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Alakai Technologies Corporation announced today that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for installation of the company’s Engine Trend Monitoring System (ETMS) on Cirrus SR20 and SR22 aircraft. The certification also applies to Alakai’s Digital Flight Data Recording System (DFDS) software which, when combined with the ETMS, effectively provides […]

Mooneys have always enjoyed a reputation for being fast, easy-to-fly cruisers with average payload and a somewhat tight cabin. But the reality is that theyve been more efficient than fast. Bonanzas and Cessnas gas-thirsty 210 outrun most Mooney models but on balance, no airplane company has managed to squeeze as many knots out of as […]

PIQUA, Ohio-March 16, 2007-Hartzell Propeller Inc. announced today that it has introduced its own line of Hartzell-designed propeller de-ice components with plans to support the entire catalog of Hartzell propellers that feature de-ice capability. The new Hartzell de-ice components will replace previous, third-party manufactured de-ice parts, including de-icer boots, wire harnesses, and slip rings. Hartzell […]

This article originally appeared in Aviation Safety, Jan. 2005. Scud running is the time-honored practice of trying to stay VFR down low between weather and terrain while motoring off to a destination. Generally, it involves a VFR-only pilot flying in good daytime visibility over flat terrain at an altitude that will clear charted obstacles. While […]

This is a story about Cessnas, but please don’t hold that against me because the lessons learned are applicable to all aircraft makes and models.Years ago, I used to travel throughout the country putting on technical seminars for the Cessna Pilots Association (CPA) for owners of various Cessna models, together with John Frank, executive director […]

Rudder pedals are not meant to be footrests. In this 15 minute workshop, Wally Moran explains the importance of good rudder skills and how proper coordination improves safety, performance and passenger comfort. You will learn: Problems? See the FAQ below. More online Pilot Workshops are available here. Frequently Asked Questions Trouble viewing the video? Here […]

Animals and aviation have always had a close relationship. You’ve got your Flying Tigers, your Mustangs, and even the venerable B-52 has earned the name “the BUFF,” although I don’t think that name refers to the American Bison.I was thinking these thoughts recently at a dog agility trial where our Corgi was preparing to absolutely […]

This article originally appeared in IFR Refresher, Jan. 2006. The weather is what we all worry about when we are planning an IFR cross-country flight. There are many decisions to be made before and after takeoff, and the wrong decision anywhere along the way can lead to disaster.Some pilots, when they reach the instrument approach […]

Comair Sues FAA Over LEX Crash So Comair is suing FAA because the LEX controller didn’t watch to ensure that their CRJ found the right runway (AVwebFlash, Feb. 25). I doubt whether Comair will ask NATCA to testify on their behalf, since NATCA would state emphatically that this is not a controller’s responsibility, and never […]

I had standardized procedures drilled into me early on — an occupational hazard when your employer is the U.S. Air Force. In Air Force flight screening, flying off-the-shelf Cessna 172s we called T-41A Mescaleros, every flight was a series of standardized actions from preflight to the practice area to landing to shutdown. We knew what […]