Remarks

During the pandemic, we suffered increased lead times for things. Generally, these lengthy lead times were called “supply chain problems” or just “supply chain.” There were both obvious and not-so-obvious reasons. The most obvious reason was that many businesses were shuttered for weeks to even a year or more during the pandemic in an effort […]

Staying proficient, or getting there if you’re not proficient, has long been a challenge for the typical general-aviation pilot. Of course, a proficient pilot is much more likely to be a safe pilot than the pilot who’s rusty. We’ve long claimed that there’s a significant difference between legal currency and proficiency. That’s unchanged. If anything, […]

After over 20 years of ownership, it might be time for new engines in our Cessna 340.

Some might say it’s because of the security imposed on airline travel. Perhaps, but where’s the evidence that GA poses a threat?

Recently someone reached out to me to discuss Richard McSpadden’s accident. While I try not to be a Monday-morning quarterback, he asked general questions that are worth exploring. When flying more advanced equipment, starting with light twins, it’s common for the pilot flying to give a takeoff briefing. However, usually that’s simply regurgitating a standard […]

Eight years ago I retired from Part 121 flying. I currently have plenty of time in my logbook. At the airline I was flying over 500 hours a year and as a captain I had regular line checks and recurrent training events. I was at my peak skill as an instrument pilot, and with all […]

Unless you ignore general aviation news, you’ve probably already heard that all of the Belvoir Media Aviation titles—Aviation Consumer, Aviation Safety, AVweb, IFR, and KITPLANES—have been acquired by Flying Media Group (FMG). As you might expect, I have received inquiries from subscribers and authors alike asking what that means for the future of this publication. […]

After over 8000 hours of general-aviation and airline flying, the other day I declared an emergency for the first time outside of training. It wasn’t that serious, but it was real and could eventually have become life threatening. I’d just picked up my airplane from the avionics shop after three and a half months undergoing […]

Occasionally, a reader will complain that our Sim Challenges are too difficult. Really? That’s the point. Some pilots, a group that I reluctantly admit occasionally includes me, prefer to keep their exercises within their capabilities. Going well outside those capabilities is intimidating and, presumably, we don’t want to reveal our limitations, especially if we’re working […]

Uncommon is a magazine editor who doesn’t occasionally struggle to come up with a topic for the monthly editorial. For me, it’s become one of the most difficult parts of the job. So, there I was, sitting at my desk trying to put this issue to bed, but once again lacking an idea for this […]