On a cold night in early spring, I took off from Lunken Airport in 72B, my beloved (I think) Cessna 180. I came back to climb power at 500 feet agl and the engine began running rough, missing and losing power — which sort of caught my attention. So, I pulled on the carburetor heat and, since the engine was making power, turned back toward the airport. But then it smoothed out, which was odd because I’d checked the heat just before takeoff; the air was very dry, and this airplane rarely gets carb ice, even in “juicy” conditions. But from then on, it happened on every flight, regardless of temperature and weather, always “fixable” by applying carb heat. The EGT in the number 2 cylinder was running a lot higher than the others, and I was pretty sure it was a manifold leak and the mixture was running too lean.
Unusual Attitudes: Nicknames, Deserved or Not!
Key Takeaways:
- The article begins with the author's frustrating and costly experience troubleshooting a persistent engine problem on his Cessna 180, leading to extensive repairs.
- While grounded, the author discovered a widespread and often humorous tradition among pilots of giving unique nicknames to various types of aircraft.
- The piece details numerous examples of these nicknames, spanning general aviation, business jets, military aircraft, and commercial airliners, often reflecting their characteristics, performance, or perceived flaws, and even touches on aviation-themed baby names.
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