The dad of an airline-bound student pilot writes: I know I probably shouldn’t, but I find myself reading about pretty much every small airplane crash online, and much of the time I find myself shaking my head and asking myself, “What was the pilot thinking?” So that’s my question: Don’t they teach pilots to think in flight school? Or is it all just about how to operate the controls?
Opinion
How did I get here?
When I was 15 years old I had a plan for where my life would take me. It was a very specific plan, one that I followed for many years with great diligence. Then, I took a turn in an unexpected direction. That new road led me here. To where I am now. To a whole new place where I feel comfortable and content.
Hamilton Metalplane’s pedigree
There’s a reason the Hamilton Metalplane reminds you of a Ford Trimotor. The original Ford 3-AT Trimotor, as well as the Hamilton aircraft, were worked on by a young aircraft designer named James McDonnell — yes, that James McDonnell.
At SUN ‘n FUN or SnF adjacent
Aero-nuts across the land are looking to central Florida for their first big outing of the year. It’s all about SUN ‘n FUN for the next couple weeks. Getting there, reveling in the wonder of it all, and getting home again. It’s a process — one that requires a bit of planning and patience and perhaps a touch of persistence.
Risk mitigation 101
How did a fatal mid-air collision happen? The answer to that question is not casual query. In a very real sense, our lives depend on finding the likely answer and including that knowledge in our future flying.
Airpark amenities survey online
What features are a must-have versus nice-to-have when considering a home on an airpark?
Finding them a new home
Art is subjective. Finding a new home for some of my parents’ pieces is important to me.
Don’t miss, or diss, the small shows
While the big shows, like EAA AirVenture Oshkosh and SUN ‘n FUN, are on many pilot’s bucket list, the smaller regional and local air shows and fly-ins offer some great experiences.
Six tips to becoming a good CFI
Anyone who is a CFI or wishes to become a CFI should take these few tips as the bare minimum commitment on their journey to becoming a truly effective, efficient, professional CFI.