By JEB BURNSIDE. A variety of sources detailing the Wright brothers’ research methods and conclusions prior to the successful first powered flight note their study of birds. From that study, they observed and identified the ways soaring birds changed their wings’ shape to control the flight path. That data led to conceiving and implementing wing […]
Opinion
Tips to restart an idle airplane
Q: Because of medical problems, my IO-720 has not run in six months. While always hangared, the hangar is sometimes damp. The question is what to do in re-starting? Do we open it up and clean, or change the oil often? Larry Smith A: Larry, first of all, we certainly hope all of your medical issues are […]
I searched for excellence — and I found it
In many ways I’m a creature of habit. Of course, some habits are more obvious than others. For instance, I eat every day. More than I need to, in fact. That’s a habit. Not a particularly good one, and not one that I am proud of, but it is a habit, so I include it […]
Debates without (much) politics
The nation appears almost hypnotized by the ongoing spectacle of this year’s presidential debates. Sometimes these highly watched broadcasts have real substance to them, but many describe them as political theater, an apt term when a clash of personalities drives ratings as much as discussion of important current events. At the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, […]
The great equalizer in the sky
In this political season, like every political season, we see divisions forming. In many cases those cracks in the American facade happen between people who would be better served by a united force. Each candidate has their followers. Every point of view has an advocate. Parties square off for battle, often over problems that will […]
Stoking the fire within
Deep within the hearts and souls of those who fly is a desire to repeat the experience. Whether our last flight was three days ago, three years ago, or three decades ago, the flame still burns. We want to fly. We occasionally dream of flying. And we plan to one day, someday, fly again. That’s […]
What about SARA?
“The department continues to be bullish on new technology,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx in a Feb. 24, 2016 release about the FAA’s efforts to expand the safe integration of unmanned aircraft. “We recognize the significant industry interest in expanding commercial access to the National Airspace System. The short deadline reinforces our commitment to […]
There’s a spouse in my head
I once told a friend that my first passenger on earning my private pilot license would be my brother-in-law and not my spouse, because flying my spouse would put too much pressure on me. At least I knew that much about myself. So it was with that in mind that I queried NASA’s Aviation Safety […]
Entertainment, education all around
What do the 1929 Powder Puff Derby, the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, the adventures of an airplane fanatic, the de Havilland Mosquito, and drones all have in common? All of these topics — and many more — have recently crossed my desk over the last few weeks. You see, general aviation is vast. Simply put, if it flies […]