Loco Louies

I almost can't believe I did it. I planned a 200+ mile cross-country solo flight, all by myself, and actually flew it! It was an amazing feeling. This flight is a requirement for my private pilot's license. It didn't actually need to be 200 miles, 150+ would have been OK, but the airport destinations that I was interested in put me at a little over 200 miles, for a total of 3 hours on the HOBBS meter. (For those that don't know, that is the little meter in the plane that you use to track engine time and flight time) I left Phillipsburg (3I7) and headed for Hardin Co. Airport (I95). When I filed my flight plan, the operator thought I was saying I would take I-95 to the airport since I95[..]

Discretion is high on a customer's list of priorities when arranging a charter. Levels of confidentiality are beyond those requisite for programmed flights. Charter agents will sort customize the experience to meet client's speculations, with every case being different. Aircraft and charter agents put in place specialized luxury private jet travel. The agent works closely with his customer to ensure that each detail is attended to and that the client's wishes are adhered to. The broker will ensure that all the documentation for internal or international flights is completed correctly, especially where a foreign government requires secure operational clearance. Aircraft brokers and[..]

As flying commercial becomes more and more of a hassle with long lines, added baggage charges and reduced flying schedules, many businesses are turning to charter jet travel for their flying needs. But does chartering a private jet really make sense? The truth is, there is not a direct answer to that question. It depends on your travel situation and budget. Here are a few things to consider when booking your next flight to determine whether or not a private jet is for you: Is Your Schedule Flexible? Commercial jets take off at a specific time each day. With recent reductions in flights, these times can sometimes be at inconvenient times for the business traveler. Larger cities, however,[..]

The fastest and most exciting category, gas powered remote control cars can go as fast as 50 - 60+ miles per hour. The 1/8 gas cars go 70 - 80 mph in racing competitions. Also called nitro Remote Control Car because the hobby fuel used contains nitro methane to increase speed and power. Popular are the 1/10 on-road nitro touring cars. For beginners, electric remote control cars are the best... easier to control, build, and maintain. There are even ready to run (rtr) models that sell for less than $100. But I would recommend better models such as the HPI Sprint RTR and Associated TC3 RTR. Great reviews have been posted in rc car forums. If you prefer playing or racing indoors or have[..]

I am constantly amazed at how little it takes to make an interesting decor from a few bits and pieces. Of course it helps to have a theme which ties the whole thing together, and palm tree wall art can be done in many ways from cheaply to hugely expensive. The advantages of the cheaper version is that it can be a transitional or seasonal touch to bring the outdoors in or in some other way enhance the mood for a few months; and also help your vision become concrete before making that last-a-lifetime investment! So using the example of palm trees, a temporary beach theme could let the brightness of summer invade your living or sleeping space. Another popular decoration involving tree wall[..]

James Kenneth Johnson or Jimmie Johnson as he is fondly known as was born on September 17th in El Cajon, California. Johnson started out on two wheels rather than 4 like most NASCAR drivers. He was firmly attached to his 500cc motorcycle when he was five years old and despite being injured when he was 8, he went on to win the 60cc class championship although he could not complete the last few races in the season because of his knee. This paved the way of determination that was strong within Johnson. Johnson went on to compete in the Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group Stadium Racing series, SODA and SCORE International. All together, he managed to take back with him 25 wins, 100[..]

ext">I still remember the day when I broke my first RC car that was presented to me on my 5th birthday when the entire family was in vacation in Queensland! The same day, we went to a small local RC cars shop near by and as I entered I found myself surrounded with rc cars and rc trucks!! Soon, I set my eyes on a Tamiya Ford Ranger XLT. I bought that one and yes….i also laid my hands greedily on a rc truck! Well, that was all around 25 years ago, but my passion is still as young. Electric rc cars make use of a 7.2 volt battery and two electric motors. The rc car can speed up to 25 miles per hour and of course, this is the perfect start for the beginner. The best part of these electric rc[..]

type="text/javascript"> One thing that you really need to understand before you can build a toy plane that actually flies is what it is that makes planes fly in the first place. Luckily, with a little explanation, the basic scientific principles of plane flight aren't too difficult to understand. The key to flight, understandably, is the wings. Instead of flapping their wings like birds do, however, planes propel themselves forwards using an engine in much the same way a car does, and then rely on the shape of their wings to slowly lift them off the ground. But why do a plane's big, flat wings lift it off the ground? The answer is all to do with how the air travels over and under the[..]

