Features

Years ago, like 1960, I was a newly hired DC-3 co-pilot for Continental Air Lines. We could fly either VFR or IFR, depending the weather situation at the time. Needless to say, we went for VFR whenever we could. [One day,] the weather wasn’t the greatest, but we thought VFR would work. Called ground for […]

Engine overhauls give even the most experienced aircraft owners a case of the willies. Beyond the “it’s going to be really expensive,” there are numerous issues to face and decisions to make—choosing a shop; deciding on the type of overhaul, or a factory reman, and what to do about the engine accessories are some that […]

It wasn’t long ago that an entry-level, two-axis autopilot was priced around 10 grand—including installation. Today, that price is double. Add some options and the bottom line could soar toward $30,000. These big proposals have many owners repairing older autopilots. But as service parts for older systems become obsolete, repair costs are high, downtime is […]

The Weekender can’t get enough of wings and wheels, and there’s plenty of both on SocialFlight.In Bluefield, West Virginia, on Saturday, the second annual Wings & Wheels Car Show/Fly-In will take place at Mercer County Airport. In its first year the event had more than 100 cars registered and 250 free airplane rides went to […]

En route from TRK to RHV recently in Centurion 7RR, I found myself on the same center frequency as Bonanza — 5JJ! I was really tempted to tell center:“7 Romeo Romeo would like to connect with 5 Juliet Juliet.” But I didn’t want to start a feud, so I bit my tongue and said nothing. […]

The pre-flight inspection is something we learn about during our first flight lesson. We poke, prod, uncowl, measure and eyeball various fluids and components while the airplane is still safely on the ramp, all to help decide if it’s safe to fly. Yet, once we take off, we often find we missed something. Hopefully, what […]

The Weekender is packing tents, sleeping bags and plenty of provisions for some backcountry events found on SocialFlight. Starting Friday, Blue Mountain Air Park in Lafayette, Georgia, will host its annual spring fly-in at the Gibson Field private grass strip. Primitive camping is open Friday and Saturday nights for pilots, with evening bonfires and grills […]

Instrument pilots take far more checkrides than their more visually oriented counterparts. In addition to the initial rating check, you occasionally face an instrument competency ride when you are more than six months out of currency. Most times when you add a rating, like a multi-engine ticket, you’ll be expected to show off your gauge […]

Overheard this while working in the pattern with a student years ago. Along the Connecticut coast, airports ABC and XYZ were often mistaken for each other by pilots. One day a student pilot pilot called in and was told to call a four-mile final for the active runway. When he did report on final, the […]

Want to start an argument on an online aviation forum or while having a $200 hamburger with your buds? Express an opinion on flap use on landing in a light single. The responses you’ll get are aviation’s form of red states versus blue states. The no-flap or partial-flap crowd points to a number of Owner’s […]