By PETER M. BOWERS. This is a classic Of Wings & Things from the 1980s. GAN continues to run the late Mr. Bowers’ columns for the enjoyment of his readers. The Travel Air biplane, introduced in 1925, is the most numerous example of the pre-1930 antiques still flying. Although there were well over 40 different […]
Opinion
ATC: A potentially explosive problem
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Not since 1981, when the air traffic controllers struck the FAA and then-President Ronald Reagan ordered them fired and replaced, has the air traffic control situation been as potentially explosive as it is now. After nine months of bitter contract negotiations, by law the mess went to the Congress, which had 60 […]
Under construction: Airparks as a way to save airports?
I moved to the Tacoma, Wash., area in 1970 and almost since that first day I can remember threats being sounded about Tacoma Narrows Airport (TIW). The airport is located in the county across a bridge from the City of Tacoma, very close to the small community of Gig Harbor. Because the airport is owned […]
Diesel engines and GA: A good combination?
QUESTION: What is the state of art and the development of diesel engines for GA? Why is it better to put a diesel engine on a GA aircraft than a conventional one? Alex Rougier Turin, Italy ANSWER: In the last issue, we started our discussion of this topic (Why is it better to put a […]
Column sadly shortsighted
Prove it! (Touch & Go, May 19 issue) OR WHAT, you’ll continue to stick your head in the sand? Tom Norton’s article ridiculing gloom-and-doom, Henny-Pennys may have been cute, but was sadly shortsighted. Whether one wants to accept what most scientists already understand about the limits of future oil and the causes of global warming, […]
Read needs some help
Back a few years ago I worked with John Morse at the New Hampshire Highway Department design offices. One of the many stories I heard from him was the one about him being on an Atlantic Clipper (The flying palace, April 7 issue) in either 1938 or 1939. Taking off from San Juan, Puerto Rico, […]
Tell us the solution
Ben Visser’s article, Can you hear me now? Are cell phones bad news around fueling operations? (May 5 issue), is very timely with the new Light Sport Aircraft. I just purchased a Tecnam Bravo. The reason is that the Rotax engine really does not like leaded fuel and the manual says to use premium auto […]
Another suggestion for troubleshooting
I enjoyed reading Paul McBride’s article on the problem the fellow has with high EGT (Ask Paul: Is it a sticking valve? An induction leak? May 5 issue). You have some very good tips there. However the one suggesting using a soap solution around the intake area while the engine is running seems a little […]
Researching accidents at Chapel Hill Airport
Regarding your follow-up to the letter by Mr. Morrow regarding the closure of Chapel Hill’s Horace Williams Airport (A better use for Horace Williams Airport land? May 5 issue), you stated that “We can only wonder at the basis for the statement that ‘most of us as residents of Chapel Hill regard the airport as […]