Features

They were the last of the pressurized, piston, 400-series airplanes Cessna developed, and pilots and mechanics will tell you that Cessna got it right with the Models 414 and 414A. Combining spacious cabins and relatively small, efficient engines, the 414 series can carry lots of fuel or a small crowd with their belongings-but not both. […]

Overheard in IFR Magazine‘s “On the Air” The following exchange took place en route to opening day at Sun ‘n Fun last April Bonanza: Jacksonville Center, Bonanza Four Seven Two Zero Yankee. 11,000. Center: Bonanza Four Seven Two Zero Yankee, Roger, Jacksonville altimeter 30.12. Bonanza: Are you working a lot of traffic to Lakeland this […]

This Week’s Question |Previous Week’s Answers PREVIOUS RESULTS *** Last week, AVweb asked readers what they think of the Eclipse 500, now that five of the VLJs have made their way into the hands of customers. Readers’ opinions were varied, with 36% of you saying it was mostly hype (no different than any other airplane), […]

The New AFSS I was wondering how the pilots who used to use Terre Haute, Ind., Anniston, Ala., and Altoona, Pa., Automated Flight Service Stations (AFSS) feel about using the new Washington hub. I have talked to many frustrated pilots who do not like it. Lockheed-Martin has briefers who are totally unfamiliar with the areas […]

“I can’t figure it out,” said Sid, my co-pilot. “The airplanes keep getting bigger but the coffee cups keep getting smaller.” He was looking askance at his shot-glass-sized coffee that the flight attendants had just brought up.”I wonder why they are so stingy on coffee. The passengers are just going to bug them for a […]

Overheard in IFR Magazine‘s “On the Air” I heard this somewhere out East while in the clag and trying to find an approach plate: Piper: Center, Lance Six Two Eight One November, with you at 7,000 feet. Center (sounding tired): Lance, Six Two Eight One November, roger. But two things: first you don’t need to […]

This Week’s Question |Previous Week’s Answers PREVIOUS RESULTS *** Last week, in light of the House Transportation and InfrastructureCommittee report identifying“widespread fraud” in the pilot medicalcertification system, AVweb asked if any of our readers knew ofanyone who had concealed a health issueon his or her medical application form. Most of you said that no, you […]

There seem to be a growing number of people who think that a cylinder head temperature (CHT) of 380 F is a universally good target to use for setting the mixture.Folks, it just ain’t so.It may work some of the time on some engines, but it’s a long way from universal, and I’d like to […]

I‘ve helped many pilots make the transition from four-seat, trainer-type airplanes into high-performance, retractable-gear airplanes and powerful light twins. If you’ve made that transition yourself, you probably remember zooming up through your desired (and perhaps air traffic control-assigned) altitude as you grew used to the new airplane, and the challenge of accurately transitioning to level […]

Airbus A380 Video Watching the video of the new Airbus A380 landing in America (Video of the Week, Mar. 25) reminded me of the aircraft’s visit to Sydney, Australia, a few months ago, on its Pole-to-Pole proving flight.My wife and I were driving along Qantas Drive, which is a busy road that runs right past […]