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 author details persistent and costly engine troubles with his Cessna 180 that multiple mechanics struggled to resolve, leaving him grounded and frustrated.
- During this downtime, he explored the internet and uncovered the extensive tradition of pilots giving humorous and often critical nicknames to aircraft and aviation terms.
- The article presents a wide array of these unofficial names for various aircraft, including general aviation planes (e.g., "Doctor Killers," "Spin Masters"), business jets ("Fear-jet," "San Antonio Sewer Pipe"), and commercial airliners (e.g., Boeing 737 as "Tin Mouse," Airbus A320 as "Sully's Ark").
- This rich subculture extends beyond aircraft to include names for mythical airlines and even aviation-themed baby names, reflecting the deep engagement of the pilot community.
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