Aviation is a relatively small but absolutely vital industry. For many of us general aviation is the entry point to this remarkable business, and in some cases becomes the desired destination. Together we can grow the size of the pie we work within or shrink it.
Homeward bound
No matter how much fun you have at an airshow, the trip home is always a welcome time.
Some limits are made to be exceeded
You never too young — or too old — to learn how to fly. The only thing stopping you is your self-imposed limits.
Something old, something new-ish
Breaking in a new engine requires heightened focus, along with some parameters for the first few hours of flight: Stay below 5,500 MSL to assure the engine can run at 65% power or better. Only conduct cross-country flights of an hour or more in duration. Full stop landings. No touch-n-go pattern work. No stalls and recoveries. Limit use of idle power to start up, taxi, and landing. And of course, use mineral oil exclusively for this break-in period.
Is this work or playtime?
For someone whose labors are often indistinguishable from what most folks would consider playtime, the desire to lay low, to do nothing, to disconnect from the workaday world may seem like a petty complaint. And maybe it is. This conundrum is complicated by the fact that I truly love what I do. Every bit of it. A truth that is evident in the existence of this column itself.
Don’t miss the best show in town
The lessons waiting to be learned just inside the SUN ‘n FUN gates may be exactly what your town or city needs to revitalize general aviation, boost your local economy, and push your school system’s educational potential up to the next level.
The shared challenges of the left and right seat
The CFI’s role is to teach. To demonstrate. To evaluate the performance of the individuals they work with. But that role also requires the CFI to encourage, support, congratulate, and celebrate each client’s successes, small though they may be.
It’s time to talk about pilots and depression
One area of concern that pilots of all ages shy away from discussing openly is mental health. Which is a shame because mental health is a critical component of overall health. Unfortunately, the FAA has historically been less than charitable toward flight crew members who utter the word “depression” in the wrong company, or admit to having issues with the real speed bumps found along the road of life.
Can you crowdfund a flight training scholarship?
Learning to fly is expensive, but if a community comes together and everyone donates just a little, that could easily pay for the flight training for a new pilot every year.