While my son was in for Christmas I learned about some things he was doing that struck me and I wanted to share.

On his flights there are many of his passengers that are kids. Kids are very inquisitive and want to peep inside the cockpit. As often as he can upon boarding or unloading he will allow a kid (one at a time) to come up to the flight deck and sit in his seat and look around as he answers their many questions. When they leave he gives them a set of "Junior Wings" to pin on their shirt. He buys these trinkets and keeps them in his flight bag for kids. The FAA requires him to have updated sectional maps for the areas he flies (these come out about every 90 days so the old ones accumulate). Rather than throw them away he gives these out as well. Kids think this is so awesome. Some of the other pilots have begun to do it too. Kids come away really charged up with their aviation map and Junior wings.

He has asked me not to mention his company name or pictures because what he does is not in the guide lines (but nothing says he can't either). So, all I will say is it that a well-known major airline.

TRIVIA: All major air carriers in the USA have the American flag painted somewhere on the plane. T/F?

If the image of the flag becomes faded or obsured, will the plane be grounded because it is a "NO GO" item and will not be flown? T/F?

ANSWER: (below)

TRUE=The FAA requires ALL air carriers to display an American Flag (Domestic & International) of a minimun size.

TRUE=If the flag becomes faded or obscured by more than 30% the airlane IS grounded and CANNOT be flown. (My son's plane has had to have a laminated flag TAPED onto the side of the plane (with special tape) in order to fly back to a maintenance hub to have the flag repainted, as per FAA regulations.