Pilot Proficiency

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 Jim Monsu, who recently flew into Guymon Municipal Airport in a Zenith Zodiac CH601XL-B. Here’s what he has to say about the airport’s FBO, Centerline Aviation. __Centerline Aviation […]

If you ever wonder where you should fly next, there’s a new app available for the iPad, iPhone and Android devices that can help. SocialFlight is a free tool developed by Where2 Interactive that displays upcoming air shows, pancake breakfasts, aviation seminars, conventions and other aviation related events. You can view lists of events or […]

Last week’s AirVenture air show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was a big treat. As I’ve come to expect after years of attending, the show was filled with new exciting aviation products and every imaginable airplane type. And there was plenty of opportunity to learn new things at the forums and seminars. As I’ve also come to […]

Test pilot and speed freak Chip Yates, already a record-holder for the world’s fastest electric motorcycle, broke another one last week in his all-electric airplane. In only its second flight, his Flight of the Century Long-EZ took to the skies over Inyokern Airport in California and reached a top speed of 202 MPH. The 16-minute […]

In the wake of our publication of the Top 100 Airplanes of all time, a number of Flying readers have shared their thoughts on which aircraft top their best-of-all-time list. Take a look at the overall most popular Top 10 aircraft reader picks, and check out some of the interesting lists we recently received below. […]

Despite overall good weather, attendance at this year’s EAA AirVenture fly-in was down from last year, with EAA reporting a drop of approximately 40,000 tickets from the 2011 show, the steep decline due no doubt in part to the continuing economic downturn. Despite attendance being off, the mood of those who did make it to […]

There was an unusual visitor at AirVenture this year, a roadable aircraft manufactured by PlaneDriven. The PD2 takes a Glasair Sportsman amateur built airplane and adds a separate 50-hp “drive unit” to the rear of the craft to provide ground power. To put the vehicle into drive mode, the pilot folds the wings, starts the […]

One of the most embarrassing things that can happen to a pilot is the case where he starts his airplane’s engine, advances the throttle and goes nowhere – because he forgot to undo the tiedown at the tail. It has happened to plenty of pilots, even those who have performed meticulous preflight inspections and yet […]

It’s really weird how certain memories stick like fish in a hot iron skillet. So it is with a memory from my past, early in my flying career. “Miserable” is the only description that fits for that Gulf Coast summer morning in July 1985. Don’t get me wrong: The sun was shining brightly, but the […]

As you’re already aware, earning an instrument rating is a fun and rewarding experience that will provide you with added confidence and make your pilot’s license more powerful. But instrument flying is also unforgiving and requires more than just passing an FAA check ride — it requires a system of continuing education and proficiency. First, […]