What is your definition of a perfect flying day? Mine is a cross-country that includes a get-together with fellow aviators while making new friends, then a meal accompanied by a round or two of hangar flying tales. Add to that a chance to look at a lot of interesting aircraft and finally a safe return home. That’s exactly the day I had visiting Triple Tree Aerodrome in South Carolina.
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The gateway to the Texas Hill Country
Nestled in the heart of Central Texas, Gillespie County Airport (T82) is the gateway to the Hill Country and tourist cities like Fredericksburg, just a couple of miles to the north, with rich German history and military museums.
Just one more
Dennis Kirkwood thought he was done building airplanes at 77. Then COVID hit and he and a partner built a Hummel UltraCruiser.
Researchers compare climate impact of electric aircraft vs those powered by fossil fuels
The key takeaway from the study is that small electric aircraft can have a notably lower climate impact — up to 60% less — and other types of environmental impacts than equivalent fossil-fueled aircraft. However, there is a trade-off regarding mineral resource scarcity — about 50% more even in the most favorable scenario, mainly due to rare metals in the batteries of the electric aircraft, according to researchers.
Because flying is supposed to be cool
Over the years, pilots have come up with a number of ways to block the sun on the flight deck. Knowing there was a better way, airline pilot Lenny Abraham came up with Just Plane Shades, which are now available for a variety of general aviation aircraft.
Creating the Tiny Stearman
What do you do when you want a Stearman but can’t afford one? You create your own Tiny Stearman, like Chris Hiatt did from his Baby Great Lakes.
Video: Luscombe, the greatest general aviation innovator
The latest video posted on the Flying Doodles YouTube channel features a 1946 Luscombe 8A.
Slipping the surly bonds of ice
When Lancair pilot Matt Johnson was told to descend by ATC, he complied, then found his airplane was picking up ice. He remembers thinking about “how insane it was that I descended into ice-filled clouds from blue sky, no traffic within a hundred miles of me, just because some guy told me to.”
A December to Remember Aviation Log
When long-time pilot and General Aviation News writer Bill Walker decided to keep a log to document how aviation affects his life, he learned some very valuable lessons.