Recent content by William Pete Hodges

I currently have 2 navcoms and 2 GPS units. The 2 GPS units have different added functions but I went this way so my wife could use one GPS while I navigate using the other. I like having ground based options in case the GPS system becomes unavailable but I confess I don't use VOR that much...

Try looking up sporadic e propagation. A number of articles show up. A friend of mine in Virginia on the 2 meter band got a QSL card from the Dominican Republic. So transmissions can be received at quite a distance.

I was on a car trip one time with a CB radio. I answered a call for a smokey report and they asked for the mile marker. Mine was 102, theirs was 156. The normally 2-4 mile signal had traversed 54 miles! More than 10 times the normal range. That is the only time it happened to me, but it can...

Wow! I am glad my post stirred up some great comments! I was not thinking about the grip of the tires so much as the tendency for a gust of wind to lift a wing moving the airframe towards a rollover. I realize that is an extreme outcome, but not impossible in a strong gusty crosswind. The...

I understand your point but I still disagree. To me the most vulnerable time in a crosswind landing is when one or more wheels just makes contact with runway as flying speed is dissipating and aerodynamic control is diminishing, but the wings are still flying and the wheels have very light grip...

At your experience level you are mostly correct, but as you gain experience your understanding and ability will reduce risks and improve your comfort level. Certified airplanes are designed to handle crosswinds and have demonstrated crosswind performance posted somewhere in the cockpit of the...

I recently read a post where a person did just that. With pictures too, I think it was the thread about what fun thing did you buy or do for your airplane.

I consider short field landings and cross wind landings to be two different disciplines. When I train for short field, I train short field. If there is a good steady crosswind, like 8-12 mph and steady, then I train for crosswind. If I have done a few of them and are happy, then I work on...

I carry both a Swiss Army Super Tinker and a Leatherman Leap and a small flashlight in my pocket every day. The scissors on the Super Tinker are the best quick scissors I have ever used, and I use them all the time. The Leatherman scissors aren't anywhere near as good but I use the pliers and...

I am sorry to hear about this. RIP Mr. Rutan

How long ago did you replace it, how long did it take, and who did the work?

I am OK with replacing with new if necessary. I was hoping someone here had some experience with that.

My 1964 Mooney has a factory installed ARC Nav-o-matic 300 autopilot. It was working properly 5 years ago when I bought the plane, but only in warm weather. This unit has a dedicated gyro behind the baggage compartment for roll and yaw control and I figured the grease in those bearings had...

I was taught to turn base at about 700 feet with the numbers about 45 defrees behind you. Turn final to line up with the runway, that puts you at about 500 feet.

The last annual on my Mooney came in at $1850. The flat rate is $1350 plus parts. They had to add a front tire this time for almost $400. The last couple of annuals were more but only because I added upgrade work to the annual. I closed up the "guppy mouth" two annuals back, and I needed new...