I believe Paul McBride may have given some bad advice regarding not pulling the prop through on engines that are not being used regularly (“Ask Paul: Prepare your plane for winter,” Nov. 9 issue). Unless Teledyne Continental Motors changed its policy recently, it “requires” the prop be pulled through every seven days or the warranty […]
It’s all about priorities: It takes creativity to keep flying these days
Nowadays, when there is considerable cost involved just getting to the airport, folks often ask me how we survive financially as a flying family. I have to be creative to keep those flying dollars liberated, and as the price of automotive and aviation fuels rise — affecting our household budget across the board — I […]
What’s in a name?
What does it take to have an airport named for you? How about setting an around-the-world speed record? In 1938 there was an effort to rename an airport in Texas to honor Howard Hughes (pictured) after he circled the world in 91 hours, besting the previous record by four days. For a short time, Houston […]
No more takeoffs for Red Baron Pizza Squadron
After 28 years of air show performances, Schwan Food Co.’s Red Baron Pizza Squadron is retiring. A “refocusing” in marketing strategy at the company led to the squadron’s grounding, according to Bill McCormack, executive vice president. “The Red Baron Squadron has been an incredible asset to our company,” he said. “The retail grocery industry has […]
Expect big battles in Congress next year: User fees, runway safety and overworked controllers just the beginning of the conflicts
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democrats in Congress recently attacked the FAA over runway incursions and air traffic controller conditions — and were immediately rebutted by the FAA and a Republican member of the aviation committee, an indication there will be strong conflicts next year. Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, […]
There are no stupid questions… Just unusual ones that, unfortunately, don’t have the desired answer
This seems like a stupid question but I’m going to ask anyway. Did Lycoming ever have a service kit to put hydraulic lifters into the O-235? I’ve got a group of owners in a 152 Cessna who seem likely to trade back and forth on the oil changes and forget the valve lash check. They’re […]
Own a certified airplane? Just say no to ethanol
In my Nov. 23 column, “”What effect does ethanol have on airplanes?””, I tried to answer the question of what to do if you end up accidentally getting some auto gas that contains ethanol in your airplane. I had intended this to be information for people who tried to use non-ethanol containing auto gas, but […]
December 2005 Accident Reports
The pilot’s failure to maintain Vmc (velocity minimum control) on initial climb, resulting in a loss of control.
Epps family celebrates a century of flight
This year the state of Georgia is celebrating its centennial of powered flight. Celebrating along with the rest of the state is the Epps family, for it was Ben Epps who started it all and his descendents have played major roles in Georgia aviation from that day to this. In 1907, only four years after […]