With OSH 2005 fast approaching, the blood is quickening, and there's a new spring in my step. The Big One is almost here! However, as we do every year, we're starting to look at Atlas -- our 1974 Pathfinder -- with a jaundiced eye, looking for deficiencies that need filling, either in his...

Am I allowed to fly my plane to a near by airport in order to complete the aircraft annual even if it is a few days after annual due date? In other words annual was done on 4/29/07 and now we are into May. What do I need to do to get permission and how long can this extension be. Would this be...

Well, yesterday I paid for my third of my airplane Congrats, Wayne. Welcome to the world of the joyously impoverished! :) -- Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA Pathfinder N56993 www.AlexisParkInn.com

After reading the other posts about key locks, the responses brought another question to mind. My key ignition switch works very hard, and the key can be removed in any position. It's hard to push it in and keep the starter engaged (it's one of those turn-while-you-push switches), so we usually...

Been scanning airplane ads for a while and just recently started looking some of them up using AOPA's Vref service for members. According to that, most of the airplanes I see advertised are way overpriced, some by significant margins. Are the AOPA Vref prices too low? Or do people have...

Nothing cleans fiberglass better than Castrol's Super Clean. I've been using it for some time on oil and exhaust stains, and it works great. Last week I used it to clean the bugs off the cowling, for the first time. I had been on the road with the plane for a few days, and had not stuck with my...

One of the members of my club has proposed that we add TKS de-ice to our two 182s. Apparently, such a system is to become available later this year. My reaction at first was negative. After all, in our near-NYC location, the utility of such a tool is limited to a few months a year. Surely we...

We're looking at adding satellite radio service to Atlas. (It's his reward for winning the trophy for "Best Cherokee 235" at the National Cherokee fly-in last weekend!) According to PS Engineering, there is an audio-in channel that can be used in our existing CD/intercom. We would be looking to...

I am looking into purchasing my own plane... I think that I am pretty aware of the costs (as much as a non-owner can be). I would like to hear from those of you who have unfortunately have had a bad (expensive or otherwise)experience with a plane purchase. I will also post for good experiences. ...

Can an owner do this? TIA, {|;-) Victor J. (Jim) Osborne, Jr.

If I buy a 152 getting the autogas STC appeals to me a lot for the obvious reason (economy). What I'm wondering about is exactly how the pilots that are running autogas are getting it to the airport. I can't imagine the typical answer is much different than "carting it there in cans" but even a...

It would be interesting if other people would post what their annuals have been like. I'll start. I own a Cessna 150, which I have had for several years. This year my annual .. It seems some Cessna 150 owners have been finding cracks in the vertical tail attach bracket. It's a piece of metal...

Our constant speed prop is getting long in the tooth. It was last overhauled in 1991, when it received new blades. My A&P says there is no reason to O/H or replace a prop so long as it meets specs and doesn't leak. Since we fly a couple of times per week, internal corrosion shouldn't be an...

******************** The Good: ******************** Yesterday we had our 496 "panel docked" with the installation of an "AirGizmo". (See them he http://www.airgizmos.com/) It's just about he slickest installation you can imagine, and really cleans up the cockpit. All the wiring is neatly...

I've got AC 43.13-1B, which describes the procedure to swing a compass. What I can't find is the bureaucratic stuff -- who can do it (any pilot?), and what paperwork follow-up is required (airframe logbook entry, or is just making the new compass card sufficient?).

I live in northern lower Michigan where we have real winters some years (not this one yet). My partner and I own a 2000 Cessna 182. We are currently debating the proper use of the Tanis engine heater. It has been our practice in the past to plug the heater in after a flight and leave it plugged...

I own a 1960 Cessna 172 with 2500 hours on the airframe. It is not rated for aerobatic flight, but the positive and negative G loads that it is approved for far exceed the normal G forces associated with a well-executed barrel roll. Has anyone heard of this maneuver being performed in a 1960 172?

Still getting to know my new baby (1990 TB-20, normally aspirated 250hp Lycoming IO-540). I imagine my question here must apply to most non-turbo, non-FADEC pistons (though I gather there's some sort of altitude compensator on some airplanes' engines?). I live in Colorado, which means routine...

The foolish buyer trick I've seen more often than others is the "It comes with a fresh annual, I don't need a pre-purchase inspection." approach to airplane buying. Aargh. We had an estate auction in this area recently where 4 vintage aircraft were sold. Unfortunately (for the buyers), the...

I just read the AOPA ePilot Flight Training Edition -- Vol. 4, Issue 4 from January and under Training Tips and they reference "The Tiedowns that Bind" from the October 2000 AOPA Flight Training. See: http://www.aopa.org/members/ftmag/article.cfm?article=3811 The author says "It's important to...