Pilot New Year's Resolution: Bomber Camp

Good morning! Welcome to the first newsletter of 2025. It’s going to be a great year for Flybuyer and general aviation as a whole (I’m calling it now); let’s get to it! 🛩️
-Rob Roy

In today’s email:

• The Ultimate WWII Aviation Experience

• Around the Skies: Blue Origin prepares for launch, Modernizing Part 141 flight school regulations, December was not kind to aviation, NASA’s newest Mars helicopter

• PilotTube: Start Every Day With Aerobatics

THE BUSINESS OF AVIATION

Hands-On With History: A Day at Bomber Camp

The B-17 Flying Fortress is more than an airplane—it’s a symbol of a time when freedom teetered on the edge. These majestic machines carried young men into the perilous skies of World War II, bristling with 13 .50-caliber guns and the weight of the free world on their wings. While its iconic silhouette captures the spirit of American ingenuity, its true legacy lies in the bravery of the 10-man crews who endured flak, fighters and frostbite to complete their missions.

Enter Bomber Camp, a unique experience in Stockton, California, where aviation enthusiasts can step into the boots of a WWII bomber crew. Founded by Taigh Ramey in 2008, Bomber Camp immerses participants in the gritty reality of a B-17 mission. Reenactors in period-correct uniforms guide “students” through classes in bombing theory, navigation and air-to-air gunnery, all set against a backdrop of authentic WWII equipment. From the mess hall chow line to hands-on training with the Norden bombsight and ball turret, Bomber Camp is as real as it gets—minus enemy fire.

The star of the show is the meticulously restored B-17 Ye Olde Pub, flown down by the Erickson Aircraft Collection. Crews reconfigure the bomber to its combat-ready state, complete with working guns, bomb shackles and other wartime hardware. Participants suit up, attend safety briefs and take their positions aboard the Flying Fortress as its four mighty radial engines roar to life.

Bomber Camp isn’t just a history lesson; it’s a chance to connect with the past in a visceral, unforgettable way. From the rumble of the engines to the sights and smells of an operational B-17, it brings history alive in ways museums simply can’t match. Whether you’re a history buff, aviation enthusiast or just someone seeking a unique adventure, Bomber Camp offers a rare opportunity to step into the pages of history and take to the skies. Bomber Camp 2025 kicks off May 2, starting at 0700 hours. 😮

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AROUND THE SKIES

🛩️ Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket is nearly ready for its inaugural flight after successfully completing a key hotfire test and securing FAA approval. At 320 feet tall, it is designed to carry large payloads for NASA and Amazon. The rocket’s reusable first stage will attempt a landing similar to SpaceX’s booster recovery.

🛩️ The FAA is set to modernize Part 141 flight school regulations, starting with a public meeting on March 6, to gather input. The proposed updates aim to address certification standards, integrate technological advancements and enhance safety measures. With regulations dating back to the 1940s, this overhaul seeks to bring flight schools up to modern standards while reducing accidents.

🛩️ December was a somber month for aviation around the globe, marked by devastating crashes that claimed hundreds of lives. The Jeju Air disaster in South Korea, which killed 179 people, and the Azerbaijan Airlines crash linked to suspected Russian air-defense fire, are among the most tragic. These incidents, along with others throughout the year, serve as a stark reminder of the risks in aviation and the ongoing need for robust safety measures and conflict resolution in shared airspace.

🛩️ NASA has unveiled a rendering of its next-generation Mars helicopter, nicknamed “Chopper,” designed as a more advanced successor to the “Ingenuity” Mars Helicopter. About the size of an SUV, the conceptual six-rotor craft could carry science payloads up to 11 pounds and travel 1.9 miles per Martian day, enabling detailed exploration of terrain inaccessible to rovers.

PilotTube

Jimmy Hayes, warbird owner and pilot, describes his passion for introducing people to aerobatics along with details about his L-39 and PC-7.

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