Features

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 […]

When an air traffic controller asked an aircraft to reduce speed even more than he already had: Aircraft 1234:“If I reduce any further, I’ll fall out of the sky!” Controller:“Roger. Report leaving altitudes on descent.” Ed LeSagevia e-mail

Various groups this week sent out reminders of government initiatives whose comment period deadlines are looming. How often do you submit comments? How active are you in aviation politics? (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 […]

[AVweb‘s reprint of Dick’s memoir began with the Introduction.] The final act of “My Life in the Blue Suit” began in June 1974 with the Fairchild C- 123K “Provider,” an airplane with a most unusual lineage. In 1943 the Chase Aircraft Company contracted to build assault gliders for the Army Air Forces; their first prototype […]

One day I took a friend’s son up for a flight in my Cessna 150. As we flew around the area, I explained, “One of the things we have to do is look out for other airplanes.” As I was scanning the skies, I found a plane off in the distance and pointed it out […]

AOPA and NBAA have hit the political convention circuit, buttonholing movers and shakers and their supporters at events in Tampa and Charlotte. What should they have been talking about? What would you ask your elected representative about with regard to GA? (click to answer) Last Week’s Question: Results Want to see the current breakdown of […]