for those concerned with federal bureaucratic practices.

A LOOK INSIDE THE BOOK

Meet the designer of the Atom Bomb structure.

Fly in a midget racer 50 feet above the ground at 150 mph - Inverted!

Witness the disintegration of the Boeing 737-200 wing during testing.

Participate in the L-1011 emergency evacuation test and other FAA certification tests.

Learn what it is like to work inside the FAA as an aerospace engineer.

Read stories of FAA engineers and inspectors who saw themselves as "God's gift to aviation"- referred to as "FAA Little Tin Gods."

Enjoy reading stories of interesting aircraft development projects, expert FAA and industrial engineers, inspectors, and flight test pilots.

A story of international intrigue is told about the helicopter modification program conducted in Santiago, Chile. The program became known as the "Chile Copter Project."