People and Places
Article: Helping Haiti
It started with an e-mail sent to my partner, Brian Reiff. Bahamas Habitat was looking for pilots with high-performance singles or twins to fly earthquake relief supplies to rural Haiti.
Article: Safety’s Ideal World
In an ideal world, once the probable cause of an accident is identified, there never will be an accident like it again.
Article: Uphill/Downhill Landings
What are the best conditions for landing uphill/downwind or downhill/upwind? It may seem dangerous to land into the wind but downslope on a snowy runway; yet landing upslope with a tailwind seems equally precarious.
Article: From The Editor: Where GA Shines
Since the devastating 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti in January, general aviation pilots have been making an increasingly positive impact in the troubled country; in some regions, GA relief flights are the only way aid is getting through....
Article: Light Sport Chronicles: Befriending The Enemy
“Minute Man traffic, light-sport one three four X-ray entering downwind for runway three, Minute Man.” “Minute Man traff...
Article: Fear & Preparedness
As he sat in my office and we prepared to leave for the airport after three hours of ground school, he hesitated for a moment, locked eyes with me and said, “Look, I have to tell you something.”
Article: To Korea, With Luck
My buddy Jeff Kopps of the National Weather Service in Monterey, Calif., had predicted headwinds out of Santa Barbara, and as usual, he was right. ...
Article: Profiles In Vision: Larry Burke
Ever had a neighbor who watered your roses if you forgot to? Or loaned you his tools, though you didn’t know him very well?
Article: Flying Into Isla Grande
Growing up in Puerto Rico in the 1950s, I lived at the top of the Hotel Columbus.
Article: Getting Ready For NextGen
Recently, NTSB Chairman Deborah A. P. Hersman issued a warning that those in the government and aviation industry who are enamored of the planned Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) should get their heads out of the clouds and realize...
Article: From Tailwheel To Turbine
Bill Stewart, until recently a lapsed pilot, sounds like something between a fighter jock and a kid in a candy store as he recounts his latest aerial exploits on the ramp at Chicago’s Aurora Municipal Airport (ARR).
Article: From The Editor: It’s Never Too Late
It was typical hangar chatter during a holiday party at the MotoArt facility at Torrance Airport.
Article: The Science, The Art, The Realities
Anyone who has flown for more than 10 minutes has developed an idea of what defines the perfect airplane.
Article: When Slower Is Better
Contrary to sometimes misinformed opinion, a Mooney is one of the easier airplanes to land. Contrary...
Article: The Common Thread
You may not think that “learning to fly” and “mountain flying” fit well in the same sentence, but I urge you to reconsider.
Article: Upgrade Your Plane! Part III
When purchasing an aircraft, the selection criteria usually relate to mission capabilities such as seating capacity, speed, range, weather capabilities, etc. Consequently, the first engine-related decision that most aircraft owners make comes at TBO...
Article: Light-Sport Chronicles: School Daze
Recently, I fired up the Skype to glean some insight into LSA flight training in America. Recently, I fired up the Skype to glean some insight...
Article: Danny’s Dream
Why would any kid want to do that?” That was the social worker’s response to my offer to take any child flying for free—that is, any child who was a patient at the local cancer center for children.
Article: Upgrade Your Plane! Part II
While having a modern, state-of-the-art panel may be a dream, this is no dream article. Given today’s economy, we’re taking a practical look at the best real-world solutions for getting maximum functionality without having to sell a kidney for fin...
Article: Muffler Inspection
If you were to make a list of the most fun and glamorous aspects of flying, I’d bet that inspecting an aircraft’s muffler wouldn’t be on it. ...
Article: Be A Great Pilot!
The sheer enormity of the subject is a little intimidating. You probably could name several thousand characteristics of a “good pilot.” The she...
Article: The Grandfather They Only Thought They Knew
A few minutes ago, I finished reading an official document in which a gentleman I knew, a lawyer, had put himself up for questioning by another lawyer.
Article: Speed Is Life
As a former SR-71 pilot, and a professional keynote speaker, the question I’m most often asked is “How fast would that SR-71 fly?” I can be assured of hearing that question several times at any event I attend.
Article: Caravan To Seoul—The Prequel
If you saw Jurassic Park, then you may remember the scene where Jeff Goldblum describes chaos theory as a mathematical discipline where the results of any given problem are never totally predictable, no matter how carefully conditions are...
Article: Kings Of The Sky
"So what are they like in person?” is the first question my pilot friends ask when I tell them I’ve spent a day with John and Martha King, the well-known founders of King Schools.
Article: LSA Ownership—Condo Style!
I love this concept of sharing ownership in an aircraft, new or used. Last month, I delved into David Kruger’s Aircraft Partnership Association (www.theapa.com), a type of online matchmaking service t...
Article: Air Capital Tanker Chase
As a flight test engineer for the Boeing Company assigned to Wichita, Kans. (“the Air Capital”), I’m among the fortunate people who truly love their work. ...
Article: Sweet Dreams
If the NTSB had its way, the FAA would be gauging whether or not you’re having sweet dreams and sleeping through the night cuddled up with your teddy bear. ...
Article: Upgrade Your Plane! Part I
From time to time, Plane & Pilot embarks on a proverbial aircraft-upgrade project and chronicles the progress for the enjoyment and edification of readers.
Article: The Checkride Chronicles
Who’s the judge beside you in the cockpit, deciding whether you’re worthy of receiving aviation’s highest honor (a license to learn)? Hopefully, it’s someone who’ll make your entry into the world of aviation less than turbulent.
