Interested in learning more about backcountry flying? Patrick Romano of Backcountry Aviation published a series of stories and videos on BackcountryPilot.org that will give you tons of tips on mastering the techniques needed to be successful. The first installment of The Approach — a series on strategy for approaching and departing backcountry airstrips — covers final approach, and shows […]
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Pictures of the day: Why I love flying
Bogere Tonny sent in these photos, with a quick email: “I love flying…WHY? Because defying gravity is what I do!”
Tip: Lawyer up — before you need to
J. Michael Loomis, an aviation attorney in Fort Wayne, Indiana, offers this advice: “If you are going to be active in aviation, I recommend that you develop a relationship with an aviation attorney before you actually need one. You’ll want to know who you will be able to call and how to reach them in […]
Tips: Flying into airshows
Several of our readers responded to a request for pilot tips on airshows. Here are just a few: Don Howard, Blanco, Texas: Every pilot HAS to go at least once to AirVenture, and fly if possible. Talk to someone responsible who has flown to Oshkosh. It’s not hard, but it is certainly different, You have […]
Tip: How to properly clean oleo struts
H.K. Sawyer of Northwest, Ga., submits this advice: “You say you’re tired of that nastiness that builds up on your oleo struts? And, in general, down there? You can, and should clean it, regularly. BUT don’t wipe your landing gear oleo struts down with any sprays or lubes other than hydraulic fluid. I am told that various […]
Alaska Highway Log: Return from Fairbanks to South Carolina
This is part four in a series of stories about flying to Alaska. Read about Bill’s trip planning, Flying to Alaska, and Flying the Alaska Highway. My co-pilot Albert Finocchiaro and I launched July 23 from Chena Marina (AK28) in Fairbanks en route home to the Lower 48. We hoped to reach Watson Lake, Yukon Territory, […]
Tip: Fly, fly, fly
Joe Gutierrez of Kingman, Arizona sends in this advice: The best flight training tool is to commit yourself 100% to learning how to fly without reservation. To say you want to is not enough. You have to commit yourself. Second, no sim time or DVD — this is artificial and the end result is still the same, didn’t learn […]
Flying the Alaska Highway
This is part three in a series of stories about flying to Alaska. Read about Bill’s trip planning, Flying to Alaska and Return from Fairbanks. It took four days flying from South Carolina to reach Fort Nelson, British Columbia, 283 miles up the Alaska Highway from its starting point at Dawson Creek. And more than 1,100 road miles — […]
Tip: Assist in your annual
Kevin Carbone of Winchester, Va., advises pilots to find a shop that permits owner assisted annuals. Bring your own tools. Start with the basics. Remove seats and floor boards to expose stuff. Remove any wing covers, tail cone, engine cover top and bottom. Do the oil change and filter as needed. Get an AvLab test kit. Be […]