I am a new owner of a '79 Mooney that has a Garmin GNS 430 GPS installed. I am needing to get a link or directions to the Jeppesen site that tells about how you can get the database updates. I have done some Googleing and am not having any luck. Thanks in advance!! Jon Kraus PP-ASEL-IA Student...

Anybody flew down to Barbados from US with small plane? What can you expect? Do they have two airports?

Merry non-denominational Holidays to y'all out there. Things seem a little quiet here so here's my year-end wrap-up. Jeppesen plates are better because they'll get you in to a lot of airports when goverment plates won't work. It's because the minimums on Jepp plates are lower, because they're only...

We've had a (not uncommon) problem with one of our tip-tank quick drains leaking. If you don't get it to snap shut, properly, it will set up a regular drip-drip-drip that, over time, will cost a fair amount of gas. (And yes, I know how to clean and replace the O-ring that's probably got a tiny...

In my sleepy-eyed condition this morning, I accidentally deleted a post that quoted some numbers from the White House Office of Consumer Affairs (or some such) regarding the effect of an unhappy customer - how many people he told, etc. Would somebody kindly repost that item?

Hi folks, I've always seen spoilers and flaps being deployed fully upon landing. While the reason for spoilers is straightforward, I haven't yet figured why flaps are deployed too. Isn't the landing roll the time when you'd be wanting all the load of the craft to be on the main wheels, which is...

I need to get a push to talk switch for the Cessna's I rent now. I have noticed that they are very expensive for what they are (a switch). Is it legal to build my own from Radio Shack type parts? If so, does someone have the specs? Tyson

Is it FAR 103 that regulates motorized paraglyders and such? I'm wondering what altitude restrictions they have over congested areas and people.

Here is a nice write-up on the happenings in Vegas on New Years Eve. Wish I could be there. http://washingtontimes.com/travel/20041223-084620-5702r.htm Marty

It's really blowing at PWM tonight. I just got the call that the big twin on the next tiedown jumped its chocks and blew into our plane. No damage report yet. We went out today, lashed the cover down and put on an extra tail rope. I just realized we were checking the wrong airplanes. -- Roger...

Just curious as to how many of us are in the "Flunked a Checkride" club. It seems that the fail rate for the IFR checkride is more prevalent than the Private. So swallow that false pride and speak up. I'll be first. I flunked my IFR checkride by busting on holding pattern entry. Anyone else? ...

Merry Christmas And May BIN LADEN Take Out The East Coast on Christmas Day With A Dirty Bomb. Merry Christmas, SantaClaus

I'm familiar with de-icing on fixed wing aircraft, but how common is it on helicopters and how does it work? For instance the Coast Guard flies the Jayhawk and Dauphin and I'm sure these must be certified for flight into known icing conditions. Thanks, Pete

http://www.wokr13.tv/entertainment/story.aspx?content_id=A4E8D35C-E98C-44 49-B718-22EEF76AE40A "Movie star Morgan Freeman's flying dreams have been dealt a severe blow - he has been grounded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for breaking altitude rules."

According to AOPA, many of the TFRs have been downgraded to NSAs with the release of the latest round of charts. This includes all the hated Puget Sound TFRs. NSAs are depicted on charts and pilots are advised to avoid them, but they are not prohibited unless the FAA issues a special notice during...

.....have an option for a constant speed prop prior to 1975?

Went into work yesterday and found in the showroom a brand new Cessna T206 with the G1000 package. Wow. The new owner is said to be very excited. I wonder if he will let me have a few minutes with it? -- Christopher J. Campbell World Famous Flight Instructor Port Orchard, WA

I know that a car's engine needs to be mated to the transmission for propulsion. This I know isn't the case with an aircraft with a jet engine; if the engine is turned on without the brakes applied, the jet of air leaving the engine will hurl the craft forward. My doubt is, why does this forward...

I have been advised that some people when using a sectional always hold it with North up even when they are flying South rather than orienting it along their flight path. This is an option on moving map GPS systems. Do you a) keep North up or b) orient the map in the direction in which you are...

ANDY FOR PREZ Andy Rooney on "60 Minutes" a few weeks back: I don't think being a minority makes you a victim of anything except numbers. The only things I can think of that are truly discriminatory are things like the United Negro College Fund, Jet Magazine, Black Entertainment Television, and...