The NTSB today released the first of four videos aimed at general aviation pilots, each centering on a particular source of problems encountered by GA pilots.
In the one released today, the NTSB suggests we get a little better at taking indications from the plane more seriously.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Friday, July 5, 2013
King of the GA hill? The experimental aviator
Great article by Ron Rapp worth passing along. The key section:
The overall message is clear. Want to fly? Build your magic carpet! No matter what size. Even an RC.
Go fly!
If the trend continues, the Van’s line alone will be producing more flying aircraft each year than all the other GA manufacturers combined. Think about that: general aviation, saved by an army of Davids.
The kits are getting faster and easier to build, there’s a large resale market, and the range of modifications and upgrades is too long to list. You can get a 200 mph fully aerobatic cross-country cruiser for $35,000. Already built, no less. Agile handling, sporty looking, yet extremely conventional in construction and material. So conventional, in fact, that it’s really a misnomer to refer to them as “experimental” at all.
The RV series may be what most people think of when they hear “home-built”, but there are designs out there from dozens of designers ranging from powered parachutes to composite turboprops and jets.
The overall message is clear. Want to fly? Build your magic carpet! No matter what size. Even an RC.
Go fly!
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Advanced engine leaning techniques
On July 3, 2013, Mike Busch of Savvy Aviator fame, held an EAA webinar on engine leaning techniques, following up several other leaning sessions which are still available on the EAA website.
These are my notes from his talk, the most significant portion of which (to me) was his assertion that Lycoming now recommends mag timing at 20 degrees top dead center, rather than the 25 degrees recommended on -- in my case -- the data plate on the engine and the owners guide. My engine was purchased in 2008. We might be hearing more on this. Perhaps not.
The biggest impact on the way I've been leaning my engine, however, is I am now implored to stop using exhaust gas temperature to determine the peak. I've been making a big mistake. See the notes at the link for more.
These are my notes from his talk, the most significant portion of which (to me) was his assertion that Lycoming now recommends mag timing at 20 degrees top dead center, rather than the 25 degrees recommended on -- in my case -- the data plate on the engine and the owners guide. My engine was purchased in 2008. We might be hearing more on this. Perhaps not.
The biggest impact on the way I've been leaning my engine, however, is I am now implored to stop using exhaust gas temperature to determine the peak. I've been making a big mistake. See the notes at the link for more.
Monday, July 1, 2013
The Lark of Duluth flies again
The Lark of Duluth is going to fly again. It was the first commercial airliner. The Federal Aviation Administration has given an airworthiness certificate to the floating biplane, culminating the work of a group of people who've been building it, the Duluth News Tribune reports. It will fly again on July 12th, its 100th anniversary.
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