Best Web Links

<><><><> Aviation Interests <><><><>

Seattle Post-Intelligencer Aerospace Blog is no simple blog, this is a top notch daily newspaper in a community that is aerospace centered and this is their blog.

Aces Flying High—a blog chock full of aviation history and events from near and far. Scads of images from an accomplished traveler with comprehensive as well as insightful writing.

Pickled Wings—a blog about preserved aircraft of all eras. Whether in museums, collections or wherever, Kevan V most often finds the human connection in their stories and his writing is throughly enjoyable. The fact he is based in Eastern Europe also opens his travel experiences beyond those of North American based sources.

The Aviationist—formerly known as David Cenciottie’s Weblog: aviation from a different perspective — the author is a professional journalist, a retired pilot with the Italian Air Force and a wonderful photographer. He gives a refreshing Italian perspective, from a professional, of aviation. His books are top notch and he covers current dramatic aviation news with insight and objectivity.

Vintage Aeroplane Writer by James Kightly, a professional aviation author and journalist, is a wonderfully written blog from Australia. Historical subjects are treated thoroughly with facts and photos (many not commonly seen) with current events are addressed, as well.

Old Machine Press—William Pearce has a niche in writing about vintage machines, the knowledge and importance of which are becoming lost to history. Often he writes of rare aircraft and their engines—in a researched and documented way.

Jet City Star—a blog run by Isaac Alexander (one who knows the industry and technology) about aviation and aerospace in the Seattle–Puget Sound area.

First in Aviation—thorough and accurate posts on aviation’s history written by Timothy Jabez Newman

Peter Singhatey–Just Love Flying—a skilled writer who writes about flying, delightfully refreshing and educational

Apron 6 is run by two aviators, Giel Sweertvaegher and Bob Vellemen who photograph as well as write about the joy of aviation these two experience. Apron 6 is populated with excellent original photos and inspired bits of prose.

AirSpotter blog is written by Malek Vanzura with several years of European based photos and more. It is written in Czech and the images more than speak for themselves.

American Aerospace written by an aerospace executive it has concise historical summaries and opinion. This blog, too, is a private one that is hosted by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

achtung, skyhawk! a pleasing blog from a pilot of a Cessna Skyhawk, not a Douglas Skyhawk. The blogger’s name is Boran Pivčić (Zagreb, Croatia) — he writes with a passion, provides artistic and illustrative photos and is in a part of the world far removed from the USA — so his material is fresh.

Passion Pour l’Aviation written in French by a pilot, air traffic controller and enthusiast. The photos and writing are very good and he lives in France so the material is fresh for me as it is not from a USA perspective. I use Google’s language tools to provide translations. The blog also has a huge list of aviation related links — this list is quite a resource.

神風 Kamikaze Images is a living encyclopedia-like web site written and researched by William Gordon. He has learned the language, traveled to sites and interviewed many people and continues to do so. References abound, information on the many museums, shrines and monuments are given along with reviews of books and films. There is much more to the site than can be written here. As a bonus he also keeps an update page so the site can be visited quickly to ascertain if changes pertinent to the reader’s interest have been made. This site is rare as it explores the multiple and complicated aspects of Japan’s Special Attack Units in WW II — a subject only being correctly addressed in the USA quite recently.

International Council of Airshows, Inc. an international resource for airshow schedules, performers and business resources regarding airshows

<><><><> Reference <><><><>

Panoramio for viewing geographically referenced photos of the world. If it’s worth photographing, you’ll probably see it here.

Wikipedia for searching out information as well as references for further research.

Google Earth for viewing sites and finding routes.

Bing also for viewing sites — especially the Bird’s Eye View — and finding routes.

Airliners.net a great repository of photos, I go to the photos of the last 24 hours most often to find sites and displays but there is also a great search engine there.

神風 Kamikaze Images is a living encyclopedia-like web site written and researched by William Gordon. He has learned the language, traveled to sites and interviewed many people and continues to do so. References abound, information on the many museums, shrines and monuments are given along with reviews of books and films. There is much more to the site than can be written here. As a bonus he also keeps an update page so the site can be visited quickly to ascertain if changes pertinent to the reader’s interest have been made. This site is rare as it explores the multiple and complicated aspects of Japan’s Special Attack Units in WW II — a subject only being correctly addressed in the USA quite recently.

Skytamer.com is a site full of resources — especially the museum listings (which has museums, static display sites and the like).

<><><><> A Welcomed Change of Pace <><><><>

The Caffeinated Traveller — coffee, tea and travel destinations (real ones) written by a woman who doesn’t do top ten lists or follow the tour guides — it’s what to to do along the way to aviation sites!

Shortfinals’s Blog a fusion blog that covers aviation and other interesting areas of life. A fusion blog I would say since he covers a gamut from culture and history to aviation and aeronautics. It is also a very good since centered in the UK (though he gets around) as well as addressing the NY Yankees. The range and depth of his knowledge is vast.

The renewed Shortfinal’s Blog!

<><><><> Retired (or long periods between posts) But Still Good to Review Blogs <><><><>

Shortfinals’s Blog a fusion blog that covers aviation and other interesting areas of life. A fusion blog I would say since he covers a gamut from culture and history to aviation and aeronautics. It is also a very good since centered in the UK (though he gets around) as well as addressing the NY Yankees. The range and depth of his knowledge is vast.

Indy Transponder an especially good source regarding the air show news genre.

JetCheck as the blog’s subtitle states — is is about airlines, airports and aviation manufacturing. It is hosted as a private blog by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Note 15 September 2010: alas, this blog has been retired but the previous posts can still be viewed.

Aircrew Buzz a thorough blog regarding the airline industry and its aircraft. There has not been a post since 24 January 2011 and there is no explanation for the hiatus — let us hope the writer is well.

Airships: a Hindenburg and Zeppelin History Site the site’s name does not quite say it all as all manner of rigid airships are covered — as well as a few special blimp posts. The posts are informative and cover aspects not usually addressed by others, making for greater awareness of these air ships from a bygone aviation era. As a special bonus — this web log is authored by an educated historian and it tells in the information as well as writing.

Euan Cameron’s Blog — Euan lives in the hometown of one of the world’s best aviators, Jean Batten, Rotorua New Zealand. He keeps a sharp eye on the aviation scene there and it shows in this blog. 

Trails Through Time: short trips on the long road of aviation history — formerly entitled, Aviation Trivia of the Day: short trips on the long road of aviation history — covers aviation history succinctly and thoroughly in a well written style. JP Santiago also covers aspects of aviation history not often recalled or retold — but ones that should be.