It has been a bad week for planes and pilots as this first story shows:

Plane takes off without pilot at vintage airshow

A runaway aircraft took off on its own when the pilot could not get into the cockpit on time after swinging the front propellor. The classic biplane ran in circles on the ground at speeds of up to 60mph before taking off and flying on its own for 200m. It then crashed into trees at the edge of Goodwood airfield on Sunday.

As bad as that story was, it is not nearly as bad as a plane landing without the pilot… alive.

Passenger lands plane in Florida after pilot dies

Doug White and his family had just enjoyed a smooth takeoff and were ascending through the clouds when the pilot guiding their twin-engine plane tilted his head back and made a guttural sound.

The pilot, Joe Cabuk, was unconscious. And though White had his pilot’s license, he had never flown a plane as large as this.

Perhaps planes should be put to better use… like using them as hotels.

Costa Rican Airplane Hotel Takes Flight

If you have fantasies of living like the Swiss Family Robinson or even the characters in Lost, this rainforest resort near Quepos, Costa Rica may be just the ticket. Situated on the edge of the Manuel Antonio National Park, the Costa Verde Resort features an incredible hotel suite set inside a 1965 Boeing 727 airplane. In its former life the airplane transported globetrotters on South Africa Air and Avianca Airlines, and it now serves as a two bedroom suite perched on the edge of the rainforest overlooking the beach and ocean.

Where will you find the most forgiving people in the world? Perhaps in Uruguay.

What’s going on in…Uruguay?

The people of Uruguay tend to be extremely tranquilo – they drink mate and aren’t generally worried about the exact time of day. At the same time, Uruguayos tend to be politically active, especially this year, as they will vote in November for their new president and on various bills.

One of these bills calls for annulling the law called “La Ley de Caducidad (The Law of Expiration).” This is a law passed in 1986 after the 12-year military dictatorship ended (1973-1985). It gives impunity to the dictatorship’s military officials for their human rights violations, among other crimes. No, you did not read this incorrectly.

As we mentioned in Travel to Zimbabwe - Amateur Traveler Episode 158, Zimbabwe has been living with incredible runaway inflation of its currency. Finally this week Zimbabwe gave in to the inevitable.

Zimbabwe dumps own currency

In a move not entirely unexpected, the Zimbabwean government and the Central Bank of Zimbabwe decided over the Easter weekend to throw their own worthless currency out of the window, replacing it with foreign currency use for at least a year and possibly much longer to allow the country to recover from hitting rock bottom.

Record inflation, despite several currency “reforms,” which over the years slashed dozens of zeros off the local “Zimbabwe dollar,” runs at more than 230 million percent, a figure previously not seen anywhere else in the global economy.

Other articles that caught my eye:

• Welcome to the National Travel Writing Month
• Top 10 travel technology trends for 2009
• Winging It: Facing the ‘new normal’ - The travel industry fears revenue is down to levels that may be typical for years.

Good thing that Heathrow’s airport security was paying attention.

‘Drunk’ United Airlines pilot arrested at London airport

LONDON � A United Airlines pilot was arrested at London’s Heathrow Airport on suspicion of being over the legal alcohol limit, police confirmed on Monday.
The airline said the pilot, 44, was removed from service, adding that it would co-operate with police inquiries and was conducting its own investigation of the incident.

Here is a great opportunity to see Paris though the eyes of locals.

Smiling Parisians show you their city, for free

The city of light has an unfortunate blight: the locals’ reputation for rudeness. That’s why a group of friendly Parisians have banded together to show complete strangers around their Paris, the one not found in travel books � for free. And forget stereotypes of the francais-only French. The Paris Greeters are happy to speak English, or nine other languages of your choosing. These local volunteers are not certified tour guides, but regular folks eager to show off delicacies at their favorite boulangerie, or point out a tranquil park perfect for watching autumn shades fill in the famous skyline.

Here is a good opportunity to save money if you travel by train in the US.

Amtrak offers discount pass to U.S. residents

Amtrak’s USA Rail Pass is now available for purchase in the U.S. Until recently, the pass could only be bought by travelers who lived outside the country. The passes are available for 15, 30 and 45 days of travel. The 15-day pass offers eight segments of travel for $389. The 30-day pass offers 12 segments of travel for $579. The 45-day pass offers 18 segments of travel for $749.

Since this week’s Amateur Traveler will be on Zimbabwe, I found this story interesting. We will be talking about what happened in Zimbabwe.

Iceland for sale on eBay

LONDON (Reuters) - Great scenery and wildlife but financial situation in need of repair - collect in person. Iceland, which is going cap in hand to Russia for a 4 billion euro loan to bail out its failed banks, was offered for sale as a wholesale lot on eBay on Friday. Bidding started at 99 pence but had reached 10 million pounds by mid-morning on Friday.

Zimbabwe tourism fair ends in a “not-so-little” way

Bulawayo, Zimbabwe (eTN) � Hundreds of Zimbabweans joined international travel buyers, sellers and journalists to commemorate the end of this year�s edition of the Sanganai World Travel and Tourism Africa Fair, Zimbabwe�s travel and tourism world exhibition.
Billed as �Africa Tourism Night,� the event was held at the main arena of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair grounds and showcased both local and international talents.