Features

Sure, we know what maneuvering speed is, we learned it in private pilot ground school. You know, Va-Design Maneuvering Speed. “This is the maximum speed at which the limit load can be imposed (either by gusts or full deflection of the control surfaces) without causing structural damage.” That’s the definition straight out of the old […]

Sometimes I feel as if Lockheed-Martin Flight Services is the Rodney Dangerfield of aviation-no matter how sophisticated, cool and user-friendly its weather briefing and flight safety services become, pilots don’t seem to be paying attention. That being the case, I’ll say it up front: the free-that’s free-services Lockheed-Martin have for pilots are cutting edge, impressive […]

With a long weekend ahead, it’s a great time to plan a flying excursion, and SocialFlight has plenty of options. To make the most of the extra time, pilots are invited to fly in to East Gore, Nova Scotia, for the annual Stanley Fly In. About 50 airplanes from all over the region are expected, […]

Last week, my wife and I heard this radio exchange while flying across Texas: San Angelo Approach:“Cardinal XXX, you got time for a quick question?” Cardinal XXX:“Sure.” SJT Approach (in a deep Texas drawl):“Is there somethin’ special about your flight today? Special cargo or something?” Cardinal XXX:“Nope.” San Angelo Approach:“They just have you on a […]

The world of training aircraft has all but reinvented itself since Diamond introduced the DA20 to the North American market nearly 20 years ago. When the Katana appeared, Diamond reasoned that the fleet of ancient Cessna 150s and 152s was growing weary and operators would lust for replacements. What it didn’t anticipate was a couple […]

Our weekly review of aviation events on SocialFlightuncovered everything from a fly-in cookout through a Big Toy Day to a PilotPalooza coming up this weekend. Middlebury State Airport, Vermont, is hosting a cookout fly-in Saturday, Aug. 23, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Organizers report that burgers, hot dogs and more food will be served […]

During the early ’70s, Pappy Wilkes, a former Piedmont Airlines DC-3 captain, was flying a pressurized Queen Air 88 along the east coast of Florida. He had been cleared to climb to 15,000. Being hot and heavy, the 88 was very slow climbing. An impatient ATC controller asked Pappy when he expected to reach his […]

Letter of the Week:Hangar Policy Proposal No doubt this proposal makes sense in some arcane budget discussion among ignoramuses divorced from aviation. But saying aircraft can’t be built in an airport hangar simply to preclude inappropriate use of federally funded airports makes about as much sense as saying birth can’t occur at home because the […]

It’s happened to every pilot at some time or another-suddenly the airplane isn’t doing what the pilot intends. Causes vary-his or her attention is diverted while hand flying, or spatial disorientation does its insidious thing or maybe its an upset due to turbulence. The deviation from the desired attitude can range from “Aw, nuts, I […]

Once August arrives, summer has a way of speeding past, so if you’re looking to make the most of these last few weekends before Labor Day, SocialFlight’s app and website provide plenty of opportunities. In Stow, Massachusetts, this weekend, you can camp under your airplane’s wing at the private Crow Island airport. The annual summer […]