During my second test flight, I noticed cruise oil pressure at 55 PSI. As it has the longer housing regulator, I added three washers and replaced the check ball. The result was oil pressure at cruise around 65 PSI and 40 PSI at idle. It’s within spec, but I’d like some more room over minimums.
Aircraft
Picture of the Day: Triple Tree departure
Bill Gideon submitted this photo and note: “My Cessna 170B departing the 2023 Triple Tree Fly-In (SC00).”
PK Floats flies into its 70th year
“Our company has produced over 1,500 sets of aircraft floats over the past 70 years,” said Patrick McGowan, president.
Picture of the Day: P-51 on takeoff
Matthew Baker submitted this photo and note: “This photo was taken at Bartow Executive Airport (KBOW) in Florida, which has a long history with the P-51 back to World War II and started in 1943 as a training facility. To this day those same runways still have P-51s using them.”
Questions from the Cockpit: Weighty words
Noah, a student pilot in Arizona, writes: I’m trying to get my head around weight and balance, especially the terms: Moment, arm, station, datum… None of them seem particularly descriptive. Can you help me out?
General aviation airports suffer from costly mismanagement
In his study of 236 general aviation airports in Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida, Michael Jones found “dozens of examples of politicians making perfectly logical decisions which were completely wrong for an airport.”
Reno Air Racing Association to celebrate 60th anniversary with air show
Headlining the event are two military jet teams: The United States Navy Blue Angels and the Canadian Royal Air Force Snowbirds.
New controller for flight simmers debuts
Exclusively available for purchase at YawmanFlight.com and Sporty’s Pilot Shop, the controller combines a yoke, throttle quadrant, and mechanically-linked rudder pedals together in a handheld package. Price: $249.
No flight experience proves fatal for kit airplane builder
The noncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane, which led to the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and subsequent aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to attempt a flight with no previous flight experience.