Features

Demise of 100LL I just got done reading Lance Nuckoll’s letter regarding the highly uncertain future of 100LL (AVmail, July 7). Given that lead is considered bad news (you can’t even use it in solder for electronics anymore), 100LL isn’t going to be around forever.I would like to offer a suggestion as to how to […]

If a nonpilot asks you “How do you take off?” how would you answer? Line up with the runway, add power, accelerate to liftoff speed, raise the nose and go. But is it really as simple as that? Every year airplanes fail to get off wet or muddy runways, or to clear obstacles past the […]

While on tower freq for VGT (North Las Vegas), I overheard the following: Cessna 1234N:“Tower, this is Cessna 1234N, 10 miles northwest with yankee, inbound full stop.” Tower:“Cessna 1234N, tower. Continue inbound. Report 4-mile final for runway 12 right.” Cessna 1234N:“Tower, Cessna 1234N reporting 4-mile final.” Tower:“Cessna 1234N cleared for landing. Runway 12 right. Say […]

This Week’s Question |Previous Week’s Answers PREVIOUS RESULTS *** EAA AirVenture is almost here! In just over a week, we’ll be poking around classic airplanes, asking questions about new technologies, and sharing high fives with fellow aviation buffs in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. To celebrate the season, last week we asked how you’re planning to get to […]

It was a weekday evening and I’d just finished flying with a relatively new instrument student who was proving to be competent, determined to learn, and overall a genuine pleasure from an instructor’s point of view. I’d stopped into the Pilot’s Lounge at the virtual airport out of habit and ran into Old Hack, Sandy […]

Overheard in IFR Magazine‘s “On the Air” Overheard in Southern Florida: Fort Myers Approach:“Cessna Three Four Alpha, say heading.” Cessna:“Ah, we’re headin’ for Tampa.” Fort Myers Approach:“Cessna Three Four Alpha, say heading.” Cessna:“Well, okay. We’re headin’ for the LaBelle VOR first and then going on to Tampa.” Fort Myers Approach:“Cessna Three Four Alpha, could you […]

This Week’s Question |Previous Week’s Answers PREVIOUS RESULTS *** Last week, we asked (on behalf of AVweb reader Bruce B.) just what level of performance might tempt you to buy an under-$150K electric airplane. Frankly, the results of this one are probably more interesting view visually, so head over to the poll page to view […]

[AVweb’s reprint of A Pilot’s History began with Chapter 1.] In Florida, I had “the sun early in the morning and the moon at night” for a couple of days before the phone started to ring. You can ignore it for a few days, but soon someone will buzz your house in a plane or […]

The Demise of 100LL For at least 10 years, that I know of, the use and future availability of 100 octane low lead (100LL) aviation fuel (avgas) has been “under attack.” For example, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been giving users a “pass” to continue using 100LL avgas with the caveat that the […]

Overheard in IFR Magazine‘s “On the Air” I was departing Terre Haute, Indiana. The ATIS said clear below 12,000, but I could see a scattered layer of clouds to the south with tops around 4,500 feet. After tower switched me to departure, there was this exchange: Cessna 123 (me):“Approach, Cessna 123. Request VFR-on-top 5,500.” Controller […]