Historically, adversity brings out the best and the worst in humans. That’s certainly been true throughout America’s history. Lately, we’ve had plenty of adversity on our plate, a sad reality that presents the opportunity for individuals to show grace and generosity — which they did. It started with a storm named Harvey that blasted into […]
Opinion
What is fueling high engine temps?
Q: I bought a 1972 Cessna 177B with an O-360 a few months ago. It had 900 hours on the engine. My first 20 hours I would use 23 squared and pull the mixture back to 10 gph or less, then watch the cylinder head temperatures, monitoring to keep the hottest (#2) around 385°. When […]
A best guess does not equal a good plan
Hurricane Irma came to visit the other day. Unbidden and unwelcome, she stomped up from the south through 200 miles of the sandbar I call home, came right up to our door, knocked with great vigor, and moved on to north. As of this writing I have no electricity, no Internet connection, very spotty cell […]
8 things you might not know about a remote tower system
Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport (FNL) is the busiest non-towered airport in Colorado. Air traffic is a busy mix of commercial air service, military operations and a wide variety of private aircraft. FNL will also set the standard for remote tower systems in the United States. In late July, the Federal Aviation Administration selected Ottawa, Canada-based […]
Hood River Fly-In challenged by forest fires
HOOD RIVER, Ore. – Since 2007, the Hood River Fly-In has earned a smokin’ hot reputation as a premier antique aircraft fly-in. In 2017, “smokin’” turned literal as nearby forest fires enveloped the area around Ken Jernstedt Airfield (4S2) in smoke and a trio of TFRs. In 2016, several hundred aircraft from all over descended […]
‘Cobras come calling
It was rare — almost like lottery-winning rare — as three World War II Bell P-63 Kingcobras and one predecessor P-39 Airacobra landed at Wittman Field in late July for EAA AirVenture 2017 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. These aluminum ‘Cobras have become more furtive than their reptilian namesakes. To see one at an air show is […]
Correcting for the fallacy of infallibility
Each of us who takes a command position, regardless of the endeavor, must strike a balance between knowing and believing. One represents a conclusion. The other is little more than a hope. In any situation where management of people or ideas is required, there is a gray area that exists in the gap between those […]
12 miles away, a world apart
As the crow — or drone flies – Santa Monica (SMO) and Van Nuys (VNY) airports are just 12 nautical miles apart. But they might as well be on different planets. While Santa Monica seeks to give their airport a 1,500-foot haircut, Van Nuys is crowing – rightly so – about a number of achievements […]
Atol triphibian for sky, sea, or snow
To many observers, the development of Light-Sport Aircraft seaplanes is fast-paced, inventive, and intriguing. You may have read about entries from the USA, Europe, or New Zealand. How about Finland? “Finland has 188,000 lakes,” said Anssi Rekula, cofounder and sales director for Atol Avion, producer of the Atol LSA seaplane. “We know the joys of […]