Features

Years ago, working in the Delta radio shop, I had a VHF receiver tuned to an ATL tower frequency. Tower had an Eastern DC-9 go around twice. The second time, the DC-9 responded: “We can do this all afternoon if you like, but in a little while we are going to have to land and […]

I still have my airplane today. Im very lucky. After the most recent annual inspection was completed, my aircrafts induction system caught fire. I found I was woefully unprepared for such an event. If I was unprepared, you probably are, too. Thankfully, no real damage was done. But this event highlighted for me some of […]

Digging into SocialFlight this week, we found everything from an air museum’s tribute to Jerrie Mock on the 50th anniversary of her flight around the world through antique airplanes aviating to a fly in serving foot-long hot dogs. Fly in foot-long hot dog day is coming up on Saturday April 12 at Sugar Hill Airport, […]

Three, Gooney Bird, Doug, Dakota, Diesel-3, Douglas Racer-no matter what its called, one can legitimately argue that the most influential airplane on commercial aviation was the Douglas DC-3. It was the first airliner with operating costs low enough to allow a profit in all-passenger service (previously, a contract to carry the mail was essential to […]

Our weekly immersion into SocialFlightuncovered the month’s big Kahuna, Sun ‘n Fun, as well local activities including local FlyDays, an EAA chapter breakfast and a fish-fry and fly-in. We’re reporting this from under clear skies and great weather as the 40th annual Sun ‘n Fun fly-in, airshow, convention and celebration is going on in Lakeland, […]

On a recent flight north of Florida, a Pilatus checked in with Jacksonville Centre: Pilatus:“Jack Centre, Pilatus N1234. FL 250, smooth ride, outside air temp -24 degrees Celsius.” Jacksonville Centre:“Pilatus N1234, Jacksonville Centre. Roger. Recommend not rolling down your windows.” Pilatus (after a short pause):“Say again for N1234.” Centre:“It was an attempt at a joke.” […]

Ive long been frustrated with the misuse of the speeds known as Vx and Vy in pilot training. This article is an attempt to explain my reasons in a reasonably clear and entertaining manner. The opinions in this article are mine alone, and refer to the Bonanza. Most of the basic speeds are taken from […]

According to the poem, when you choose between two roads in the woods, you choose the road less taken. Sometimes its the wrong one. In my opinion, general aviation chose the wrong road when we started walking toward Light Sport Aircraft. A little over a decade ago, our industry and the aviation community got behind […]

Our weekly foray into SocialFlight.com revealed that aviation activities are emerging from the winter doldrums with a combination of airshows, type club events and fly-in gatherings. The Take to the Skies Air Fest will take place on Eaker Field, Durant, Okla., on Saturday March 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Organizers promise an exciting […]

An Air New Zealand DC-10 en route from Auckland to Honolulu was about to pass the southbound company flight in the early morning hours, and its crew was chatting with another flight on the inter-plane frequency. In short order, a Qantas aircraft joined the conversation. A bit later, a USAF MAC aircraft called in as […]