Features

Going through Air Force pilot training at what was Williams Air Force Base (now Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport), we used tactical call signs for our training flights, and one of those was “Foe.” The numeric portion of the call sign was determined by the last two digits (minutes) of your scheduled takeoff time One day, a […]

An integral part of the various jobs I’ve held for the last 37 years has involved reviewing aircraft accident reports and looking at data generated from them. During that time, what the NTSB euphemistically refers to as “maneuvering,” has remained in the top three causes of fatal accidents with usually about 40 percent of general […]

As we have reported in previous used aircraft articles, used piston twins are generally good deals in the current sales market. The Beech Baron, Travel Air, Piper Aztec and even the Beech Duke are all examples. On the other hand, for various reasons, the market for new piston twins remains relatively flat, and there are […]

Short-field landings are all about using excellent technique to get your airplane into a tight spot. That same technique, however, can put you in an even tighter spot when it’s time to leave. Most general aviation aircraft land shorter than they leave. This performance disparity can be subtle at sea level, where the two numbers […]

The Weekender’s SocialFlight events include a selection of Women of Aviation Worldwide Week gatherings that will run through the weekend. On Saturday,FlyQuest and Huntsville Executive Airport in Alabama will team up for a celebration of women’s contributions to the aviation community. There will be lots of airplanes, plus food, speakers and activities.All this week and […]

In Monday’s AVweb Flash, we ran an article from the March 2014 issue of Light Plane Maintenance entitled “The Dangers of Jump-Starting.” The article discussed an accident that occurred where the pilot of a Diamond DA-42 with a flat battery jump-started both engines—contrary to the POH. The pilot’s actions started an accident chain that culminated […]

Heard over north central Florida: Cirrus 123CD:“Jacksonville Center, Cirrus 123CD. 5,000.” Jacksonville Approach:“Mooney 123CD, altimeter 30.05. Fly heading 220.” [no reply] Jacksonville Approach:“Mooney 123CD, fly heading 220.” Cirrus 123CD:“Sir, was that for 123CD? Because you keep calling us a Mooney, but we are a Cirrus.” Jacksonville Approach:“Well, if you keep calling me ‘Center,’ I’m going […]

Within the cavernous FAA warehouses in Oklahoma City molders jetsam once vital to National Airspace System (NAS), such as NDBs, Terminal Control Areas, Flight Service Stations (FSS), GADO (General Aviation District Office) and, now, Flight Watch. Time was when you were cruising in your ’47 Navion with the canopy slid back, and the ADF pointing […]

The problem of jump-starting your plane is you have no idea of the condition of the battery once it starts, and it will be at least 90 minutes cruise or possibly not at all before the battery has any true backup value. A strong case can be made that you are operating an un-airworthy airplane, […]

According to GAMA statistics, there are 611,000 active pilots in the United States and only 223,000 registered general aviation aircraft. Even allowing for air taxi airplanes, clubs and partnerships, this means that lots of us are flying airplanes that we don’t own. Some of us rent from local flight schools, some borrow from friends. Few […]