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Why They Come … LAKELAND – Walking up the flag lined gate of this year’s Sun ‘n Fun entrance, it’s not hard to feel the energy of the largest southeastern U.S. fly-in of the spring – and this year, something special is in the air. You’ll hear it in the voice of the woman in […]

Several months ago I wrote a column entitled Some People (Just don’t Belong in the Air). At that time, because of lack of space I did not include what is perhaps the most blatant example of an individual who had no business even approaching within 50 feet of an airplane, let alone attempting to operate […]

Click any photo for a larger image. The FAA recommends an annual inspection for youravionics and we recommend it highly as well. Well give you the gist of it andthen some in the words that follow. Next month, well also give you somelow-buck alternatives for test equipment to perform more detailed avionicssystem checks. By the […]

Advancing your ratings makes you a better/saferpilot. We’ve probably all heard that statement more times than we can count, andmost pilots probably accept it as an empirical truth. However, others feel thattheir lack of advanced ratings does not make them any less safe or competent tofly the planes they do, the way they do. At […]

Exclusive Coverage Index Bounce Trip: Sun ‘N Fun Participants Eager For Both Resiliency Of Grass-Roots Aviation On Display At Lakeland The Sunday morning balloon launch kicked off Sun ‘N Fun 2002. LAKELAND – As the sun set here Saturday evening, a feeling of imminent exultation seemed to permeate the grounds of Sun n Fun EAA […]

Skip aheadto the gallery. Indianapolis — Well, the weather outside was frightful on opening day and the mix of participating organizations changed once again, but nonetheless a sense of purpose and optimism held sway over the delegates, vendors and association executives working the 2002 Aviation Services and Suppliers Super Show. For the three-day run that […]

As I was rummaging around in my brain for some interesting stories to amuse pilots, I kept coming across the same thing again and again: Maiden. It dawned on me that much of my career has revolved around Maiden. From the day I walked in the door at Atlanta Center, to the present day, Maiden […]

I‘ve long promised myself I’d never get in this argument again. I have resisted manfully (is that sexist?) Every time I start to say something on this subject, I cover my ears and start the usual mantra, “Pink elephants, pink elephants…” trying to avoid even thinking about it. It’s a little like the time we […]

The pilot’s lounge relocated a bit to the south, while I spent some time doing volunteer flying in a Cessna 206 for LightHawk, the airborne conservation organization. LightHawk does most of its work in the U.S., but assists in efforts in Central America during the winter. My rotation was in the country of Belize. I’ve […]

It’s 12:40 on a lovely spring afternoon. My boys are in school; my chores and my errands are done. I grab my driver’s license, a blank check, my “Be A Pilot Certificate” and head out the door. I am determined that today I am going for a Discovery Flight. Flying in New England in the […]