Pilots deal with emergencies differently than most non-pilots. We tend to take a more productive approach to non-emergencies as well.
Opinion
Ask Paul: What’s causing loss of propeller control?
Question for Paul McBride, the General Aviation News engines expert: I have been maintaining a 1953 T-34 (Beech A45) with a Continental O-470-13 engine installed (original) for the last couple of years. The ownership group has been reporting a loss of propeller control after about 20 to 30 minutes into their flight, however it was happening intermittently and now it is happening almost every flight.
They don’t want to be pilots
“People that want this are the same people who want self-driving cars,” wrote Brand Neumann. “They don’t want to be pilots, they just want to be passengers.”
A rose by any other name
It has been said that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. Some guy named Shakespeare wrote that a long time ago. It’s true, though. The information the FAA has to share is exceptional. I may never understand why it refers to it in such indecipherable terms a large portion of the audience they’re trying to reach simply disregards the recommendation and moves on, no better for the experience.
Ask Paul: What are these weird marks?
I recently bought a borescope and used it on my neighbor’s experimental Panther. I discovered these marks, which are really strange.
One question, many answers
Asking technical experts the same question about exhaust valve recession problems with unleaded fuel and you’ll get a variety of answers — and each person is convinced they are right.
Supersonic soda for cola Concorde
One of the battles in the “cola wars” involved painting a Concorde supersonic transport in Pepsi colors.
Hyperbole and hokum in the air
A well-managed traffic pattern can handle a dozen aircraft or more at one time without undue risk to safety or efficiency. Plug one ego-driven pilot into that scenario and things can get really exciting, really fast.
A proud passenger
It was an absolute joy to watch Brenna as pilot in command. From preflight to shutdown and securing of the aircraft — and everything in between — she was in command.