Congratulations to GANews on your articles in the April 8th issue on the increasing dangers to airports due to encroachment. It is a nationwide issue and pilots must pay attention and get involved now, or find themselves without an airport to use. While the nationwide aviation organizations do an excellent job, they cannot do it […]
The Lighning’s mystery and the artist’s passion
There’s something about a P-38. A poker face turns into a smile when you start talking about the Lightning. If you have never touched one or seen one swoosh by with those turbocharged Allison engines singing their beautiful tune, then you’ve missed a great joy in life. And those who have been fortunate enough to […]
Glacier Giel by the numbers
Would you like Glacier Girl to fly at your fly-in or air show? It’s possible, for a price. One of the rarest airplanes around, P-38s are not operationally inexpensive. According to Bob Cardin, operations manager for Glacier Girl, it costs $2,300 an hour to fly the grand old dame. That includes fuel, pilot salary and […]
A 60-something celebration
On May 28, 1943, the first class of Women Airforce Service Pilots graduated from Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas. Now, 62 years to the date, the field will host another WASP first, the first WASP Memorial Day Fly-In. About 25 WASP from around the country are slated to attend the event, which will feature aircraft […]
Debate continues on Capital Hill over user fees
WASHINGTON, D.C. — How to fund the FAA was the subject of still another hearing in the House of Representatives and the notion of user charges raised its ugly head higher, lifted by testimony from James May, president and CEO of the airlines’ Air Transport Association (ATA) and comments from several government witnesses. In his […]
Worries about a warranty?
From time to time I receive letters regarding various questions about warranties. If you’re like most people, it’s very seldom we really read and understand a warranty on a product. Having been responsible for the warranty on Lycoming engines at one point during my career there, I can tell you that gives one a whole […]
Marvel Mystery Oil and TCP: A cure for valve sticking?
Dennis Corsi recently sent a note, detailing his problem: “”We operate a 1980 Cessna 182 RG with a Lycoming O-540. Recently, the number one exhaust valve push rod bent. We have been adding Marvel Mystery Oil ever since, but I sense that we are not quite solving the problem.”” He went on to state that […]
‘Tailwind vs. Cougar’
By PETER M. BOWERS. Throughout the homebuilt movement many designs have a strong resemblance to others. The all-time toppers in this area are the Wittman “Tailwind” and the Nesmith “Cougar.” The “Tailwind” came on the scene first, back at the very beginning of the present homebuilt era. Steve Wittman of Oshkosh, Wis., was a schoolteacher […]
Over-the-counter drugs contribute to fatal crash
These May 2003 Accident Reports are provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, they are intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others. Aircraft: Piper Super Cub. Location: Ashland, Maine. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Aircraft damage: Substantial What reportedly happened: The pilot was supposed to maneuver at a low […]