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 a frustrating and expensive experience with persistent engine issues on his Cessna 180, which multiple mechanics struggled to diagnose and fix.
- Seeking a distraction from being grounded, the author delves into the rich culture of pilots giving airplanes and aviation terms creative, humorous, and often critical nicknames.
- The article provides extensive examples of these nicknames across various aircraft types, including general aviation planes, business jets, military aircraft, and commercial airliners.
- It also touches on the phenomenon of pilots coining names for mythical airlines and even aviation-themed names for children.
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