Features

No pilot need go hungry this weekend, as our weekly review of the hundreds of events listed on SocialFlight found a barbecue theme at airport fly-ins around the country. The Cortland County Airport, in Cortland, N.Y., invites pilots to fly in or drive to Saturday’s AirFest, offering breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m., an FAA […]

I fly from a small air field outside Johannesburg, South Africa. When I had less than ten hours experience, I thought it would be a great idea to fly to one of the larger (controlled) air fields closer to Johannesburg to refuel. I requested joining and landing instructions from the tower. Very nervously. Tower requested […]

We get e-mail from readers who have had what they often prefer to call prop incidents as to possibly avoid the term prop-strike, and its frequent need for a recommended or mandatory engine tear down. In our response to readers we quote the latest manufacturer directives and FAA guidance, and add our perspectives and experience […]

Our weekly review of SocialFlight revealed fly-ins ranging from the standard pancake breakfast through one with an omelet bar, a bring-a-dish-to-share social and a Tuskegee Airmen exhibit. EAA Chapter 1252 is hosting a pancake breakfast fly-in on Saturday, July 12 from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the Elyria, Ohio Airport. Just $6 for all the […]

My son an I were departing SNS one evening in a Cessna 182 with my son at the controls and his two-year-old daughter in the back seat. We were cleared for take-off, climbing out, passing through about 1,000 feet when my granddaughter announced she needed to go to the bathroom. My son gave me that […]

Its the Fourth of July-go fly. On a basic level, its summer in the northern hemisphere so enjoy it in the air-if youre in the southern hemisphere, its the dead of winter, you probably havent been flying enough, so go get some of the rust off. On another level, unapologetically, its my countrys Independence Day, […]

Our weekly review of what to do in aviation on SocialFlight uncovered numerous Independence Day fly-ins and events-starting at the top with a fly-in at the nation’s highest airport. Our review was made easier and more encompassing by SocialFlight’s substantial upgrade to its free website which now allows users to customize the events they want […]

Heard on climb-out shortly after taking off behind a Bonanza A36: Bonanza:“Departure, this is Bonanza 12A. Ahh, we just got started here but need to come back.” Departure Control:“Bonanza 12A, understand you want to return to the field.” Bonanza:“Affirmative. 12A.” Departure Control:“Bonanza 12A, do you need any assistance?” Bonanza:“No. We just left the dog in […]

Judgment is the cornerstone of the air traffic control profession. This basic trait, common among thousands of successful air traffic controllers worldwide, allows controllers to face a variety of situations-including unusual pilot requests-and act appropriately. As with the folks in the cockpits, a controller relies on situational awareness. She takes a multitude of things into […]

This weekend’s roster of events for pilots, listed online by SocialFlight, includes something for everyone, whether you prefer crowds and action or finding your way to an out-of-the-way airport on the edge of the wilderness. For those who haven’t yet been to a Sporty’s fly-in, you have a chance every Saturday, all year-round, and you […]