Features

Tri City Departure: Cessna 12345, squawk 4305 Cessna 12345: Tri City, um, we just noticed we are missing the knob for the last dial on the transponder. Tri City Departure: What number is it on? Cessna 12345: Zero Tri City Departure: Standby, let me see if I can get you a code that ends in […]

For at least the last 40 years, the precautionary, off-airport landing has rarely been taught. It’s certainly not required on a checkride and pilots who have a mechanical or weather problem are taught to go to the nearest airport and only attempt to land “out” (as glider pilots say) when the engine actually quits. Pilots […]

Partial panel is often viewed as a loss of vacuum instruments—the gyros. In reality you have a partial panel any time you lose one or more of the required instruments regardless of how they are powered or even their particular function. Losing any instrument deprives you of information that may have a crucial impact on […]

Looking to fly somewhere for free food? SocialFlight.com has some options plus camp-out events for The Weekender.EAA Chapter 1479 in Missouri willhost a fly-in Saturday to kick off the Sound of Speed Airshow and Concert, sponsored by the city of St. Joseph and the 139th Airlift Wing. Fly-in pilots eat free and arrivals can receive […]

Climbing out of my home airport with our friendly (and funny) tower controllers, I heard: Tower: Cardinal XYZ, check transponder. XYZ: Turning it on, sorry, guys, XYZ. Tower: Cardinal XYZ, never admit your mistakes on frequency, just say it was warming up. XYZ: All warmed up! XYZ. Tower: That’s the spirit. Daniel Rasin

As the pilot population ages a significant portion of the graybeards (female and male) are now interrupting their muttering about the unfairness of a pilot shortage happening when they’re no longer in a position to take advantage of it with entering into conversations as to when it’s going to be time to pull the mixture […]

The sun was just peeking through the windows of tech support when Jim set down his morning coffee to answer the cell phone. “Hi, Jim? Would you be able to walk me through dressing a deer?” Caught by surprise and used to always doing his best to help the customer, Jim stammered the first thing […]

Weekend-long events coming up on SocialFlight.com include everything from hot air balloons to F-16 flybys. Join EAA Chapter 55 for Mason Aviation Day in Michigan on Saturday, featuring a pancake breakfast, grilled steak lunch, and lots of aircraft plus helicopter and plane rides. Gift bags will go to the first 59 registered pilots. In California, […]

Walla Walla Regional Airport (KALW) tower provided instructions to an incoming flight. “Cessna XXXXXX, incoming Alaska Q400 number two behind you. Make your best speed.” Response: “Walla Walla Tower, Cessna XXXXXX is a 152 and I’m pedaling as fast as I can!” Mark Carlile

While number four for takeoff on a 95-degree day, windows and doors open to catch any puff of moving air, every pilot ever minted has wished for air conditioning. With installed units starting at over $4500 and eating up at least 50 pounds of useful load, most owners are willing to sweat a bit and […]