Features

The Weekender’s Fourth of July will be packed with stuff to fly to and enjoy, as seen on the SocialFlight calendar. For Independence Day fun with grassroots flying, there’s the Ogle County Airport’s summer Best in the Midwest breakfast in Illinois. The fixings include pancakes, Eichmans ham and sausage, hash browns, eggs, blueberry topping, applesauce, […]

Flying from Boeing Field in Seattle to the San Juan Islands, I was monitoring the departure frequency when I heard a pilot report that he’d seen an eagle near the inbound course to 12 right at BFI. An unknown pilot asked:“What was he squawking?” Ed Griswold (Griz)

Pilots decide to buy their own airplane for a variety of reasons. It could be a business decision, helping ensure coverage of a relatively wide sales area, or perhaps an aerial photography business. Specialized flight training—like acro, or a quicky instrument rating—also can be a reason. Recreation or personal transportation is yet another. One of […]

If age mellows people, the same might be said for airplanes, at least if the airplane in question is Mooney’s M20K series. The airplane arrived in the GA market at a time when turbocharging was relatively new and the demand for high-flying aircraft was thin. Mooney didn’t get the M20K’s turbocharging system right on the […]

Flight instructors often note to the student, early in the training cycle, that there are back-up systems in case the primary equipment fails. However, with respect to the single engine purring away on the nose of the aircraft they will often add, “Don’t worry, they hardly ever fail, and if it does, the airplane will […]

A scroll through The Weekender’s SocialFlight calendar has turned up big airshows in the heartland to GA-friendly fly-ins back East that offer a bit of everything. The skies above Olympia, Washington, will come alive this weekend when the Olympic Air Show flies into town. The show is hosted by the Olympic Flight Museum and takes […]

I just started flying my new-to-me Corby Starlet (only four flying in the U.S.A!), and on my first trip into Santa Rosa, California, STS, a KingAir pilot at the hold line asked the tower:“What is that little plane that just landed?” She came back:“I’ll have him tell us.” My response was:“N8I Charlie Charlie — an […]

One of the centerpieces of any aircraft refurb is upgrading the interior. It can be as basic as recovering the seats, but usually involves a complete redo of the headliner, side panels, carpet and upholstery. As the insulation is often stripped out and replaced as well, it’s a good time to install soundproofing. One thing […]

Father’s Day weekend has lots in store on SocialFlight and The Weekender only has to decide which way to head — east or west. Starting with Washington state, there’s an all-day, family-friendly event in store, hosted by EAA Chapter 782. The Columbia River Chapter Air Meet will take place on Saturday at Pearson Field. It […]

As a long-time IA and A & P mechanic and pilot I look at airplanes with a somewhat different eye than pilots. My purpose, whether it’s actually inspecting an aircraft, flying one or writing about my experiences, is safety. Most certificated aircraft owners should know what the meaning of airworthy is and that there are […]