The article on page 6 in the Jan. 19 issue, Snakes on a Plane, got my attention. I don’t know of anybody who’d ever want to be in a cockpit with a snake — but me. During World War II, prior to going overseas to the ETO, I was flying P-39s during Texas Maneuvers. Somehow […]
Opinion
EGT: What’s normal
If you notice a sudden change compared to what you’ve experienced, then a chat with your maintenance technician might be in order.
What’s your motivation?
What’s your motivation when it comes to flying? Do you fly because it’s something you enjoy? Do you fly because you are building your hours to get a better paying job? If you have a career in aviation, the answer to both of those questions is probably yes. When you lose that motivation it is […]
LEAVE OPINION OUT OF ACCIDENT REPORTS
In the Dec. 15, 2006, issue in the Accident Reports the headline reads “Contaminated fuel contributes to crash that kills two.” After reading the full narrative of the probable cause I found no reference in the report to suggest that “fuel contamination” was the cause for the tragedy. Your report also stated “there was speculation […]
Fair is fair
I am writing to express my concern over overt actions of Washington State’s Spokane International Airport Board and staff in negotiations with Spokane Airways regarding lease terms. In describing these actions, vendetta is perhaps too strong a word, but that is what comes to mind after perceiving (for better than a year) that the airport […]
Senators push TSA to ramp up GA security: ‘More robust plan’may be on the way
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Some members of Congress want general aviation to undergo the same security checks as airline passengers — and the head of the Transportation Security Administration told senators that TSA is “”looking at steps”” to improve its general aviation tactics, and added that “”a more robust plan”” is on the way. At a […]
Are dual mags reliable?
I own a Cessna R-182 that has a Lycoming O-540 J3C5D engine. It seems like a great engine and runs well. I have a concern about the “”dual-pack”” type magnetos that run off a common gear. Yesterday, another pilot told me of an engine failure that he had years ago in a Cherokee Six where […]
Bill Lear and surplus WWII aircraft-what’s the connection?
Finding the real story behind a specific work of art often can be as satisfying as a good mystery thriller, especially when seemingly unrelated events leads one to the image being depicted. I don’t remember exactly how it happened, but there I was talking on the phone to William P. Lear Jr. During the conversation […]
Ethanol warning
In your Dec. 1 issue Thomas Norton had a brief article, “FAA warns ‘mogas’ users about ethanol.” I was glad to see an article informing readers about the growing usage of ethanol in auto fuel and how it will violate the STC allowing its use. However, Mr. Norton was in error when he stated that […]