By PETER M. BOWERS. In the last issue, we looked at the SA-1 (Ship’s Aeroplane) developed by the U.S. Naval Aircraft Factory at the end of World War I. Although an oldie with many features that were outdated even for 1919, it deserves more attention, as it has many features that are applicable to today’s […]
Opinion
The No. 1 question of oil experts: How often should oil be changed?
You are probably thinking that someone who worked for an oil company would recommend more frequent oil changes so that more oil is sold. However, the choice is really quite simple: You can spend more on oil or you can spend more at the engine shop. Oil is a lot cheaper than engine parts.
The fine print: Your logbook has many of the answers you need
QUESTION: I own a 1968 Cherokee 140 with a 160 hp O-320-D2A engine that was installed prior to my purchase of the aircraft. According to the logbook endorsement and the tach installed in the aircraft, the redline on the engine was reduced when the new engine was hung. The new redline is 2,550 instead of […]
Growing the next generation
“Ready? Here we go!” The 15-year-old girl sitting next to me tentatively put her left hand on the yoke and her right hand on the throttle. With my hand over hers she pushed the throttle forward. Our mighty Cessna 172 began to roll down the runway. She craned her neck, still a little short to […]
Who are they trying to kid?
Just wanted to add my two cents to your latest Letters to Editor about Bush vs. Kerry and the state of GA. Neither of the two will have a significant effect on GA. We need to focus our attention on those members who supposedly support us in Congress. They will by far impact us more […]
He’s making a list… checking it twice
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Santa always has a special bag of goodies that he brings to the busy aviation folk here in the nation’s capital. Information about the contents of this year’s bag, like every other secret in this city, was leaked to the press. Fortunately, Santa considers General Aviation News a top news source, so […]
Placing the blame
Cork Biemond makes a good point about the unfairness of the Sport Pilot driver’s license medical ruling excluding pilots who have previously been denied (Unelected bureaucrats pervert sport pilot) in the Oct 15 issue. He puts the blame on the wrong agency, however. Remember that the FAA approved the rule as it was originally written […]
Sport Pilot: A disaster waiting to happen
I fear that I may be one of the few pilots in the country who does not warmly welcome the announcement of the new Sport Pilot ruling by the FAA. My concern is not with aircraft that fall in the lighter-than-air, weight-shift, gyroplanes and powered parachutes categories. Rather, my fear resides with the proposed Sport […]
What’s up doc?
How important is your choice of Aviation Medical Examiner? Very important, it seems. I recently received two e-mails from a newspaper requesting information about a doctor who had lost his medical license, but continued to do FAA medicals. Apparently, the doctor lost his privileges at a couple of hospitals due to a head injury he […]