Features

Cessna one two three four five, what’s your on-course heading?” How many times have you heard that little piece of phraseology lately? If you’ve flown out of a place where the controllers routinely assign you “Runway heading” (and who doesn’t), I bet you’ve heard it a lot. So what does the phraseology mean?Right now, dozens […]

Lycoming Lawsuit I agree with Anson Jones’ post about Lycoming and Continental (AVmail, Feb. 21). It’s about time for some new competition in the engine market. Let the likes of Honda and Toyota show these two GA giants how to make long-lasting, efficient engines at a price bearable to pilots. Who wants to spend $30K […]

Natural selection weeds out the weak and encourages proliferation of the strong. It works in nature but I’m not so sure it hasn’t been subverted elsewhere. Specifically, I’m talking about Franklin engines, a once-upon-a-time contender in general aviation that is, for the time being, out of business.The short version is this: United Technologies — Pratt […]

Somtimes they’re a little busy… Overheard inbound to EAA’s AirVenture, Oshkosh, 2003, where only the controllers on the ground speak and pilots respond by rocking their wings. Controller: Bell Helicopter, Fisk Approach. If you read, rock your wings. Controller: Right… OK, I guess you really don’t have any wings. Bell Helicopter, if you read, transmit. […]

Cessna Twins Spar Corporation36 Columbia Street, Farmingdale, NY 11735-2606 Tel: 516-847-0002 February 23, 2005 Ms.Mary GradyEditorAVWeb Dear Ms. Grady, Per your request, the following are CTScs comments regarding the spar cracks discovered in two Cessna 402C aircraft. The recently discovered spar problems on two extremely high-time Cessna 402C aircraft used in commuter service indicate that […]

Lockheed AFSS I am in agreement with the AFSS controller from AOO AFSS (AVmail, Feb. 14). Mr. Boyer of AOPA says the performance parameters are guaranteed. By whom? If they aren’t met, who are you going to complain to? If you’re not satisfied with the response to your complaint, what’s your recourse? AFSS won’t be […]

Much of aviation involves black and white decision-making; we have to do many of the tasks we do in a closely prescribed way or risk dying. There is no appeal or plea bargain for violation of a law of aerodynamics. If we are in a single-engine airplane and the engine quits under about 500 feet […]

ATC: Saratoga 12345, traffic at 3,000 feet (same altitude), 1 O’Clock, 3 miles opposite direction. Saratoga 12345: Roger, looking for traffic. (long pause) Saratoga 12345: Approach, Saratoga 12345, no joy on that traffic, can you give us a better location on it? ATC: I can give you a much better location … he’s 2 miles […]