Features

Listening to the radio in our hangar, we heard the following exchange. After landing at KSTS, a pilot requested to taxi to his hangar. He was given specific instructions and was cleared to his hangar. About 30 seconds later, we heard: Mooney 432XX:“Santa Rosa Ground, this is Mooney 432XX with a request.” Ground:“Mooney 432XX, say […]

Given the escalating costs of the F-35 program, the ongoing problems with the F-22, and the increasing capabilities of drones, is it time to rethink the strategy on military jets? Is the U.S. overspending on fighter programs? (click to answer) Last Week’s Question: Results Want to see the current breakdown of responses? Take a moment […]

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 […]

The Brainteaser Fantasy Vacation survey results are in, and the Jake Hollow barnstorming wanderlust is alive and flying. (Fictional barnstormer from Bootleg Skies. He never seemed to have a destination in mind but always managed to get lost.) AVweb Brainteaser Quiz #171 asked for reader input on the perfect aviation vacation. Where would you go […]

En route over central Florida, we heard the following exchange between Jacksonville Center or Approach (can’t remember which) and a Cessna approaching its destination: Jax Center:“1234AB, do you have information ‘Hotel’?” 1234AB:“Uh, nah, sir, we don’t need it. Thanks, but we’re stayin’ with some friends down in New Smyrna.” Jax Center:“1234AB, negative. Advise if you […]

The news of a Cessna 172 crash and its aftermath has made us curious how prepared our readers are for an emergency situation in a remote area. Do you carry survival gear in your airplane? (click to answer) Last Week’s Question: Results Want to see the current breakdown of responses? Take a moment to answer […]

Flying a Piper Lance from Santa Fe to Scottsdale in severely turbulent winds, someone on the radio asked ATC a question. Unidentified Pilot:“Is there anyone flying out there in this stuff?” ATC:“Yes. One other aircraft.” Unidentified Pilot:“At what altitude?” ATC:“Well, he’s assigned 10,500, but he’s anywhere between 9,500 and 11,500.” Leonard Hendlemanvia e-mail

Gary Connery made the record books on Tuesday by jumping out of an airplane and landing unscathed without a parachute. Did that cross some hypothetical line between legitimacy and lunacy? When is a stunt too reckless? Was Connery’s? (click to answer) Last Week’s Question: Results Want to see the current breakdown of responses? Take a […]

Overheard flying into Chicago (ORD): ORD Approach:“British Airways, can you be down to 4,000 feet by XXXXX?” [pause] British Airways 12345:“I suppose so — but I don’t think I can bring the aircraft with me.” John Finleyvia e-mail

Owners who fancy a little light aerobatics—or even semi-serious competition—might lust after a Pitts S1 or an Extra 300. But then reality sets in. Those airplanes require no small degree of skill to simply fly safely and that’s before we consider the insurance premiums. And that’s why so many owners inevitably gravitate toward the Citabria […]