Recent content by Dana

Horses have been used to launch gliders, in the same manner as an auto or winch launch.

Not a disease (though the FAA might disagree), but medical marijuana use?

Got into DFW last night, had a car reserved from Thrifty (booked through Priceline). Thrifty counter was closed, sign said "go to the Dollar counter.". At Dollar, was told, "we have no cars and won't for at least two hours, if then.". Grrrr. Of course other agencies are 4X the price. Called...

Not quite, but close... :D

A sufficiently strong EMP might well induce enough current to fry the coils in a magneto. However, if that happens I suspect a forced landing will be the least of my worries.

I fly a biplane... rest assured, my patterns are tight. :)

99% of applicants may get a medical, but that doesn't include those who use basicmed because they know they won't pass a class 3.

Hollow

I make my airspeed and glide by constantly adjusting the amount of slip, throttle was closed abeam the numbers on downwind. I rarely adjust the trim. I set it for cruise and then the slight varying back pressure required at lower speeds is a constant feedback on what the wing is doing. Of...

Not necessarily that, but some trailer pilots like to land parallel to the centerline, but on the downwind side, so that if a crosswind gust makes the plane weathervane into the wind, it leaves more room to recover before rolling off the runway. In a faster plane, no, but in a slower plane...

Also, the "Trent Palmer" rule: Sec. 809. ENSURING SAFE LANDINGS DURING OFF-AIRPORT OPERATIONS. The Administrator shall not apply section 91.119 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, in any manner that requires a pilot to continue a landing that is unsafe. And Sec. 810. Development of...

I have done this more than a few times, for just that reason. Then, of course, the wind dies down a half hour later... :confused:

At airports, like at a fly-in, I use a tent for some privacy, but when I'm in the wilderness (especially in bear country!) I feel much safer sleeping with no tent (or flimsy aircraft) around me to limit my vision or options. And sleeping outside the plane means I can get that all important...

It depends on many things: the aircraft, pilot skill, wind direction, gust spread, airport layout. When I was flying ultralights anything over 10 knots made me think and over 15 was probably a no-go. With a heavier faster plane 10-15 is a yawn. Generally the higher the stall speed, the more...

To the pilot: "YOU'RE FIRED!"