Amanda, a private pilot in Minnesota, writes: I was reading about the early aviation engines, and with the rotary engine, the entire engine spun. How on earth did that work with getting spark to the cylinders? Obviously cables were out…
Opinion
It’s In The (Flight) Bag
When the Wright brothers first flew, they needed no bag. Pilots weren’t really a thing yet. There were no tools to carry. No mandatory logs to be kept. The only thing a pilot of the day might need to be successful was a functional airplane, a hat and, perhaps, a pair of goggles. Honestly, the hat was optional.
Questions From The Cockpit: Why Are They Called Wig-Wag Lights?
Curtis, a student pilot in Arizona, writes: On a training flight yesterday I saw an airplane coming in to land that had landing lights on the wings that were alternately flashing off and on. My CFI said that it was a “wig-wag” system. Such a funny name. I’m wondering where it came from.
The Risks of Summer Thunderstorms for General Aviation Pilots
This summer we are likely to see metal bent, blood spilled, and easily preventable deaths as pilots fly into weather they have no business being anywhere near. That’s a bleak, depressing prediction but one that is based on what has happened in the past.
Expert Tips For Troubleshooting Your Aircraft Engine Issues
Planning to ask a factory representative for help at the next big aviation event? Don’t show up empty-handed. You need to be able to provide specific details like make, model, and serial number, to get the solution to your engine problems.
Questions from the Cockpit: Decoding Cessna Performance Charts for Grass Runway Landings
Justin, a student pilot in Florida, writes: I’ve been studying the performance charts in my Cessna 172’s POH and was surprised to see a note on the short field landing table that said to add 45% to the figures for landing on grass. Why do you need more landing distance on a soft field? Shouldn’t the surface friction slow the plane down more than on pavement?
70 Airports For His 70th Birthday
To celebrate his 70th birthday, Oregon pilot Ray Phelan embarked on an ambitious mission: Landing his 1971 Beechcraft Bonanza at 70 different airports in a single day.
The Most Important Documents in Aviation
Slash the 80% flight training dropout rate. Discover how a simple syllabus saves student pilots time and money while ensuring checkride success.
Why The 2030 Deadline For Unleaded Avgas Is Final
Many pilots believe the 2030 deadline to phase out leaded 100LL avgas is just another government suggestion. However, environmental regulations and the harsh realities of tetraethyl lead manufacturing mean this transition is actually unavoidable. Discover why general aviation must prepare for a permanently unleaded future.