I’ve been a long-time skeptic about most General Aviation record-setting or publicity flights. Especially in this latter day of aviation, who is impressed? In any case, there’s a distinction between a flight purposefully pushing technology and the risky publicity stunt or ego exercise. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), whose cause I served at […]
Opinion
Ask Paul: What is causing mag drop?
Q: I work on a IO-360-MIA Lycoming engine. My problem is that the right mag has a drop of 220 rpm. I have done internal timings, engine to mag timings, ignition leads check and cleaned the plugs. I have done nothing to the left mag, and now the left mag is dropping to 210 rpm. […]
GA loses a champion
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Widespread dissatisfaction with politics is feeding a movement to promote limits on the length of time an elected federal politician may serve. Stripped of all its meaningless rhetoric, that movement boils down to one point: Limit the terms of those with whom I disagree, but don’t touch the ones I admire. Whatever […]
Endings, beginnings, and opportunities
Regular readers of this column may notice a small change to the bio blurb that runs below. It’s shorter. The line about being the founder and president of the Polk Aviation Alliance has been removed, because although I remain the founder, I am no longer the president. I’ve resigned. My local newspaper, which seems to […]
Rockin’ the Runways
The passing of aviation’s glory days? Much has been said. Sure, people are now more fascinated with easier, trendier, more hedonistic things. So what’s a perennial air show to do after a 2011 performer fatality and subsequently cancelled air shows? The answer: Rock and Roll! “Give ‘em what they want,” the adage goes. For many, […]
Idaho Aviation Expo set for May 16-17
The annual Idaho Aviation Expo, May 16-17 this year, is once again taking place in the 30,000-square-foot Aero Mark hangar at IDA. Admission is $10 at the door, but I’ve got some “Free Admission” tickets. Send me an email if you are interested.
NTSB recommends FAA, National Weather Service improve weather forecasts to pilots
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Transportation Safety Board said May 7 that the National Weather Service and the FAA should provide improved forecast services to pilots. NTSB officials pointed to nine areas for the two agencies to provide better information. The recommendations were based on the NTSB’s accident investigations involving aircraft encountering weather conditions, such […]
Tell your story
Perhaps it has occurred to you. as it has to me, aviation attracts high achievers like a moth to a flame. Ours is not the domain of the weak or timid. Similarly it’s not an exclusive outpost for rich, old, white guys who split their time between the golf course, the yacht club, the airport, […]
Government and GA groups differ over security actions
WASHINGTON, D.C. — While aviation groups here are seeking to reduce the way general aviation pilots are stopped for questioning about possible terror flights, at the same time a powerful Senator was declaring concern about gaps in GA security. In his opening statement at a Senate aviation subcommittee hearing April 30 about scheduled airline service […]