Once I began flying the line, I rarely thought about seat positions and calibrations. At a certain point, takeoffs and landings in an airliner are all about holding a particular deck angle. That generally means eyes more inside on the artificial horizon than outside. Plus the time pressures we were under to run our checklists, […]
Opinion
Technology lost: A very real possibility
Modern society exists in its present form, all over the world, because humans have developed, deployed, and adapted to technologies that make our lives easier, more pleasant, and longer than ever before. Every phase of life is improved to some degree by the availability of technologies we use without the slightest thought. These technologies are […]
Ask Paul: What to do about a broken stud?
Q: If on a radial engine (specifically a Warner) one finds one stud broken at the flange level, would you recommend replacing all the affected cylinder studs? I assume cylinder movement caused the break. Gennaro Avolio A: I believe in this particular situation I would only replace the broken stud. However, I would very closely […]
The magic number is 30 — for now
The number of pilots in the United States is decreasing. Pretty much anyone who flies is aware of this unfortunate fact. Consider the irony: Although aviation is more ubiquitous than ever and the overall population of the nation is increasing, the number of us who have a valid pilot’s certificate is actually diminishing. In my […]
Do something
Frederick, Maryland, has an amenity often missing in my home town: Sidewalks. Where I live they’re spotty at best. Hence, it’s common for walkers to get into a gasoline powered vehicle which they drive to a place where they can walk without undue risk of being hit by a car, or a truck, or perhaps […]
What’s fueling higher engine temps?
Q: I own a factory overhauled O-360 A4A, which I’ve owned since it left the factory. I’ve flown behind it for 600 hours. I recently had a prop strike and the engine was stripped and reassembled with no damage found. All they replaced were the exhaust valve guides and piston rings. (And all the rest as per […]
The great migration of 1940
January 1940 saw a mass migration of light planes from throughout the United States to Florida. Held in conjunction with the Miami All-American Air Maneuver Air Races, the group flights of personal planes was known as the Light Airplane Cavalcade. Under the sponsorship of the Gulf Oil Co. and the manufacturers of Cub, Taylorcraft and […]
Limiting our freedom of speech
The founders of this great nation — I refer to the United States of America, of course — did an amazing thing when they debated and passed a Bill of Rights. These 10 amendments to a Constitution so new the ink was still wet on the page set out specific areas of freedom for individuals and, more importantly, limits for […]
Able Flight celebrates, raises funds
HOUSTON, Texas – The population of pilots with disabilities grows each year. Not by a lot, but in a very meaningful way. Thanks to Able Flight. Founded in 2006, Able Flight has played a part in helping more than 40 people with some form of physical disability earn a pilot certificate. In order to keep […]