Recent Updates

While hanging around and working at the Sarasota-Bradenton airport (SRQ) in the mid-50s, I became aware of a small group of pilots my father called “airport bums.” It was years before I realized that was intended as a derogatory term, for they were my heroes. That was probably why Dad put me into forced labor […]

Staggerwings flock to Tullahoma, Pipers fly to Lock Haven and antiques gather in Blakesburg, Iowa. Pietenpols have their own annual gathering at Brodhead, Wis., that draws, if not quantity, definitely quality and a passion from those who come to see these distinctive little homebuilts. For Pietenpol builders, going to Brodhead means the chance to actually […]

It suddenly occurred to me that I’ve never done a column on my all-time favorite airplane! How could I have so neglected my old sweetheart? My logbook reveals that I have 1,864.08 hours in this old classic, second only to the 747 time, which we won’t count because it’s a nosedragger, it burns that stinky […]

“Life insurance.” These are two words almost guaranteed to glaze the eyes of even the most attentive pilot and cause many others to look for a way — any way — to quickly change the subject to something more stimulating — like wall paint or 8-track tape players. They conjure up, in my mind anyway, […]

What’s the most critical part, the indispensable portion of any airplane? The wings, of course. There have been tail-less designs and flying wings without fuselages, and gliders without engines, but you really don’t have an airplane without a wing. Given the central importance of the wing to any airplane, why would I choose to build […]

One Saturday after I walked back into the house from my shop reeking of varnish, my wife said I must be high on the fumes. I wasn’t; I wear a good filter mask when I’m varnishing or doping, but I was on a natural high. I’d just finished putting the second coat of epoxy varnish […]

When completing an application for life insurance as a pilot, there are several tips you should know that can save you time, money, and frustration. Just as you would put a new airplane through a pre-buy inspection before buying it, insurance companies put you through their underwriting process to determine whether or not to offer […]

Ron Alexander, Director of the EAA Sportair Workshops, says one of the main reasons why builders fail to complete aircraft building projects is lack of confidence in their abilities. Recognizing this need among those “rolling their own,” Alexander created what has become the EAA Sportair Workshops. The EAA Sportair Workshops are designed to provide aircraft […]

Jumpseating — the practice of bumming a ride aboard a human mailing tube headed somewhere you need to go — is one of the time-honored institutions of the airline industry. Some use their privileges to commute, others to move around on company business. But, in the right hands, it’s really more of an art. Come […]

Captains are not born; they are made, mostly from the school of hard knocks and with a copious amount of seasoning. As part of this process, being in the right place at the right time is as important as avoiding the wrong places. Along the way, the people, planes and places encountered all help give […]