If you've not put some articles on Squidoo yet you're missing out on a great way to make some extra cash. For those you don't know it, Squidoo is a bit like a blog or wiki with advertising. You can write about pretty much anything you like using the user friendly interface and the completed webpage, known as a lens, will carry advertising that you share in. The advertising programs available through Squidoo are AdSense, eBay, Amazon, Cafepress and more to come. On these programs you will receive 50% of the revenue generated by your ads. You can also include your own affiliate links to other programs, these are entirely your own. So why use Squidoo instead of building a website or blog?[..]

Optics workers will tell you they are often asked to recommend the best binocular for birders (bird watchers) To match the binocular to the birder it helps to first look at the needs of the birding enthusiast. What sort of optical demands must we consider? Well for one thing the birder need to see details like the patterns and color of feathers, often in dim light such as under a tree canopy or in twilight. They need good magnification so that they can easily identify birds at a distance and sometimes they will want to observe birds at very short distances so they want their binoculars to work for close focus observing too, maybe even down to just a few meters. They need true color[..]

Most people prefer to buy a plastic hood for their tank that includes a cover and lighting. Most packages contain either one or two fluorescent bulbs that are built in to the hood. This type of setup is very simple. You just place the hood on top of the tank, plug it in, and turn it on. Standard normal-output fluorescent bulbs are perfectly acceptable for fish-only tanks, but they will not be able to support photosynthetic animals, and they will not be bright enough to accommodate other marine animals than need extreme amounts of light to survive. Saltwater Reef Aquarium Lighting If you intend to create a reef aquarium, your lighting needs will be different. For example, even placing a[..]

The alligator gar, one of the largest North American fishes, occasionally reaches a length of over 8 feet and tops 300 pounds. It inhabits deep holes below sand bars in the channels of slow-moving streams or rivers. Fishing for it on a hot, murky day in a southern river is slow business. The Alligator Gar fights a rolling, jumping battle and can slash any line in seconds with the sharp edges of its teeth and armor-plated scales. To take this fish most anglers use heavy tackle plus about 15 feet of 50-pound test wire leader. Carp or drum serve as cut bait. Experienced anglers know to be patient when the alligator gar chews on their bait and then grabs it, stripping off as much as 50 yards[..]

In a reef aquarium, a marine ecosystem is simulated by the organisms as they interact with each other. Well-studied lighting, excellent water conditions, proper filtration and oxygen levels must all work together to contribute to a healthy, vibrant reef micro-system. What's In A Reef Aquarium? The saltwater reef aquarium community is made up of corals, anemones, sponges and fish that are normally found in reefs. This type of aquarium has a natural coral rock base on which a variety of organisms thrive. Moving along the corals and sponges are an assortment of colorful fish such as clown fish, Purple Tangs and angel fish, among others. Other invertebrates such as clams, snails, starfish[..]

One of the most frightening experiences for a parent is to lose sight of their child. No matter where this happens, in a crowded mall or at a 100 acre park, the feeling of panic can be overwhelming. To avoid such circumstances, GPS child tracking devices can be used to locate missing children. These tracking devices come in several different types and not all are appropriate for use by parents. Some of the more high tech devices are better suited for use by law enforcement agencies. Before making a purchase it is wise to learn some facts about the various GPS tracking systems that are available and how they work. First of all, some tracking devices work indoors and outdoors while[..]

Saltwater Aquarium Setup: Essential Gear You will need: - Aquarium Tank - Substrate (the bottom of the aquarium, such as sand or crushed coral) - Saltwater (water needed for the type of coral and fish you are maintaining) - Saltwater test kit (to monitor the nitrogen cycle that occurs in the aquarium ecosystem) - Hydrometer and thermometer (specifically for saltwater) - Filter and filter replacements (to cleanse the water from biological and chemical waste) - Power-head (to provide movement for the water) - Water heater (to keep water at a particular temperature) - Protein-skimmer (to prevent the growth of algae) - Scrubber (for cleaning algae off aquarium walls and rocks) - Fish food[..]

