Search results

Be a Baller and Tip! If I get service and attitude beyond the perfunctory I often tip. A tip at the right time to the right person can save you money but that’s not the point. It will definitely result in more service and good will the next time that person sees you. It’s nice to noticed...

The sense that aircraft instruments, panels, cockpits and flying itself seems complicated and overwhelming to non-pilots is sort of what’s cool about the whole thing. Welcome to pilot’s club! On the other hand you’ll hear some grizzled ol’ DC3 gal tell you that key to learning to operating...

Reading all this I feel like I just watched enough golf videos to will screw up an otherwise serviceable swing on the next round. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

After getting the occasional greaser in years of flying Cessnas, I found the 201 Mooney a greaser machine. There’s a whole lot of friendly ground effect with that low wing that you never get in a Cessna. The problem is getting it to touch down where you want it though a 6,000’ runway masks...

Yeah, that’s the complacency thing. You survive it and you become a bit better. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

But can you grease it on to a spot? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

…but then you can go back to a low wing trike gear and be a star! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Another case for doing some glider flying. No power to work with, just a sight picture and a variable drag control (spoilers) in most craft. Very easy to land accurately but no go arounds. Then there’s a glider with only flaps. Sort of a one way drag device; you can drop ‘em but practically...

The whole 3 degree slope thing is an IFR oriented thing IMHO. Training in a 172 you might flight the 5 mile final at 90 knots and a 400-500 FPM descent to be on slope (slow) or in something a bit faster you can come down at 120 knots and 600-800fpm. At that rate and a mile or two out there’s...

After 50 years of casual sport flying I’ve found that: - Proficiency is biggest factor; 2 landings every day last week improves your odds over 3 landings last quarter. - With exerience, complacency comes into play if your not careful. Thinking about anything other than the flare, during the...

That was my experience after building my RV10. We did a little meet and greet chitchat followed by a “how long did it take” type question which I casually expanded on. I saw a knowing glimmer in his eyes and knew we were through. He looked at the stack 3 ring binders I had brought in, ignored...

4A is an improvement over original. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Back when I was a few years out of college working a technical sales job for a big company in NYC, I told my manager that I needed to make more money so I could buy a sailplane. He said I needed to get married for the dual income. He was right. We bought a sailplane and a year later a house...

When I’m doing practice approaches I refrain from mentioning my position relative to the approach waypoints - they generally mean nothing to the pattern people. I’m 8 miles north inbound. When I get to pattern altitude I’m just another inbound VFR plane looking to enter the pattern on a 2 to 3...

NJ has consistent ridge soaring but ‘consistent ridge soaring’ is not the most interesting or exciting condition to fly in… unless you are soaring the Appalachians. Minden NV and the surrounding Sierra Mountains may have the most exciting and dynamic soaring conditions in the country. Many of...

Flying IFR I never write down ATIS or ASOS info. Everything translates rather instantly into a response or action I’m going to take. Wind turns into runway selection and crosswind direction. Temp and dew point only need to be separated by a couple of degrees. If they are within 1 or 2...

The continued affordability of owning a plane is partially dependent on maintaining an extensive shoe collection for my co-pilot. Keeps the Captain happy as well. Walking in them is beside the point. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

We have more/better conditions in the states than Europe but soaring is a much more active sport there. Texas has excellent flat land thermal soaring conditions across the state. I traveled from Jersey to get my check ride and to race more than a few times. Worth the trip. Sent from my iPad...

Back in my sailplane days, I used to facetiously describe disinterest in hang gliders by saying “I don’t want my body to be the landing gear on any aircraft”! Seriously, just joking here but…. Retirement is generally connected with aging and I honestly can’t imagine launching this creaky...

This is living the life! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro