Home : Plane & Pilot : January 2005

January 2005

Aircraft

1959 Beech K35 Bonanza
2005 Cessna Turbo Stationair
Aviation’s Top Websites by John D. Ruley In slightly more than a decade, the World Wide Web has gone from being a mere novelty to one of the most important tools available. Now, with a click of the mouse, pilots can access live weather, plan flights with previously unheard-of flexibilities, check fuel prices, find aircraft values, search databases, take virtual tours of museums and study volumes of hard-to-access aviation product information. In the proceeding pages, Plane & Pilot has assembled the best online sites for pilots who are searching for excellent resources on the Internet.
Cessna's All-New Stationair
Adding Garmin glass to the newest line of C-206s has reinvented the aircraft’s workhorse capabilities
by Douglas Colby Utility airplanes must answer to a different kind of owner. Unlike most personal-transportation machines that are dedicated to recreation or fun, utility models are most often working airplanes that must pay for themselves.
The Ultimate V-Tail
This Bonanza has the most famous silhouette in the sky
by Douglas Colby
Pilots don’t agree on much. We argue about virtually everything: Continental versus Lycoming; high wing versus low wing; fixed gear or retractable; the relative merits of turbocharging; and a hundred other things. While we rarely agree, there are a few universal truths: Airspeed is life; you can never have enough power; and the V-tail Bonanza is one of the most beautiful airplanes ever designed.

Pilot Talk

Fear Of Flying
Conquering it may just be a matter of control
by Budd Davisson Am I the only person in the aviation world who has ever gone through, and still goes through, periods of apprehension when it comes to flying? I can even go so far as to say that I’m maybe even a little afraid. In my case, I don’t mean ready-to-soil-myself scared. I mean, I’ll be chugging along at about 4,000 feet, and for the briefest of moments and for absolutely no reason, a little twinge of fear sneaks a quick jab to my confidence. Then, it’s gone.
So Many Types, So Little Time
In the world of flying, the range of experiences and the fun to be had are never-ending
by Bill Cox One of the perks of this job is the chance to fly a wide variety of airplanes. My hours and ratings aren’t anything special, but I’m happy that I’ve been allowed to fly a little of everything at one time or another.

Travel

Howard Hughes

Once again, a new wave of attention has focused the spotlight on one of America’s most brilliant and mysterious aviation figures

by R.S. Tripp

This past December 2004 marked the release of a new movie called The Aviator, which is directed by Martin Scorsese and based on the pre-1950s life of Howard Hughes. Although it’s an entertaining film, it probably raises more questions than answers for those interested in the reality of Howard Hughes’ life as an aviator.