Features

It seems there’s always a Piper Arrow on the ramp as well as a good selection of them on the used market. Flight schools have long sworn by them as relatively economical complex trainers, and owners report happy relationships with their combination of useful load and range. Through longevity and numbers, it may have replaced […]

SocialFlight’s calendar will have the Weekender looking for some old-fashioned hangar flying, airplane rides and airport-hopping. On Saturday, the North Vernon Municipal Airport and EAA Chapter 1328 in Indiana will serve free coffee and donuts while supplies last, welcoming all to fly or drive in. Everyone is welcome to join the group every other weekend […]

While pilots grow old waiting for the FAA to reform the Third Class medical, light sport flying remains the last refuge to stay in the air. And vintage airplanes like Pipers venerable J-3 Cub or the Aeronca Champion actually promise affordability, if not comfort and technological panache. Taildraggers both, these two aircraft have always enjoyed […]

Years ago, we were approaching Cleveland on a clear Sunday afternoon. Accompanied by nearly unbearable static, we heard an obviously nervous light plane pilot trying to tell Hopkins tower where he was, how high he was, and what he wanted to do. When he finally (and mercifully) finished, the tower calmly replied with a clearance […]

To gain sizable amounts of speed and efficiency, you’ll generally have to fly in the mid to upper teens and higher. And to do that, you’ll have to make a choice: stick an oxygen hose (or mask) in your nose or pay for the convenience of pressurization. Due to market demand and high production costs, […]

It’s a fact of aeronautical life that virtually every pilot has to complete some form of recurrent training every two years to fly as pilot in command in Part 91 operations. While FAR Part 61.56 outlines a number of methods of meeting its mandate, another fact of aeronautical life is that most pilots comply by […]

The Weekender found some mid-February choices for indoor and outdoor activities coming up on SocialFlight. In Albuquerque, the second annual New Mexico Angel Flight Fly-In will take place on Saturday. Angel Flight South Central President Tim Dammon and New Mexico Wing Leader Art Tangen will recognize volunteer pilots. Join the group for breakfast and lunch […]

Probably the most difficult task on the Instrument Rating (IR) practical test is Area VII, Task D: Approach with Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators. But why is the FAA so concerned about this? In their own words from the IR Practical Test Standards (PTS): “The FAA is concerned about numerous fatal aircraft accidents involving […]

Letter of the Week:Drones No Danger I’m a commercial pilot and small drone operator and want to thank you for not joining the unfounded media hysteria over small UAV operation in the U.S. Regarding the “numerous” drone sightings reported by pilots as tabulated by the FAA, I’ve examined them, and the most frequently used words […]

We began our occasional series on aircraft refurbs last month with an article discussing the benefits and costs. There were twin bottom lines: If refurbishing your airplane makes sense for you, the next question becomes selecting a shop to do the work-how do you make the choice? We’re certainly aware of aviation maintenance horror stories, […]