A pilot owns an airplane. He isn't able to fly the plane very often, but when he does it's usually two hours out for a $100 hamburger, then two hours back. The airplane is always hangered; all inspections and maintenance are done by the book. How long could the airplane sit between flights...

As a newly-minted PP-ASEL, I want to continue to absorb knowledge and do all that I can to fly as safely as possible. What books and or videos would you recommend that a new pilot put on his or her short list? Thanks in advance, Jay Beckman Chandler, AZ

Some years back (ok, sixteen years back) I read about a study one of our armed forces did in which (I'll simplify) they rigged wires to a pilot's brain and then watched him make errors. They found that there was a flurry of unusual brain activity just before the error, which did not occur when the...

This is pretty hilarious. This John Deere lawnmower is surprisingly aerobatic! http://www.hugi.is/hahradi/bigboxes.php?box_id=51208&f_id=1159 -Aviv

The government routinely publishes a list of miles-per-gallon consumption ratings for all cars sold in the U.S. Does anyone know whether such a list exists for aviation? I'm looking for a list of fuel consumption ratings for: - private jets - commercial jets.

Many pilots I know seem to think that this new TSA rule is just the beginning of things to come. Look at the trend. Mayor Daley succeeded after a long battle, then the proposal by Mr. Weiner, and now this. People have been trying to get rid of general aviation for quite some time, and they are...

Since yesterday. KJOT - Joliet, IL (Metro Chicago) - Pilot killed. Jefferson, MO (I think) - Regional jet - Pilot and copilot killed. Mirimar, CA - Aerobatic aircraft (practicing for airshow) - Pilot killed. Does anyone have any more info on these?

BOXES, CANDLES AND YUGOS Some months ago, a southern California environmentalist sat in an oak tree for over two months in an attempt to save the tree. When served with an eviction notice, he chained himself to the tree. The end came when the chains were cut and he was removed from his perch....

Jay, We've never met, but we've exchanged messages here a few times. Anyway, I'm surprised nobody has mentioned this yet, but I just read the article in this month's AOPA mag about entrepreneurs that have successfully merged their flying life w/ working life. Right there on the first page of the...

Hi, Anyone have pireps on these products? The Micro got my attention, but I'm now also considering the VR and VRX. They don't give directions, and I believe the Micro and VR will warn you of aircraft thousands of feet above you, and I've heard that they can get overwhelmed in busy airspaces. ...

Hello! Permanent Resident pilot, in the US. I thought I was alone ... or at the very least there weren't that many of us .... Instead I saw in the latest posts that there's a whole bunch out there. Instructors that are Permanent Residents too!!

I had to jump start my plane (using the Piper External Power port) (yes, I stupidly ran down the juice when I thought a gas smell was coming from a flooded engine when it wasn't). I turned on just the battery half of the master while I did it, and the plane started ok. There was an annoying whine...

Anybody would have a digital copy of the circuit diagram of the AT50A Narco transponder you could send me via E-mail. On the installation sheet says it has 18 pins but I could only count seventeen anybody would know why the diference. Thanks, Victor

I'm considering flying from the Bay Area to Seattle WA next September (I'm not based out there) and was wondering what kind of flight conditions I could expect. I'd be in a piston single (probably an aging Cutlass). I am IFR capable, but flying in ice would be something I'd avoid. Jose

I was working out in the driveway this afternoon when I heard a plane circling. I looked up (of course) and saw a Cessna Caravan, complete with the belly luggage pod, doing aimless wanderings around at about 1,000'. I watched for a while and heard it for quite some time after it moved off. It was...

Can someone interpret FAR 65.83 (listed below) for me? I believe this is the FAR that I have a question about. If I remember correctly, in A&P school, we were told that we basically have to sign off something in a logbook every 24 months to keep current and "legal". Do I interpret correctly by...

Just a funny little story... I was landing a C172 the other day with the family aboard. We were on final with a pretty decent cross wind from the right. I dipped the right wing down a little, maintained track with opposite rudder, touched down right main first, etc... You know, just the...

Well, the FBO in Knoxville, Tennessee put in the new rules. One of the locals came in to start flight training. The clerk at the desk asked him "Got any ID?". The prospective student replied "'Bout whut?". George Patterson If a man gets into a fight 3,000 miles away from home, he *had* to...

Hi, After a 2 year break (the old family/kids/soccer games story) from flying, I'm ready to get my medical back and at least grab a couple of ours a month for awhile until the ownership bug bites me again. Can anyone suggest a reasonable (read:cheap) AME in the Westchester County/Hudson...

Hope I can say this without an eruption but, "interesting film" I was particularly fascinated by the way the ejection and parachute sequence resulted in the pilot hitting the downed aircraft, despite the apparent wind. Assuming the Harrier ejects straight up (I have no idea) it appears that a...