Pia Bergqvist

Kestrel Aircraft Company has branched out into the aircraft modifications business with a new division called Kestrel Aeroworks. Kestrel Aircraft Chairman and CEO Alan Klapmeier said the purpose of Kestrel Aeroworks is to “take existing aircraft and make them into more modern, more comfortable, more pilot-friendly aircraft.” Kestrel Aeroworks is focusing its efforts on the […]

After more than 20 years as a professional airshow pilot, Greg Poe died unexpectedly from an apparent heart attack, according to his official website www.gregpoe.com. Poe was 57 years old and was to fly in more than 20 shows scheduled this year – one in El Salvador and the remainder around the United States. Poe […]

At what point should an autopilot be introduced into flight training? Martha King has helped make aviation knowledge more accessible to pilots worldwide by combining elegant technology with clear, fun teaching. Martha holds every category and class of FAA rating on her pilot certificate, and every flight and ground instructor certificate. Her company, King Schools, […]

Having a clean windshield is not a matter of being a clean freak. A dirty or scratched up windshield can be a potential flight hazard, as it can significantly reduce forward visibility, particularly at certain sun angles. Knowing how to clean a windshield so you get the dust and grime off is important, and it […]

(July 2011) I’ve met far too many people who dream about learning to fly, but don’t act out on their desire to be at the controls of an airplane. One of the greatest deterrents to flying is cost. And realistically, learning to fly can be expensive. But there are several ways to reduce that cost. […]

Cessna 182 owners may now be able to get a smoother, quieter ride by converting to a newly STC’d Top Prop propeller kit from Hartzell. The company claims this new three-bladed, scimitar-shaped propeller improves takeoff and climb performance without degrading cruise speed, reduces noise by 2.5 dB(a) compared to the stock propeller, and increases the […]

VoiceFlight has received an STC for its VFS101 voice-recognition system for Garmin’s GNS 430W and 530W GPS/navcoms. The VFS101 enables the pilot to verbally enter flight-plan waypoints using the phonetic alphabet, which takes a fraction of the time of twisting the knobs on the 430W and 530W units. In addition to loading a flight plan, […]

For pilots, altitude is like friends. The more you have, the happier you should be. More altitude equals more options if you’re faced with a forced landing. You’ll also be able to see your destination easier as you approach an unfamiliar area. But too much of a good thing can also become an issue. There […]

An all-electric, twin-motor French airplane known as the MC15E Cri Cri piloted by Hugues Duval recently reached 153 knots, breaking its own speed record for electrically powered airplanes by about 10 knots. While several power plants have been tested on the Cri Cri, the record setting airplane was powered by a pair of 35-horsepower Electravia […]

Last week, I was fortunate enough to spend some time in Alaska to get my seaplane rating at Alaska Floats & Skis just outside Talkeetna. I was staying at a beautiful lodge that the flight school has available for its trainees. While I was there, a few groups of flying enthusiasts came and went – […]