Pop Quiz: Is it against the Federal Aviation Regulations to take off with ice and snow on the…
I knew the pilot of the Piper Cheyenne turboprop that January 24 collided with a Cessna 172 near…
There's a saying among pilots of retractable gear airplanes, "there are those who have, and those who will"…
For a given amount of engine power, the higher you fly, the faster your true airspeed. If your…
Ten gallons -- about thirty bucks worth of avgas -- what'll it get you?
I owe my life to aviation mechanics. For one, my father was an A&P (certificated airframe and powerplant)…
I was climbing on top of the fog, looked down at my instruments, and when I looked up…
If you’re flying under a U.S.-issued pilot certificate, your days are numbered.
The "categorical outlook" is a very general description of ceiling and visibility conditions contained in the Area Forecast.…
The air was absolutely still save for the far-off putter of an O-320 Lycoming at low power. A…
Last week, we reviewed four of the eight "high risk situations" that lead to almost all lightplane accidents…
We pilots take pride (and some even revel) in our ability to overcome obstacles -- but sometimes, the…
Turning base to final, I saw a Piper Cherokee sitting on the centerline at the arrival end of…
It's that time of year again -- know what the dangers are, know your defenses...
Cell phones are handy, but there are potential 'gotchas' when using a cell phone to talk to Flight…
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) calls it that -- they even publish an Accident Prevention Program Bulletin by…
I faced aeronautical temptation this weekend... a lot of temptation.
I changed the oil in the Beech Sierra on a hot, humid morning in July … and found…
Get set for another "one year since 9/11" retrospective … but this time, from the point of view…
Flaps full. Power to idle. Hold the nose off ... hold it up, hold it up, let the…
When a pilot falls ill (or worse) at the controls of an airplane, it sometimes leaves a frantic…
A recent television documentary discussed the “crisis” in general aviation safety. “600 people die every year in little…
I am a new pilot and would like to immediately start working on my IFR. Several of my…
'Cessna 172 Yankee Alpha, turn left heading 060 degrees, descend and maintain 2000 feet; expect to break out…
The weather briefer told me there'd be 'nothing' between me and home for the 2.5 hour flight --…
'Confused VFR Pilot' writes: 'I'm ready to start working toward my IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) rating, but I'm…
Faulty or imprecise navigation could put you in prohibited airspace, or controlled airspace without proper clearance; these days,…
“This is likely one of the most unusual calls you’ll ever receive,” said the voice on the telephone...
Perhaps the ultimate unforgivable sin in aviation in aviation is fuel exhaustion, and while you may never do…
I was in the right seat of a Beech Baron over Hutchinson, Kansas. KHUT is a sleepy little…
A Bonanza’s forward cabin door pops open as it takes off into blue skies, and in his rush…
Seventy-five years earlier, nearly to the minute, the dirty silver monoplane touched down outside Paris, France, over 33…
I’m taking my son and his cub scout den to an airshow this weekend. It’s one of the…
The air temperature was about 80 degrees, which is hot for an airport 7700 feet above sea level…
“Just pull the red knob until the engine runs rough, then push it in a bit” ... oh…
I’ve taught hundreds of pilots in airplanes and simulators and, to my horror, one of my students died…
You don’t have to be going for your Commercial certificate, suffering the strains of aerobatics or trying to…
When the only thing keeping you above an unwelcome encounter with unseen terrain below is a single powerplant,…
'I love night flying and, in fact, will be making some night flights out of necessity -- however,…
A recent purchase reminded me that, as much as things change through avionics upgrades and regulations, the spirit…
Many of us pilots (and pilots-in-training) are highly motivated, goal-oriented types, always reaching for the next step.
Barry, friend and student who is working toward his tailwheel endorsement and the 10 hours of flight instruction…
Barry had endured quite a bit of lecture to help prepare him for his tailwheel checkout -- eventually,…
What’s required, and how does one teach mastery of a “conventional gear” airplane? This weekend, I’ll start checking…
Barry’s grin was so wide I swear I could see it from the back seat of the Bellanca…
Our piston airplane engines are extremely reliable -- but fly enough and you may have an engine problem.
You’re four thousand feet above the ground and having the time of your life... when -- without warning…
It's not always easy to get into an advanced / well equipped airplane when your experience is minimal,…