This past week an inexcusably argumentative exchange between a controller and a pilot, a Certificated Flight Instructor, made its way onto social media. Aside from the entertainment value some may find in this exchange, it gives aviation a black eye by linking us to the worst characteristics of humans. Arrogance, resistance to authority, complacency, deflection of blame, refusal to accept responsibility, and as if that isn’t bad enough, this all took place during an instructional flight with what we can reasonably assume was a primary student.
Opinion
I’ll take the turf
Pilots and the aircraft they fly are a diverse group. Some prefer concrete as far as the eye can see. Others see a few hundred feet of turf as ideal.
East Hampton played the long game
I’ve never been to East Hampton. But I have been to a few resort towns. Balancing what makes a place a resort (atmosphere) with what keeps a place a resort (money) will never be easy.
Ask Paul: What else can I do to discover why my EGTs and CHTs are climbing?
A Glasair owner turns to our engines expert for help in troubleshooting some higher than comfortable temperatures in his aircraft engine. A back and forth of possible solutions finds the answer.
Selfless collaboration beats selfish competition every time
Aviation is a relatively small but absolutely vital industry. For many of us general aviation is the entry point to this remarkable business, and in some cases becomes the desired destination. Together we can grow the size of the pie we work within or shrink it.
Questions from the Cockpit: Rotate what, exactly?
Riley, a CFI candidate’s non-pilot flying companion from Florida, asks: “So what’s rotating when you say ‘rotate’ during takeoff? It seems to me to be more of a pull-back than a spinning motion.”
What’s in a word?
When unleaded aviation fuel is finally available, how will that impact the oil in your airplane’s engine? Will it mean fewer oil changes?
Homeward bound
No matter how much fun you have at an airshow, the trip home is always a welcome time.
Higher RPM, better performance for your aircraft engine
Takeoff and climb show about 2,400 rpm. Out of respect for the old girl, I try to keep down to 2,200.