Sunday Sortie Due to my annual inspection and vacation, post-Oshkosh flying has been minimal at best. My usual ritual of once-a-week sorties all but dried up. Looking to correct this issue, and with perfect fall flying weather at my disposal, I got organized and set aside firm plans to fly Sunday (Sept 30th). A quick…
The Fokker Triplane: My Secret Obsession Ok I have a confession. I’m in love with another airplane besides my darling RV-8 and I’m not entirely sure what to do about it. It started innocently and impulsively. I was strolling through Kitplanes and came across a company selling plans for a full scale Fokker Triplane….thus my obsession began….
Preflight Inspections: It’s What You Don’t See That Can Hurt You Doing an adequate preflight inspection is one of the tenants to good airmanship. We pride ourselves on knowing every nut, bolt, and screw on our airplanes, but how well do we really do with our preflights? Let’s examine some of nuances and even some…
EAA Eagle Flights Diane Thornton climbed into the cockpit of a T-6 Texan military trainer Tuesday morning and soon was the first adult recipient of an EAA Eagle Flight. Her pilot, EAA president/CEO Rod Hightower, taxied them off in his warbird for a short flight over the Oshkosh area, and when they taxied back onto…
Automotive Powerplant Conversions: Caveat Emptor Editorial I offer my opinion and experience on the subject of using high performance water-cooled automobile engines in your homebuilt airplane. Although I am not a mechanic, I have flown behind several professionally built and maintained auto conversions. In fact one of those car engines put me into a field…
Piper Cub By Stephen Pope / Published: Jul 25, 2012 (editor: Check out this video to get the essence of how pure flying can be in a Cub!) Simplicity and durability are defining characteristics of so many of the classic American products we love best: The Harley-Davidson Flathead. A well-worn pair of Levi’s…
My Own Private Oshkosh: Airventure 2012 Airventure Oshkosh is an event no self respecting aviator should miss. It has something for everyone and barring bad weather, there is no better aviation venue. The only complaint is you can’t see it all! This Oshkosh was going to be special for me; I was flying in with…
Cool video from the 2012 Reno Championship Air Races. -Brent
Cessna 182 JT-A By Robert Goyer / Published: Sep 24, 2012 Cessna 182 JT-A Over the years I’ve flown around a dozen varieties of the Cessna 182, from the latest glass-panel turbo models to impeccably restored early birds, but I’d never experienced anything like this. As I advanced the single black lever in Cessna’s new 182…