During takeoff, after rotating and becoming airborne, and while increasing airspeed, there was a violent fluttering of the flight controls observed that negatively affected the controllability of the aircraft. The effects were severe enough that I do not believe that we would have been able to successfully complete an entire lap in the traffic pattern to land back at the airport.
Picture of the Day: Power
William Vergonet submitted this photo and note: “My wife and I work for Fullard Flight at Dekalb-Peachtree Airport (KPDK) in Georgia and, as I love to say, ‘together we keep humans safe while they pretend to be birds.’ We installed this IO-550 with a scimitar propeller together. This photo just screams power to me.”
After replacing almost everything in my engine, why is there metal in my oil filter?
My advice to all who have or will experience metal contamination in an engine: Replace the oil cooler and hoses rather than taking a chance.
A famed Mustang takes to the air again
The P-51C “Thunderbird,” one of the most recognizable Mustangs from the post-war era, recently had its first flight after its restoration. Warren Pietsch, a founding board member of the Dakota Territory Air Museum and a famed warbird pilot, hired AirCorps Aviation to complete the restoration of his P-51C. Pilot Bernie Vasquez returned the 1949 Bendix race winner to the air in early June 2023.
Georgia high school team wins Aviation Design Challenge
“GAMA continues to be inspired by the effort and creativity we see put forth by all the teams competing in the Aviation Design Challenge,” said Pete Bunce, GAMA president and CEO. “We congratulate McIntosh High School and Gonzaga College High School for the insightful work they put into the challenge, especially as both teams were first time entrants.”
New owner for Finnoff Aviation Products
The private equity firm that also owns Blackhawk Aerospace and AVEX Aviation is the Broomfield, Colorado-based company’s new owner.
Stinson crashes trying to avoid van on the runway
A runway incursion, which resulted in a go-around, and subsequent forced landing when the airplane was not able to climb at a rate sufficient to clear approaching rising terrain.
Picture of the Day: Pitts Special
Joe Fernandez submitted this photo and note: “Andrea McGilvray and her Pitts Special at South Texas Regional Airport (KHDO) in Hondo, Texas.”
The question of ownership
I was having enough difficulty paying for my flight lessons. Finding and buying an airplane was just crazy. Or so I thought.