Blog

Catalina Airport earns its “Airport in the Sky” title the moment you realize the runway sits on a mesa sixteen hundred feet above the Pacific with cliffs dropping away in nearly every direction. Built by blasting and leveling the island’s ridge, KAVX blends dramatic terrain, short-field skills and island weather into one unforgettable destination. With a sloped runway, frequent marine-layer surprises and no fuel on the field, it is an airport that rewards preparation and respect, and one that has become a rite of passage for Southern California pilots.

Published on November 16, 2025Airport of the Week

This week's Airport of the Week, KMMH - Mammoth Yosemite, is all about respecting two of aviation's biggest challenges: density altitude and mountain weather. At a field elevation of 7,135 feet, summer DA regularly soars past 10,000 feet, demanding ruthless POH calculations. But the second threat is the "Sierra engine," strong westerly winds that pour over the peaks, creating severe turbulence and mountain waves. This is a bucket-list destination that truly tests your skills as a weather-savvy pilot.

Published on November 9, 2025Airport of the Week

KMCD is pure aviation weirdness in the best way: 3,501 feet of concrete on a car-free island, no fuel, and your taxi after shutdown is a horse. In winter this little strip keeps the whole island alive. I talk weather traps, snow, fog, and why you don’t just “wing it” here.

Published on November 2, 2025Airport of the Week

After a month of intense coding, the device's ePaper display is now faster than ever, with sub-second refreshes. Plus, the mobile app hits TestFlight, and the 3D printer is back online. Check out the latest update on the project!

Published on October 10, 2025

Both my resin printer and my trusty Bambu FDM printer broke down. Instead of getting frustrated, I decided to pivot and focus on a new part of the project: the PaperMETAR mobile app. Check out the sneak peek of the app in this post.

Published on September 7, 2025Technical

Welcome to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, where the aviation world converges at Wittman Regional Airport for an unparalleled celebration of flight! I am thrilled to return this Friday and Saturday, eager to explore vintage aircraft, witness incredible aerobatic displays, and soak in that unique Oshkosh atmosphere. If you are also making the trip, or are already there, I would love to connect. Reach out via my contact page at papermetar.com/contact, and let us swap stories!

Published on July 23, 2025

The electronics for my PaperMETAR prototype are ready, but creating a professional enclosure for a small 200-unit run has been a challenge. Standard FDM 3D printing isn't cutting it, and industrial injection molding is financially out of reach. In this post, I share my deep dive into the world of resin (MSLA) printing, documenting the initial failures, the painstaking calibration process, and the unexpected hurdles that have led me to my next experiment: urethane casting.

Published on July 14, 2025

This week, I'm exploring California's beautiful but treacherous Half Moon Bay Airport (KHAF). On a clear day, it's a stunning coastal flight, but it's infamous for what one pilot called "the shortest 24-hour round trip in the bay." This joke stems from the stealthy marine fog that can roll in suddenly, trapping VFR pilots who made the quick hop over from sunny inland airports. A beautiful destination and a masterclass in respecting coastal weather, KHAF demands a constant eye on the forecast unless you're packing an overnight bag.

Published on June 27, 2025Airport of the Week