Arrogant social media responses hinder flight student success. Learn why seasoned aviators must abandon gatekeeping and prioritize pilot mentorship.
Politics for Pilots
There Are Stories to Tell and Stories to Remember
For all my interest in aircraft and my absolute love of being airborne, those affections pale in comparison to the thing that really kept me interested in aviation all these years: The people.
The Value Of An Hour
Some pilots have 1,000 hours of experience. Some pilots have one hour of experience repeated 1,000 times. I’ve heard this claim throughout my career in general aviation. But is it true?
Maintenance For Thee, Not So Much For Me
Over time, as our weight creeps upward, our resting heart rate climbs, our vital numbers head in the wrong direction little by little, we are playing a dangerous game of chance. For many, our airplanes will outlast us. And there’s little wonder as to why that is. We lavish more care on the aircraft than we do ourselves.
For The Love Of A Cupholder
We used to just fly the airplane. Now, we want air-conditioning, glass panels, noise-cancelling headsets, and cupholders. All good things. All highly attractive to buyers. But they don’t make the airplane fly any better or the pilots any smarter.
The Negotiation Game
Owning an airplane is a dream for many pilots, but the asking price is often just a suggestion. Through honest negotiation, buyers and sellers can find a mutual win-win, turning the aspiration of flight into an affordable reality.
Anyone Can Talk To Anyone — And Probably Should
“Nobody can tell a PIC what to do at a non-towered airport,” is the common refrain from those who treasure their anti-authority stance. Many people believe this, too. Even though it is clearly untrue.
Modifications Galore
In aviation the modification fever hit hard. There are few airframes or powerplants that haven’t been tweaked in some way to fit an owner’s preference. From the largest to the smallest we’ve made changes to suit our interests. It would take a whole book to provide even a glimpse of the full spectrum of alterations we’ve made over the years. A series of books. And we’re not done yet.
It’s Not About The Shoes, Even When It’s About The Shoes
It’s the little things — the things we assume are no big deal — that can get you.