If you thought about getting a nitro RC car for yourself or someone you know, then choosing the perfect nitro RC car can be quite a dilemma. Yet, you can forget them worries and turn them into something pleasurable and thrilling after all. To get it all started, get to know the basics behind a nitro based RC car. First off, they are fueled by nitro gas. Nitro RC cars are the fastest and most popular segment in RC car hobbies today. In the RC car world, the smaller the car, the more pricey it is. On Road and Off Road Nitro Cars There are two kinds of nitro RC cars: off-road and on-road. On-Road cars are designed to be raced on paved streets or even race tracks. These can be raced where[..]

A remote control helicopter has always been the first choice of your kid. These miniature helicopters are just the replication of original full size versions but on a small scale. There has always been a discussion on how small the helicopter can be. It should be able to carry a motor, a receiver and batteries, which are essential parts without which the helicopter cannot fly. The helicopters are compact and needs less take off and landing space and due to its compatibility it can even fly on confined spaces. A remote control helicopter is easy to fly and is possible to fly in a large building. The miniature helicopter was possible only because of the ability to produce miniature[..]

Are you one of the millions who love racing radio controlled cars? If you're not, it's something that you should seriously take a look at. It's an absolute hoot! Motor sport (Indianapolis, Grand Prix etc) is one of the last sports strongholds that men can still call their own. Yes, there are plenty of women interested in it too, but predominantly it's a male orientated thing. But haven't you also had a hankering for driving one of those mean machines? I know that most guys have; but short of getting a day out on one of those entertainment race car circuits, that's as close as most of us ever get to it. Unless you're into owning and driving remote controlled cars, and in particular RC gas[..]

Here's another nugget of know-how to encourage you to get back to the basics of broadcasting. Today's tip: Be prepared! Being on-the-air and being in-the-air have some parallels. The term 'flying by the seat of your pants' is an old aviation expression for the act of successfully flying and landing an aircraft without access to functional instrumentation and/or proper communication. Granted, some brave pilots manage to pull off this stunt but it can be a dangerous and harrowing experience. Given a choice, most flyers would opt to have knowledge of where they are in the air and confirmation they are cleared to land safely. So as a broadcaster why would you ever choose to "fly by the seat[..]

Radios that communicate 2-ways are often referred to as walkie talkies. Many people own such 2 way radios and know the convenience they can provide when you need to communicate with someone who is no right near you. There are radios that will provide long distance rage communication. Many will go as far as 12 miles. The most commonly used walkie talkie devices are the ones that are hand held and contain a button on the side that you push to speak. They are great and come in very handy for many things. They are often used while camping, hiking, shopping, home projects, and even in businesses like construction. They provide a clear, easily accessible way to talk to someone who is not close[..]

Mini Walkie-Talkies are no longer something that only children used to enjoy. It has come a long way from being a toy and is now considered a very useful if not a mandatory requirement by some families and organisations. Walkie-Talkies use wireless signals that communicate with another walkie-talkie devices over a limited range. It becomes extremely important in patrols, drills, office issues and it is a fun thing to indulge in, during outdoor picnics or treks. Models like Motorola offer a more serious packaging however, still other models like Freetalker offer them in the form of wristwatches and these somehow become very important when jumpy teenagers are taken to crowded public areas.[..]

Few things can offer the freedom that a motorcycle tour provides. Whether it is a planned vacation with friends or a simple run into the countryside to feel some fresh air hitting your face, the invigoration is enormous. Since on such tours you are usually not riding alone, a very important aspect is communication with companion riders for coordination and help, or even just to chat for fun. There is such a wide selection of products that cover this need that you are guaranteed to find what you are looking for, for a price. Motorcycle intercoms can provide communication both with your passenger and with other riders. They come in many flavors, from simple wired solutions to wireless and[..]

Imagine you're coordinating a wedding and you need to be precise on the timing and the execution of things whether it's the catering, knowing when to play the music, starting the service, or even how to set up the venue. The correspondence and communication has to be precise in order for things to go off without a hitch (no pun attended). A perfect way to get the communication working at top-notch speed and precision is a two-way radio. In order for a two-way radio to work, you need to have two-way radio batteries that work and work well. Cell phones have the capability to handle the functions of a two-way radio, but time is of the essence in many scenarios that require the two-way radio[..]

