Randy Bolinger

As aircraft evolved to fly higher, faster, and farther, the effects of jet lag began to manifest. In the mid-1960s, the term jet lag began to appear in the lexicon to describe the fatigue, insomnia, performance decline, mood swings, and even gastrointestinal issues associated with long-range jet travel. Jet lag is more complicated than just the result of becoming fatigued from ripping through time zones at high subsonic speed.

By Randy S. Bolinger Aircraft manufacturers often demonstrate an affinity for something with their model names. Some have named aircraft after birds like Falcon, Swift, and Goose. Piper showed an affinity for Native American culture with tributes like Seneca, Cheyenne, and Navajo. The Swedish Air Force version (SK–61) of the Scottish Aviation Bulldog at home in the subfreezing temperatures above Lake Erie. In Beechcraft’s case, royal titles inspired the model names Baron, Duke, and King Air.

For aircraft owners, every hour flown reduces the value of the aircraft with a significant financial decision looming when the engine reaches time between overhauls (TBO). There is also a TBO spec measured by trips around the sun regardless of how many hours the engine has been spinning. TBO is the original equipment manufacturer’s recommendation for overhaul based on tens of thousands of testing hours and data analysis compiled from engines in service.