May 16, 2019November 5, 2025

Be Your Own Mechanic — The Secondhand Homebuilt Aircraft Owner’s Guide to Maintenance

Homebuilding, Tips

There is an argument that as the owner of your own airplane, you will actually be the best person to maintain it, assuming you have the skills or are willing ... Read more

May 1, 2019November 5, 2025

The Matter of Materials — The Pros and Cons of Wood, Steel, Aluminum, and Composites

Homebuilding, Tips

When the vast majority of general aviation pilots (as opposed to purely recreational pilots) think about buying a more-or-less modern airplane, the question of what material that airplane uses in ... Read more

April 25, 2019October 20, 2025

Losing Power on Takeoff — What to Do If It Happens to You

Tips

You’re experiencing a partial power loss. Now what? This scenario can and sometimes does happen, and it can usually be prevented.

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April 17, 2019October 20, 2025

Personal Minimums — Go or No Go

Tips

The FAA preaches “know your minimums.” It does a relatively good job in trying to get pilots to understand the importance of this phrase as it applies to the individual’s ... Read more

April 10, 2019November 5, 2025

Buying An Uncompleted Project — When Is Free Too Much?

Homebuilding, Tips

The allure is obvious: An uncompleted project looks like a way to greatly aid completion. However, it’s really easy for a shortcut to a dream to lead to a nightmare.

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April 3, 2019October 20, 2025

Soft-Field Takeoffs and Landings

Tips

Soft-field takeoff and landing techniques are a mandatory training segment for all sport, private, and commercial pilots. However, very few students ever experience true soft-field conditions.

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March 20, 2019October 20, 2025

Tail Wheels — What Can Go Wrong?

Tips

There are as many tail wheel assembly designs as there are experimental airplanes, or at least it seems that way. Most tail wheels share the same problems, so I’ll talk ... Read more

March 6, 2019November 6, 2025

Inspections and Maintenance Quiz

Tips

Pick the single best answer for each of the following questions about inspections and maintenance.

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March 6, 2019October 20, 2025

Nose Wheels — What Can Go Wrong

Tips

The top three nose wheel issues are shimmy, shimmy, and shimmy. Ok, kidding. Other problems besides shimmy, such as tracking and hardware assembly issues, can cause you to take out ... Read more

February 28, 2019October 22, 2025

Back in the Saddle

Tips

If you haven’t flown for a while, getting current is a little harder and a lot easier than you think.

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February 27, 2019October 22, 2025

I Want to Be a Better Pilot — Relaxing on Takeoffs and Landings

Tips

Safely flying a tailwheel requires much more attention from the pilot than a tricycle-gear airplane, especially during taxi, takeoff, and landing. However, once in the air, a tailwheel airplane is ... Read more

February 14, 2019October 28, 2025

Top 5 Trouble Areas on a New Homebuilt

Homebuilding, Tips

Read about the top 5 trouble areas on a new homebuilt airplane.

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February 14, 2019October 22, 2025

A Lost Art: The Power-Off 180 Approach and Landing

Tips

Years ago, every young pilot wannabe had to learn and perform the180-degree power-off approach and landing to pass the private pilot checkride. It took a bit of practice, but most ... Read more

February 6, 2019October 22, 2025

Haven’t Flown in a While?

Tips

We all wish we could fly as often as possible, but other responsibilities get in the way. When aviation is our recreation and not our work, we can find long ... Read more

February 1, 2019November 6, 2025

Joy of Stick, Love of Yoke

Tips, Why We Fly

An awful lot of considerations go into the designer’s choice of stick or yoke beyond its location. Side-stick, yoke (or wheel), center stick — what’s your preference as a pilot? ... Read more