Features

For many pilots, the first realization that the bellies of their airplanes are becoming hazardous waste sites is when ATC advises that their transponders are intermittent. Investigation reveals a layer of goo on the belly antennas, doing its best to block the signal. Frequently cleaning the by-products of engine operation—oil, grease, soot and other delicacies—off […]

Here’s a funny exchange I heard on the radio: Cessna Pilot (sounding like a nervous newbie):“Charlotte Approach, Cessna 12345 at 5,000. Would like to descend to 7,000.” Charlotte Approach:“Cessna 12345, I think you mean you’d like to climb to 7,000.” Cessna Pilot:“Uh, sorry. I’m still a new instrument pilot.” Charlotte Approach (chuckling):“Cessna 12345, climb and […]

What do you get when you mate a sleek and efficient composite airframe to a high-output Continental engine, advanced avionics and an ergonomic interior? Sales—and lots of them. This is evident by Cirrus Aircraft’s success with its SR22. That was the premise behind the original Columbia 300/350, the normally aspirated versions of the company’s flagship […]

Maintaining your IFR currency isn’t that hard. Just fly and log in actual or simulated conditions six instrument approaches, “holding procedures and tasks” and “intercepting and tracking” electronic courses within the preceding six months, and you’re golden. Even if you find yourself slightly out of currency in the 11th month, you can go out with […]

Most instrument rated pilots log about 10 percent of their flight time in IMC. That same percentage holds true for night operations. When you combine the two, encountering IMC at night is a rare occurrence for many. Most of us recognize that night IMC presents a high risk environment (statistically five-times more so than day […]

The Weekender’s SocialFlight calendar is already packed for the next two weekends at AirVenture in Oshkosh, and there’s plenty more to do if you’re flying to Wisconsin or looking for other destinations to check out over the next few days. If you’re heading to Oshkosh from the east, the Twin County Airport in Virginia is […]

Of all the major components of a conventional airplane, the tail—empennage, if you prefer—may be the least understood. Yes, we generally know it’s there to help balance and stabilize the airplane’s attitude in flight, and to help control yaw and pitch, but that’s often the extent to which we paid attention in ground school. If […]

It’s funny how a rendezvous with old friends can inspire acts of either derring-do or works of complete insanity. Sometimes you just can’t help yourself. I attended the Dawn Patrol Rendezvous in 2005, flying a Dennis Wiley-designed Jenny and came away with a terrible resolve after talking with Robert Baslee during the dedication dinner. We […]

The Weekender will put money down for the chance at some freebies – a tandem skydive in Michigan and a flight lesson in Vermont, all while enjoying vintage aircraft and live music at several events found on SocialFlight. Gould Peterson Memorial Airport in Tarkio, Missouri, will host EAA Chapter 1405’s 12th annual WingNuts Flying Circus […]

At San Carlos Airport, there is a lot of pilot training that occurs, so it is common to hear interesting radio calls. One day, a helicopter pilot reported to the tower:“We’re with you at 700 feet.”… but did not provide a location. The tower controller responded:“If I were in the airplane with you, where would […]