Pilot Proficiency

I have before me a bound volume containing a year’s worth of Flying, a gift from an old friend and collaborator, pilot and photographer Baron Wolman, who picked it up at a swap meet for $4. The year, 1916, will surprise anyone who knows that our esteemed publication first appeared, under the name of Popular […]

Learning how to land in a crosswind is one of those skills that’s hard to teach on a schedule, since you never know when the sideways winds will blow. With Redbird Flight Simulation‘s XWind ($27,900) and XWind SE ($29,900) crosswind trainers, however, instructors can schedule crosswind training to fit the student’s schedule. The two trainers […]

In our FBO Spotlight series, we’re highlighting FBOs around the country that have received rave reviews from our readers. This latest Spotlight is brought to you by Jared Heiner, who recently visited Kemp Jet Services at Ogden-Hinckley Airport in a Cessna Cardinal 177RG. Here’s what he has to say about the experience. Kemp Jet Services […]

Air race lovers can now get an up close and personal look at the Reno Air Races in Air Racers 3D, which premieres today in select IMAX theatres. The movie is sprinkled with historical footage, providing background information on the history of air racing and some of the airplanes that participate in the Unlimited race […]

It takes years to build a successful brand, but only a few bad decisions, or in some cases a run of bad luck, to ruin one. That’s what makes the planned revitalization of the storied Bendix/King brand name so intriguing. For the past 15 years, Bendix/King has more or less been a victim of neglect […]

The value of regular crosswind takeoff and landing practice becomes evident when you get caught with no choices. I learned this lesson on a flight in my Cessna 170 to the Baja California peninsula a few years back. On my way to Laguna San Ignacio, Mexico, to watch whales, I had planned to stop in […]

Flying is a skill that requires knowledge in a wide range of subjects. And to stay proficient, you need to continuously study and experience these topics. One way our government giant, the FAA, is attempting to keep you out of trouble and keep your knowledge up to date is through its FAA Safety Team, or […]

The scene of the Martin Family relaxing Wednesday morning next tor their just-restored 1946 Fairchild, is captivating for more than one reason. A young family camping at Sun ‘n Fun next to an antique airplane they flew nine hours from Pennsylvania to be at this year’s fly-in speaks volumes in that it is exactly what […]

Sun ‘n Fun in Lakeland, Florida, marks the start of a very special journey for the airplane that spawned a homebuilding revolution. A group called Friends of the RV-1 has finished restoring Richard VanGrunsven’s original RV-1 – the progenitor of the entire Van’s Aircraft line from the RV-3 through the RV-12 – and now plans […]

Sun ‘n Fun 2012 is in full swing, with blue skies, spectacular aircraft and great performers attracting aviation enthusiasts from throughout the country. Here’s a look, provided by photographer Jim Koepnick, at the crowd pleasers at this year’s show: View the photo gallery here. Check out our full coverage of the show here.