Features

Each week, we run a sampling of the letters received to our editorial inbox here in AVmail. One letter that’s particularly relevant, informative, or otherwise compelling will headline this section as our “Letter of the Week,” and we’ll send the author an official AVweb baseball cap as a “thank you” for interacting with us (and […]

We had lost our autopilot and advised the local ATC controller in the Kyrgyz Republic that we were not RVSM-compliant. This prompted the following exchange: Aircraft 1234 (us) :“Aircraft 1234, Osh control. State nature of the problem?” Osh Control:“Osh Control, Aircraft 1234. We have lost our autopilot.” [long pause] Osh Control:“Aircraft 1234, which pilot doesn’t […]

There are more than 5,000 airports in the U.S., but only 650 flying clubs, and AOPA hopes to change that. Can flying clubs help turn GA around? (click to answer) Last Week’s Question: Results Want to see the current breakdown of responses? Take a moment to answer the question yourself, and then you can view […]

The idea of creating a business jet that outperforms the competition is standard fare, but actually pulling that off while selling the jet for less is a head turner; enter Nextant Aerospace. Since October 2011, Nextant has been delivering the world’s only FAA-certified remanufactured business jet, the 400XT. The company is currently working to improve […]

Each week, we run a sampling of the letters received to our editorial inbox here in AVmail. One letter that’s particularly relevant, informative, or otherwise compelling will headline this section as our “Letter of the Week,” and we’ll send the author an official AVweb baseball cap as a “thank you” for interacting with us (and […]

This happened just three days ago, during instrument training, while copying and reading back a clearance for only the second time ever. Clearance Delivery (after I’d read back my clearance correctly) :“Readback correct. What runway, and how long?” Me:“Runway 03, and it’s 4,200 feet long.” I can only imagine what the controller said at that […]

A Washington State man has finally finished his tiny Dormoy Bathtub homebuilt after 60 years of effort. Have you started and/or finished a homebuilt? (click to answer) Last Week’s Question: Results Want to see the current breakdown of responses? Take a moment to answer the question yourself, and then you can view real-time results. What’s […]

Owners who have the eventual need for more speed might eyeball the used Mooney market. The search might logically start with the M20J or 201, which first appeared in 1978. While lacking some creature comforts and panel space, these machines are known for having respectable cruise speed, fuel efficiency and simple systems, while delivering the […]

Each week, we run a sampling of the letters received to our editorial inbox here in AVmail. One letter that’s particularly relevant, informative, or otherwise compelling will headline this section as our “Letter of the Week,” and we’ll send the author an official AVweb baseball cap as a “thank you” for interacting with us (and […]

Back in the 1970s, while flying an MU-2 into El Paso, Texas, I heard the following exchange between approach and an airline crew after repeated attempts to get the crew to reduce speed: Approach:“Flight 123, I must have you at 120 knots right now.” Captain of Flight 123:“Son, do you have any idea of the […]