“Let us be the solution to your New Year’s Resolution” was printed on the backside of a postcard I received in the mail. Huh? What resolution? After reading the other side of the postcard, apparently my 2017 resolution is to be an underpaid professional pilot. For kicks I clicked through to FlyCommutAir.com to see what […]
Opinion
Rewiring the machinery
As a species, human beings are dissatisfied with the status quo. Thank goodness. Virtually all the great developments in technology, the massive leaps in scientific achievement, have come about because someone was fed up with their perceived limitations. They rebelled. They overcame. Often in the face of real physical and financial peril, they improved the […]
How reliable is my magneto?
Q: I just read an article about the reliability of the mag in my TR182 and would like to know if there are any recent SBs or ADs on it. Royal Adderson A: Any information regarding the Bendix Dual Magneto should be available at any FAA approved repair station where you have you aircraft and engine […]
Strange but true
At the end of last year, I presented you all with a gift of heroic acts from the annals of the reports in NASA’s Aviation Safety Reporting System, in the pilots’ own words. This year I give you “unusual cockpit occurrences.” Some have been edited for clarity and length. Enjoy and happy holidays! Sand trap […]
Shark flies in American skies
When you look at this new-to-Americans aircraft, you might have a vague recollection of one or more aircraft that looked something like Shark. Are you fuzzy about that recollection? That’s understandable. It’s been a decade since FlyItalia’s MD3 Rider had U.S. representation. MD3 did earn Special LSA approval, taking its place on our SLSA List […]
Big iron, spam cans, and pilots in command
At the very top of the pilot pyramid is the Airline Transport Pilot certificate. It takes time to earn that ticket. A lot of time, a lot of effort, a deep understanding of the nuances of flight, and the ability to truly take command of an aircraft large enough to require a crew to keep […]
The easiest certificate ever, Part II
Christmas came early for me. Back in October I completed all the requirements to add a Remote Pilot certificate to my list of ratings and certificates. In the mail the week of Dec. 5 came my official certificate from the FAA. As I walked back from the mailbox, envelope in hand, my emotions quickly ran […]
Fit for flight
As I write this column I am just a bit uncomfortable. I have a strip of flexible blue tape wrapped around my left elbow, holding a small gauze pad in place, which in turn covers a hole in my skin where blood was drained out, about an hour ago. I go through this three times […]
Did the EPA just signal the end of mogas?
By DEAN BILLING. Reading Ben Visser’s blog, More questions about ethanol, reminded me that December is the month the EPA is supposed to set the ethanol quotas for the next year. For the first time in several years, the EPA has published the quotas in accordance with the schedule set in the law EISA 2007. The EPA Final […]