The human mind is an intriguing piece of biological equipment. It can conceive of amazing inventions. Machines, devices, and processes that have never existed come to being first in the mind of someone not significantly different from you or me. Ideas can be incredibly powerful or they can be absolutely idiotic. In the case of […]
Opinion
Miss Veedol’s victory spanned the Pacific
Long before entrepreneurs launched cars into space, pilots of the 1920s and 1930s were beholden to people of wealth who could sponsor record flights or offer cash prizes for the first intrepid aviator to achieve a specific milestone flight. Clyde Pangborn and Hugh Herndon teamed up in an effort to be the first to span […]
Ask Paul: What’s the best oil for my airplane?
Q: Paul, I fly my single engine Comanche two to three times a month during our cold winter months here in Wisconsin. During EAA chapter meetings and fly-outs, we debate what is the best engine oil to use? The most common answers are 15-50 multi viscosity oil or a straight weight like 80 or 100. […]
35 years and counting at Rans Aircraft
One of the most celebrated names in light aviation is Rans, a company name that both hinges on and reflects its designer and company boss, Randy Schlitter. Recently this now-familiar producer celebrated 35 years since the initial flight of its first single-seat aircraft. When the company first flew its S3 Coyote I three and a […]
Good things are happening, just look around
If you can break yourself away from the breathless stream of negative news that invades our collective inbox (digital and physical) it becomes rather easy to see all the good that is happening around us. Don’t believe me? A new Ranger on duty From the mind — and wallet — of a successful entrepreneur by […]
Dream a little dream and see where it takes you
There is a magical spot in Washington, D.C. I’ve just recently discovered. The spot has been there for years. Eons, in fact. But the inspirational quality of it has only become apparent relatively recently. Thank goodness I was fortunate enough to happen upon it and reflect on its power. The spot I’m so enthralled by […]
Pilot Perspectives: Rod Machado
By DEREK ROBERTS. “You can make people cry or you can make them laugh.” A quip, by longtime CFI and renowned aviation author Rod Machado that almost perfectly encapsulates his unique and identifiable style. As any reader of Machado’s can attest, his material — seven books, countless articles, and dozens of videos — is as […]
Nobody’s flying the plane
During one of my airline simulator training sessions, the instructor put us about 10 miles from an initial approach fix, then she asked us to turn around so she could show us something. So focused were we on her, the first officer and I forgot to pay attention to the thrust levers. While she was […]
Ask Paul: Can I increase the horsepower of this Lycoming engine?
The 300 horsepower engine is a completely different breed altogether and you can’t get there by converting your engine unfortunately.