Saturday morning, June 2nd, dawned crisp and clear in Calaveras County, Calif. My Christen Eagle II was polished and ready for the short flight to Merced. It was the 50th anniversary of their annual antique fly-in and, even though N70CE is only 10 years old, she’s always been a welcome addition to any display area. […]
WHAT ABOUT THE C-130 AND B-52?
I was surprised that your list of greatest airplanes didn’t include the longest lived military planes in the U.S. inventory. I refer to the C-130 and B-52. I guess the reason is your readers are general aviation folks and they have not had much exposure to these two incredible airplanes. The C-130 has indeed seen […]
DONALD DOUGLAS WEIGHS IN ON THE GREATEST PLANE
I sure enjoyed the latest issue of General Aviation News, especially the article “The Greatest Aircraft Ever” (June 8 issue). On a historical note, a few years before aircraft designer Donald Douglas died, I had located his address and wrote him a letter. In my letter, one of the questions I asked him, in addition to […]
The new baby
You know you’re hard core into aviation when you send pictures of your wife and the new engine for your homebuilt aircraft to your friends. Marty Bryant of Covington, Wash., (left) hugs the LOM M462-RF that she and husband Neil intend to hang on the front of their Comp Air, which they are building as […]
Toast the 80th anniversary of Lindbergh’s famous flight
To celebrate the 80th anniversary of Charles Lindbergh’s New York-to-Paris flight, the Lindbergh Foundation and Chandelle Winery of Sonoma, Calif., are offering a special limited edition labeled wine: The 19th Hour, The Spirit of St Louis. The original artwork for the new label, created by aviation artist Keith Ferris, and badged with a special 80th […]
Increased security in the works: Expect stricterr egulations later this year
WASHINGTON, D.C. — After security measures were established for commercial aviation, general aviation has been waiting for the other shoe to drop to see what might be planned for personal and business flights. It’s dropping. The Department of Homeland Security is now talking with various aviation groups and elected officials to test the waters about […]
What’s the best oil for my engine? Our oil expert weighs in on this reader’s question
I have a Lycoming AEIO-360 in my Pitts S1S. I have been running AeroShell 100W Plus for years. Some buddies I fly with have been using an Amsoil oil (I’m not sure the number). What is the best oil and weight to run in this engine? Thanks. CHUCK ROBERTS via email Chuck, yours is one […]
The positives of unleaded gas
In my last column, Unleaded avgas: You’d have to be insane to try to develop it (June 22 issue), I discussed the downside to the proposed lead phase out for aircraft piston engine fuels. But, like most things in life, there’s also a positive side to the issue. In my last column, Unleaded avgas: You’d […]
June 2005 Accident Reports
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Contributing to the accident were the high, rising terrain and fatigue.