Stories are all around us. All we have to do is look. Sometimes it is as simple as opening an envelope. You remember what an envelope is, don’t you? I open all the mail General Aviation News receives. Makes sense, since I’m the only one who picks up the mail. On the back of a […]
Opinion
Sonex B, now available in red!
Pardon a little fun in the title. I recalled the line long ago attributed to Henry Ford, “You can have any color Model T you want, as long as it’s black.” Sonex Aircraft had so regularly brought bright yellow airplanes to airshows, folks could be excused for thinking that was the only color available. Of […]
Peeling back the layers of an aeronautical onion
Last week one of my kids jumped on a transport category aircraft and flew more than a thousand miles north, to New York City. She ate dinner in central Florida, but found herself on the island of Manhattan before midnight. While she was en route, I monitored her flight using an app on my phone. […]
Will exhaust system fit narrow and wide deck engines?
Q: Will the exhaust system for a Lycoming O-320 wide deck fit a O-320 narrow deck engine on an experimental? Vern Darley Peachtree City, Georgia A: Vern it sounds like you’re getting ready for a fun project, so hopefully this information will give you a positive start. The answer to your question is YES, the […]
Smells like desperation
“Let us be the solution to your New Year’s Resolution” was printed on the backside of a postcard I received in the mail. Huh? What resolution? After reading the other side of the postcard, apparently my 2017 resolution is to be an underpaid professional pilot. For kicks I clicked through to FlyCommutAir.com to see what […]
Rewiring the machinery
As a species, human beings are dissatisfied with the status quo. Thank goodness. Virtually all the great developments in technology, the massive leaps in scientific achievement, have come about because someone was fed up with their perceived limitations. They rebelled. They overcame. Often in the face of real physical and financial peril, they improved the […]
How reliable is my magneto?
Q: I just read an article about the reliability of the mag in my TR182 and would like to know if there are any recent SBs or ADs on it. Royal Adderson A: Any information regarding the Bendix Dual Magneto should be available at any FAA approved repair station where you have you aircraft and engine […]
Strange but true
At the end of last year, I presented you all with a gift of heroic acts from the annals of the reports in NASA’s Aviation Safety Reporting System, in the pilots’ own words. This year I give you “unusual cockpit occurrences.” Some have been edited for clarity and length. Enjoy and happy holidays! Sand trap […]
Shark flies in American skies
When you look at this new-to-Americans aircraft, you might have a vague recollection of one or more aircraft that looked something like Shark. Are you fuzzy about that recollection? That’s understandable. It’s been a decade since FlyItalia’s MD3 Rider had U.S. representation. MD3 did earn Special LSA approval, taking its place on our SLSA List […]