The FAA provides us with minimum standards for our aeronautical endeavors, which we would be wise to remember are literally minimum standards. These should not be the end point of our training and currency goals. The wise pilot seeks proficiency, not merely a willingness to fly.
Politics for Pilots
Playing in the key of A, B, C, D, E, and G
Flying is an awful lot like playing a musical instrument. In both cases, when you do it well, your heart just sings.
NORDO no more
I absolutely, without reservation, love the Piper Cub. I do not love NORDO aircraft, however. In fact, I will go so far as to say I believe flying without benefit of a radio is irresponsible, dangerous, and completely unnecessary.
Classic or contemporary: Which aircraft is best?
Go old, go inexpensive, go classic. It might be the best deal you’ll find all day.
The home field advantage disadvantage
The real glitch in an adventure-seeking flight is not the flight outbound, although any one of us could be excused for thinking that might be the case. No, it is the trip home that presents the larger challenge.
Getting out of our comfort zone
We aviation types tend to be bolder than the average man or woman on the street. For we have done something that most humans resist with great ferocity. Are we perfect? No. But we aviators are pretty darned cool.
Inspiration on the move
Can a high school class change the direction of a young person’s life? Yes! Jon’s journey illustrates that point well. Today he’s working toward his goal of being an aeronautical engineer, adding more flight time to his logbook, and mentoring those who come behind him.
Weight and balance for life
Changes have to be made in life. Our size and our acceptance of obesity as a normal consequence of life should be among those changes. We can do better. For ourselves and for the generations that come behind us. Because if they can’t get into the aircraft, they certainly won’t be able to succeed in their desire to fly it.
What about, No!
When we arrived at the tie-down I unbuckled, stepped out, and announced in no uncertain terms, “We’re done. I won’t fly with you again.”