I really cannot tell you just how great a solar or crank radio is. I have now had mine for over 11 years and it is still going strong. It may be spattered with paint, the solar panel may be a little cloudy because I left it out in the rain but it still works. They really are a great item that everyone should own. Not only do they save a lot on electric but they also are extremely portable and it means that you can listen to the radio anywhere that you go. I love the fact that I can take it with me anywhere and simply set it down and turn it on. If there is no sun then a quick crank of the handle and it works for hours. Of course the new designs are much more efficient now and it seems[..]

As I progressed through my radio broadcasting career I often wondered what made some radio stations sound really great and why other radio stations sounded very mundane and ordinary. It was only when I started to ask the questions of those who worked in those stations that it started to dawn on me that the process of making the station sound great was a strategy undertaken and implemented by management of those stations. The stations that weren't sounding so good also had something in common. They had no strategy on how their station was perceived by their listeners and left the process to chance. It is my view that radio is very special. It is intrusive, it is respected and it is[..]

Frequently Asked Questions Q). I have no prior experience of starting or operating radio station. Can I still start one? A)You do not need prior experience to create radio station. Most of the things are best learned on the job as you set up one. Most of the successful radio stations entrepreneur started as absolute novices some day. And the real successful ones still consider themselves to be novices. Every new venture needs to start up some where. Q) Does it require a fortune to set up a radio station? A) A good station can be started for as low as USD 30,000. The cost depends on how far you are capable or willing to spend. Most of the new omes start low and scale up over the years.[..]

The Mobile CB Radio has been around since the FCC created the classification in 1945, but really began to gain ground when solid-state technology was developed in the early 1960's. Operating on a selection of 40 channels within the 27-MHz (11 m) band, a license by the FCC isn't required, and CB radios are fairly inexpensive to buy. Used mostly by long-haul 18-wheel truckers to get road conditions and to provide company on lonely roads, the CB radio was made popular for "civilian" use by the movie "Smokey And The Bandit" in 1977. Starring Burt Reynolds, Sally Fields, Jerry Reed and Jackie Gleason, it's about a trucker and his friend transporting illegal beer cross country to a high-paying[..]

The radio has significantly evolved since its birth in 1891. In the last few decades since its debut, the radio has sky-rocketed its way to fame when everyone desired to obtain information, be entertained and exchange ideas 24/7 on the latest happenings in the world. Today, with the introduction of the internet, the radio has made its way to the word wide web for easy listening radio anytime and anywhere. This popular gadget has been widely used by adolescents and businessmen alike for their own purposes. Streaming online radio has been primarily introduced to the public in 1993 when Carl Malamud had a live talk show transmitted over the internet. This has somewhat expanded the range of[..]

A transmitter is the most vital and one of the most costly pieces of equipment that is required to set up a radio station. Thus a knowledge of the features of a transmitter is a must for any one planning to set up a radio station. The power of a transmitter is measured in watts and it is the most important feature to be looked into when buying a transmitter. The first thing that you will need to decide is the distance over which you want to be broadcasting. Higher the distance over which you intend to broadcast, more powerful would be the required transmitter. To give you an indication, a 1 Watt transmitter can broadcast in an approximate radius of 1 to 3 miles coverage. A 5 watt[..]

Starting a radio station requires you to break up all the activities into two broad parts - (1) Making the radio station business plan. & (2) Ground execution. You will be surprised to learn that most of the people who start a radio station spend 3-15 months just making the plan and only 2-3 months for actual ground execution. Benefits of a making your Radio station Business plan 1. It defines the key actionable and sets you into a progressive and definite action mode. 2. While drafting the plan one gets to know the ins and outs of the business. 3. The broadcast license application is judged based on the quality of the plan. 4. It is the only way to raise funds from banks, investors or[..]

A GMRS radio is a portable device that is used for short-distance communication in the United States. The letters GMRS are an Acronym that stands for General Mobile Radio Service. The service was first introduced in the 1960s and was called Class A Citizens Radio. As technology improved, fewer and fewer people utilized the service. Finally, the service changed its name to GMRS at which time the FCC required that all people who use the system obtain a license. In this article, we will be discussing exactly why the FCC requires people who communicate on a GMRS radio to file for a license. We are also going to briefly take you through the process and tell you what you need to do to obtain a[..]