Cassandra, working on her Sport Pilot ticket on the Florida coast, writes: I’ve just started my flight training, and have learned about the two different ways that altitude is expressed: AGL and MSL. Above Ground Level is self-explanatory, but I’m having a harder time wrapping my head around Mean Sea Level. I mean, I get that it’s the altitude above sea level, but what’s the “mean” all about?
Opinion
Dear Billy
If the FAA stood up and told my state, and all states, that an approved fuel is on the books and will be making its way to all states as soon as possible, I believe that would go a long way toward calming the anti-lead crowd and encouraging those in the business of making and delivering fuel.
The other DECIDE model
Students cancel lessons, show up unprepared, and generally fail to make significant progress toward their goal of learning to fly for one specific reason. They don’t really understand the process of learning a complex subject that includes multiple components of knowledge combined with mechanical skill.
When is the best time to take an oil sample from my aircraft engine?
I usually take my oil analysis samples when the engine is cold. The logic is that all the oil has drained, and the volume removed should be a bit better. Should I be doing something differently?
The powerful importance of scheduling well
A CFI is a service provider. We charge the customer a specified dollar amount for instruction. If the service is good, customers come back. If the service is lacking, customers tend to go elsewhere. And as service providers we win or lose based on the quality and timeliness of the service we provide.
Human Factors: No gentleman
In a strange case of life imitating art, an Oregon pilot crashes into the ocean after learning he has Stage 4 cancer. Can we learn anything from this crash?
What is causing that popping noise in my engine?
Question for Paul McBride, General Aviation News’ engines expert: I’ve noticed that if I reduce the throttle quickly I get a popping noise from the exhaust for a few seconds that then quits. A slow reduction in power to idle doesn’t cause it.
World’s oldest Liberator is the CAF’s crown jewel
The Commemorative Air Force’s B-24 Diamond Lil has been flying more than 80 years. More than a half-century of that time has been under CAF stewardship. Lil has never looked better.
Fear not the feds
It is a head-scratcher for me to understand why so many of us are afraid to seek real help from the folks who have the greatest control over our future as active participants in the industry: The FAA. With air show season underway, FAA personnel are at the biggest shows ready to lend a hand, solve problems, and keep you flying.