The question each of us must ask ourselves is this: Do I really want to be minimally qualified? Would my friends and family be comfortable flying with me if they knew I was actively avoiding situations where I would have to prove my worth as a pilot?
Opinion
Avgas from the Wright brothers to today
There is still a lot of confusion about the transition to a new unleaded avgas, especially around the differences between fuels approved through the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) and a specification from the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). It may help to look at the history of specifications for avgas.
A cleaner way to change your oil filter
“The tool’s sole purpose when used along with manual or pneumatic vacuum pumps, is to extract fluids such as engine oil, diesel fuel, and hydraulic fluids from spin-on filters prior to removal.”
Living in era of technological breakthroughs
For all the fear, negativity, and derision we hear in the news and on social media, I continue to believe we live in amazing times. Our lives are immeasurably improved by access to increasingly inexpensive, more reliable, more capable technologies.
Progress at Van’s Aircraft
Bankruptcy is tough. I’m glad to see Van’s is making progress.
Racing an eclipse
Staying the path of an eclipse for 74 minutes without the benefit of a magenta line.
Good news from California
Oceano County Airport lives to fly another day.
Avoiding self-induced emergencies
While we might like to believe we’re on top of things and fully competent, the truth is well over half of all general aviation accidents are caused by pilot-related issues. Nearly 70%. Which invites the question: Are we really aware of the risks we face?
Questions from the Cockpit: Fake weight
Becky, a student pilot in Florida, writes: I’m fully caffeinated and working my way through Chapter 10 of the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge to get my head around this weight and balance stuff. I just encountered “standard weights.” The good book says that standard weights are “established weights” and “should be used if actual weights are not available.” Then the first thing on the list is gasoline at 6 pounds per gallon. Huh? How can the weight of gas be a mystery? It weighs what it weighs…right?