Aircraft Upgrades Create Flying Lab for Fun, Performance Gains

Testing and evaluating the effect of altering the aviation experience can become a hobby of its own.

Jason McDowell

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 09:54 AM ET

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Edited By:

Kimberly Johnson

Not every aircraft modification or accessory must be rooted in logic or common sense. Sometimes, justification lies in the fun of evaluating and enjoying something that alters the flying experience. [Credit: Jason McDowell]

Key Takeaways:

The author enjoys upgrading equipment in various hobbies, including espresso and airplane ownership, driven by curiosity and the experimental process rather than strict practical necessity.
Many airplane modifications, such as bushwheels or a Garmin panel, offer intangible benefits like increased comfort, peace of mind, and enhanced enjoyment beyond their documented performance advantages.
He views his airplane as a "flying laboratory," where each upgrade is an individual experiment to assess its impact on both the aircraft's capabilities and his overall flying experience.
This continuous process of evaluating and experimenting with modifications has become a fulfilling hobby in itself, despite the significant costs involved compared to other pursuits.

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Recently, I’ve reignited an old hobby that’s been dormant for years—coffee. Specifically, espresso.

First, I dusted off my old La Pavoni Europiccola lever machine and reminded myself how much I used to enjoy the art and science of extracting the perfect shot. Within weeks, I upgraded to an ECM Puristika and continued on my merry way of pursuing quickly diminishing returns via an ever-expanding assortment of cool gadgetry.