Mark Ellery doesn’t understand why aircraft owners “want to purchase fuel at a higher cost” than what he pays for the autogas that fuels his Citabria. “What I don’t understand is, given the imminent demise of 100LL, and given that autogas is suitable for use, and has been approved for use for over 30 years […]
Beware the ‘Moose-spiral’
For pilots flying to Alaska for the first time, Mike Kincaid warns about the “Moose-spiral.” “There’s is plenty to see when flying in Alaska, but remember to always fly the airplane instead of focusing on that giant moose or bear on the tundra,” he advises. “The ‘Moose-spiral’ has killed plenty of pilots.” Unfortunately, Kincaid knows […]
Veteran Alaskan pilot shares the lessons he’s learned
For John Davis, his storied career in Alaska as a Big Game Hunting Guide and bush pilot began when he was a sophomore in high school in his hometown of Quincy, Wash. The natural-born storyteller, who just completed a book about his life called “My Memories,” recalls seeing a Piper Cub landing on a narrow […]
Learning to ‘wear’ the airplane
After 10 years as a CFI in Alaska, Drew Haag of Above Alaska Aviation has this advice for pilots looking to take that trip of a lifetime: Get some training while you are visiting “The Last Frontier.” “Training in Alaska will establish a solid foundation for flying anywhere else in the world,” he said. “Pilots […]
Alaskan Bushwheel: Helping GA pilots get to where they need to go
It’s an iconic brand: Alaskan Bushwheel tundra tires. The tires are sold around the globe, but retain a special connection to Alaska, with Alaskan pilots making up about a third of the company’s customer base. But when Bill Duncan bought the company in 2000 from Alaska Tire and Rubber Co., he moved it Joseph, Oregon. […]
Take off with X-Plane
As a college student, Austin Meyer was finding it difficult to keep up his instrument currency. Like so many pilots at the time, he was using Microsoft Flight Sim, but “I wasn’t happy with its flexibility,” he recalled. “I was having a heck of a time passing my currency check.” That’s when he turned his […]
Working to save GA
Aviation faces some fundamental issues: While the FAA reports there were 41% fewer private pilot certificates issued over the last decade, Boeing is projecting the need for 460,000 new pilots globally by 2031. Meanwhile, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association is reporting that up to 80% of student pilots drop out of training. “It’s a […]
Ohio pilots pitch in to recruit next members of the aviation community
What began in 1997 with two pilots helping Boy Scouts earn their aviation merit badges has grown into Youth Aviation Adventure (YAA), with 26 partner programs across the United States. It all began when Columbus, Ohio, pilots Dan Kiser and Steve Wathen offered to help Steve’s son and some friends earn their Boy Scout Aviation […]
1.7 million Young Eagles and counting…
It’s an impressive number: Since its founding in 1992, more than 1.76 million kids have flown as Young Eagles — a number that’s growing even as you read this. The premise is simple: Introduce kids to aviation through a flight in a general aviation aircraft and — hopefully — inspire the next generation of pilots. […]