In the last month, I’ve received many calls and e-mails from more than a dozen flight schools. Here, I will try to reduce the confusion — and some alarm — regarding IFR (flying by instrument reference) and LSA. ASTM’s F37 committee is comprised of people with technical knowledge and they have done the nearly-impossible: Start […]
Opinion
New terminology from air traffic controllers coming Sept. 30
Pilots will hear new terminology from air traffic controllers as they wait for takeoff clearance beginning Sept. 30. Instead of “position and hold,” pilots will hear “line up and wait.” The new instructions were recommended by the National Transportation Safety Board and conforms to international terminology. The phrase “traffic holding in position” will continue to […]
Outsmarting the slur of “designed by committee”
It has been said that a camel is a horse designed by committee. That suggestion disparages neither the horse nor the camel, but it is not particularly kind to the abilities of the committee — and with good reason. A good horse is sleek, fast, powerful, and robust. A camel on the other hand is […]
How government SNAFU detained Kings at gunpoint and in handcuffs
If you find yourself in a situation similar to that of John and Martha King, with police officers pointing guns at you as you exit your aircraft, just follow their instructions. That is the advice of John King after he and his wife, Martha, were held at gunpoint for about a half-hour Aug. 28 when […]
$100 ‘Q sandwiches
This Short Final was written by Walt Burton, a dear friend of Deb McFarland’s, as she recovers from surgery. I send greetings from Statesboro, way down here in southeast Georgia. I wouldn’t say that it’s been hot here, but I did see two gnats fanning each other to stay cool. Fortunately, the air temperature up […]
Flying Car frenzy
Call them flying cars, flying motorcycles, flying dune buggies, or roadable aircraft. Regardless of the correct term, a growing wave of these car-to-airplane machines are in various stages of development. One of the newest entries is a kit with the lowest projected price among the group; all others are fully built and carry larger price […]
‘We’ve got a plane for that!
SportairUSA, run by proprietor Bill Canino, has long been an innovator in the LSA business. His company doesn’t build airplanes, but Canino has triggered several interesting add-ons: He was one of the first (along with Flight Design USA) to install parachutes on all StingSports; he developed the GreenLine engine monitor system; he offered the Straight […]
Ask Paul: Are these spark plugs approved for my plane?
Q: Could you please help my pretty blonde wife and myself with our spark plug problem? We are desperate! Our mechanic is going to put the new fine wire plugs we just bought into our 1976 Cessna Cardinal RG, but we have conflicting information on the proper plug. We bought some SR83P plugs from a […]
Despite creative nicknames, the show must go on
The names flew around on the strangest beginning to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh since long before it acquired the three-name title EAA prefers these days. Known to legions of visitors and exhibitors as Oshkosh, the summer celebration of flight generated some new variations this year. I heard “Sploshkosh,” “Washkosh,” and “Sloshkosh,” and I’m sure more colorful […]