This is a really old blog for me. You should go to Mark Time, my current blog, for more information.
posted by Mark Smith at 3:14 PM

FAA Medical

Next Monday, I'm scheduled to go for my FAA Medical Exam. I'm going to be eating clean (no caffeine, cut back on the calories) for a few days to get ready and to keep my blood pressure down.

It's interesting to see who the doctor's are who do these exams. One is an orthopedist, another is the Chief of Neurosurgery for a major university hospital! I guess they do these physicals to break up their day. Some are pilots, so they clearly do it to help others to fly. It can't be for the money - they're getting less than their usual hourly rate for these.

Some sites with info on getting an FAA Medical to become a pilot, or to hold some other air traffic related jobs:

FAA Page on Medicals - a few notes on getting an FAA medical.

Virtual Flight Surgeons - these folks will help push your case through the FAA for a largish fee. Probably a good idea if you have a serious condition. Lots of useful free stuff here, too.


posted by Mark Smith at 1:12 PM

I'm back again

Lately, I'm looking seriously into learning to fly (airplanes, not flapping my wings). At this point, since I have a few medical quirks that the FAA might have an issue with, I'm at the point of getting my medical. After that I'll have to find the right flying school and instructor.

Here are a few links:

Airplane Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) - They have a neat free 6-month membership and magazine subscription for student pilots

Cessna's Learn to Fly site



posted by Mark Smith at 1:52 PM

I'm back

Hello, world.

I started this blog last fall. Then, a few days later, September 11th happened. I suddenly lost interest in blogging.

Now, I'm back. My family survived 9/11 with no casualties. My brother Kent came closest to trouble - he was sitting on a plane at the gate at BWI airport when they stopped all flights. My brother-in-law's wife Yuri had been taking her English classes (she's Japanese) on the 9th floor of one of the building, but she stopped taking them when they got married in June, 2001 and moved to NJ.

I took a look at the proposed memorials for the World Trade Center site. I didn't like any of them alone, but I liked some of the ideas. The footprints of the towers should be left clear, and I prefer water over grass for those footprints. I think the final choice HAS to have two towers that are taller than anything in the area (though it doesn't look like they'll be over 100 stories) - this needs to show our defiance and will to prevail over the terrorists.

posted by Mark Smith at 12:47 PM

Notes about Me

In this note, I'm just throwing some information on the site to make search engines happy.

I'm originally from St. Louis, MO. My parents moved me to Tenafly, NJ when I was 9. I graduated from Tenafly High School a few years back (I'm not saying how many!).

I then went on to Rutgers University, specifically Rutgers College in New Brunswick. I met my wife, Carolyn, there.

I now live in Hamilton, NJ, outside Trenton.

I have season tickets to the Trenton Titans ECHL hockey team.

Carolyn and I have two cats.

posted by Mark Smith at 1:04 PM

Traffic Nerve Central

I went into Center City Philadelphia yesterday to see a demo of software that my company is thinking of buying. I ended up having an interesting experience on the way.

There's a company called SmarTraveler that does traffic reports for major cities. I'm signed up for their Philly network. They use a network of video cameras at important intersections, planes and helicopters, and "Road Reporters". I'm one of their Road Reporters. Their traffic information is also available on the website above and by calling a special cell phone number (#211).

The way the Road Reporter system works is: 1. You apply to be one (specifying your travel habits and commute routes). 2. They send you the special free cell phone number to call and give you a number. 3. Whenever you see a traffic problem (accident, construction, etc) you call them and tell them where it is, what lanes are open, and how long the backup is. Then, they put your information into their reports.

So what does that have to do with yesterday? On the way to the meeting, I called in a construction delay. As they often do, they asked where I was headed - so that they could give me advice on what to avoid. I told them what intersection the meeting building was at and I was asked "Are you coming here?" It turns out that they are located in the building across the street from where I was headed. The SmarTraveler person invited me to stop by if I had a few minutes. So, after my meeting, I did.

I arrived at the non-descript door on the 30th floor and rang the doorbell. A man stuck his head out and said "What do you want?" I explained who I was and he immediately got much more friendly and invited me and my co-workers in. We got the quick tour of the office, including the "Operations Room". It looked like a tiny version of Cheyenne Mountain's NORAD facility - lots of TV screens on the front wall with traffic cameras, a bunch of workstations with computers and police scanners, and some local TV logos on the wall. They do live TV traffic reports for channels 3 and 6 in Philadelphia during the rush hour news shows. We also got to see the gorgeous view from their office (and it was a perfect day for it).

So, thanks to the folks in the Philly SmarTraveler office for the quick tour, from "Mobile 78".


posted by Mark Smith at 10:44 AM

Rubber Ducky

My wife, for strange reasons, left the lyrics to Rubber Ducky (from Sesame Street) on the napkin in my lunch. I found this site while looking for something pithy to send back.

posted by Mark Smith at 2:26 PM

OK, folks. This is my Hello World post. I have no idea what I'll post, or even how long I'll keep this up.
posted by Mark Smith at 1:05 PM