Features

“I’m shopping for insurance.” We hear this phrase all the time, but what does it really mean when it comes to protecting your plane—whether it’s still in hundreds of pieces or it has hundreds of hours in the air? It’s not like you’ll be taking a trip to the airplane mall and comparing makes, models, […]

Winter doldrums won’t stop the Weekender from heading out as SocialFlight has a few fun and informative events, all indoors. On Friday in Atlanta, Fulton County Airport’s Aviation Community Cultural Center-Contemporary Gallery opens its new aviation photography exhibit featuring 21 large prints by aviation photographer John Slemp. Southern Maine Aviation in Sanford will host a […]

Last November, I transported 40 endangered sea turtles (stranded on Cape Cod) from the Boston area to a turtle rescue center center in Georgia. I put “transporting endangered sea turtles” in the comments section of my IFR flight plan and had two interesting exchanges on the trip. — Providence Approach (PVD):“69 Tango, how’s your cargo […]

The Piper Archer, aka the Cherokee 180, is a four place, low wing, single-engine airplane. It is a common upgrade from entry-model trainers. Slow with unremarkable handling characteristics, the Piper Archer is a safe, stable plane, that is easy to land even on short runways. Piper Cherokee Beginnings and Competition In the heady days of […]

One of the highest uses for a general aviation airplane is to take your family someplace enjoyable. Done right, the trip is much faster than in the family car and a heck of a lot more fun for all involved. I won’t even comment about the joys of family travel on the airlines, baggage fees […]

The Weekender’s fly-in season has already begun, as far as breakfast is concerned. TheSocialFlightcalendar has plenty of choices in warm and wintry climates to suit your taste. EAA Chapter 237 in Blaine, Minnesota, invites all for its mid-winter famous pancake breakfast on Saturday, where a donation will get you a big plate and a boost […]

Ask aircraft owners about their experience with an annual inspection and you are likely to get many different opinions and scary tales of what was and wasn’t done. Unfortunately, there are shops and mechanics doing business haphazardly and that have little concern for customer service. I have been an IA mechanic and shop owner for […]

While landing a Beech Sierra at Sioux City Gateway Airport (KSUX) one blustery summer day (winds 32, gusting to 40, more or less straight down the runway), I chose to use full flaps in an attempt to achieve the minimum possible landing roll — just for practice. Well the gusts got the best of me. […]

Why do holiday newsletters begin with, “It’s hard to believe another year has passed”? Have we not yet accepted the earth’s orbit around the sun? Or is it truly unfathomable that no matter what reality dictates we’re doomed to repeat the same dumb things year after year? And I’m not just addressing you folks in […]

Here’s a common scenario: You bring your airplane to the avionics shop for its 24-month IFR pitot and static system certification and the tech says you’ll be wheels up in a couple of hours. Thirty minutes later while you’re cooling your heels in the pilot lounge, the technician tracks you down with news you don’t […]