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@R.L Mauzy large cylinder bore, low rpm, high compression and supercharging all drive a need for higher octane, in conjunction with the required full power ignition advance and mixture setting. Those four factors also decrease the weight and/or complexity of an aircraft engine for a given power...

A 1971 Porsche 911 was about $7500 new. A 1971 Cessna Skyhawk was about $15K. My plane is a German designed and manufactured two seat 150 HP sport plane built in 1971, roughly comparable to a 2.2 liter 911 of that period in its appeal and it also cost twice as much new, or about $15K. So yes...

One of the reasons I got back into flying and plane ownership 20 years ago was that buying and owning cars of the same age, quality and interest was a lot more expensive than a comparable plane. My first plane was $23K (a show winning polished Luscombe). The trend has only accelerated and...

The ailerons are also heavy and FWIW heavy controls and stability are two different things. Mooney added a full time wing leveler for a period, to reduce the effort of picking up a wing in rough air. This came at the expense of having to push a button on the yoke to turn and was eventually...

I’d look at Comanches, just my opinion based on what follows. Bonanzas have 1940s style ergonomics, you reach down to your right calf to adjust the throttle etc and if you’re tall you might need to roll your head 30 degrees right to clear the roof. They fly nicely but depending on how you’re...

I don’t fly over 10K feet and couldn’t care less about it myself. I’d guess the market for certified 150 HP engines feels the same way, given that certified planes at that power level are generally trainers like the C172 and Warrior. That is especially the case for 150 HP certified aircraft...

I love the word “superior” in this context, it fits right in with Rotax saying it is “perfectly developed”…. all reads like typical Euro nonsense to me, as a European myself. The manufacturer will doubtless continue telling you that as you’re paying to fix whatever development issue has reared...

There is zero chance that I'd be interested in trading my current O-320 for a turbocharged, liquid cooled, geared engine that makes the same power with a non-field serviceable pressed-up roller bearing crankshaft and engine control software that ties me indefinitely to the manufacturer. Also...

The whims of fashion, acting on the addicted... My Mini 3 still actually still works fine on FF for my purposes, despite it being 'obsolete' to both Apple and FF. The reason I replaced it now was battery life. I buy one generation behind at purchase and continue though a couple of model...

Thanks, it seems at this time of the year there are a lot of 'big events'. I think I'd just go elsewhere, that's obviously their intent. Next it'll be slots!

I just bought a 'refurbished' (used) Mini 5 with 256 gb memory and cellular - to get internal GPS backup. About $400. I'd rather preserve charging charging connector commonality with my other devices in the cockpit, want to keep my existing fan cooled mount and for a given amount of money...

I think the tower might fail to recognize that some aircraft aren't Global Express sized and might have controllability issues with a strong tailwind, as well as performance issues. Its not just a performance issue taking off in e.g. a Luscombe with a substantial tail wind. That's why you have...

I’m guessing an uninsured A&P IA (of which I know several) does OK negotiating with customers threatening lawsuits when he explains that he is single, doesn’t own a house in the US and holds citizenship overseas. I know at least one like that and he’s very busy, but I guarantee you he and his...

Other than climb rate and/or payload, the best way to utilize the extra power of an oversized naturally aspirated engine is to fly at high altitude, where the bigger engine can still make enough power in thin, low drag air while not burning so much extra fuel. That was BTW why the Comanche 400...

The engine automatically adjusts fuel delivery to account for the change in air intake as throttle position or RPM is changed. That’s the basic function of a carburetor, for example. However, aircraft engines generally have fixed ignition timing, which means that if the engine is slowed there...

Happily for the people I’ve known do this, they are in the aircraft engineering and manufacturing business. So any flying in the plane is R&D, and the flying itself is business. Thanks for the clarification. I’ve parked in the same spot at Hemet, if I see you there again I’ll say hello.

50% of the hours logged out of state, or 50% logged on trips that terminate out of state? Because I've heard Lake Havasu AZ (a few steps from the California border) is a popular destination for this purpose.

Having done a lot of this sort of thing 3 hrs seems adequate to me, bordering on generous. Familiarity may however breed contempt and therefore YMMV. I’m happy that there is now a non-stop flight home from my usual overseas destination, no more rechecking bags etc.

He seemed a hopeless snob to me, missing the point of why the majority are involved in aviation in favor of his own very expensive and somewhat boring world view. I stopped buying Flying after reading some of his views, as it seemed to be focused on an ‘aspirational’ reader, most of whom would...

As mentioned, you can tie down the tail to lift the nose wheel, so no jacking required. I have two Hiltis installed in my hangar floor to allow it with only a tie down strap. The main issue other than the nose wheel hydraulics or electric motor, screw jack etc is the controls: limit switches...