Truth be told, the four-letter word LIFT is a lot more complex than we are taught in flight training. This, perhaps, is what prompted a retired Naval aircraft hydraulic and pneumatic mechanic to write a two-page letter saying that all the current theories of lift are wrong. Having worked professionally with both fluids and air, he felt that outside of closed environments they “do not behave alike.” He advocates that airflow is irrelevant, and it’s all about pressure.
Emasculating aviation
The FAA’s Inclusive Language Summit combined two of our columnist’s favorite things: Aviation and Language. William E Dubois gives us his take on the agency’s initiative to change crucial words in aviation, such as airman and repairman to more gender-neutral terms because language matters.
Questions from the Cockpit: A colorful question
The cost of a quality airplane paint job borders on the astronomical. But, in fairness to the paint shops, that’s because the work involved in doing it right borders on the astronomical. In an effort to save money, can you paint your own airplane? Here’s what the FAA regulations say.
Questions from the Cockpit: The numbers game
How do N-Numbers get assigned? Why are they so wildly different? Who has N-1? And what about other countries? These questions — and more — are answered by our Questions From the Cockpit columnist William E. Dubois.
Questions from the Cockpit: A toast to the law
While pilots have to report getting caught driving under the influence, what about other alcohol-related troubles? And why does the FAA care about our drinking behavior?
The art of weather watching
A METARmap is functional art. Or the synthesis of art and technology. Or perhaps artistic technology. Or tech-imbedded art. Whatever you want to call it, it’s totally frickin’ cool.
Questions from the Cockpit: Bright city lights (not)
Do the yellow shapes surrounding cities on the VFR Sectional Chart show the appearance of the various cities’ lights at night? Our intrepid columnist investigates this colorful query.
Questions from the Cockpit: What is a Fowler flap?
Fowler isn’t a what, but a who. They’re named after Harlan Davey Fowler, the guy who invented the most complicated flap in our arsenal.
Questions from the Cockpit: A long-winded answer to a short-field question
“How short must a field be to be a short field?” It’s a question that you’d think would have a simple answer…