Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 19, 2024

When I had the endurance to drive 20 miles to an appointment, had good situational awareness of all the cars around me on the freeway, and when driving didn’t take 100 percent concentration, I had passed the first challenge before getting in the airplane. I could tell that this had the CFI’s full attention. So what did I observe?

Pitot Tube 81

Pitot Tube Approach Aileron Instrument Landing System 81

Plane and Pilot

JANUARY 23, 2025

It had been over 15 years since I was last in a small airplane, and to say I was excited is quite the understatement. Postflight, youll learn how to properly shut down the airplane safely. In-Flight Experience Takeoff and climb Taking off in a small airplane for the first time is a feeling youll never forget.

Rudder 97

Rudder Descent Pilot Runway 97

Photographic Logbook

FEBRUARY 2, 2025

At the airport, there was ice and snow to remove from in front of the hangar door, fuel to add to the Warrior now resting on three fully inflated tires (the left main had a new tube), and then there was the moment when I slipped on ice while pulling the airplane from the hangar and landed flat on my back. 164 airplanes.)

Runway 89

Runway Knot Weather Turbulence 89

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 11, 2024

For instance, you’ve been noticing a change in your airplane’s engine—it no longer starts at the first twist of the key, now requiring some extra finagling before springing to life. The engine was idling, but the propeller is unrepairable, despite being able to propel the airplane back to the hangar.

Stability 52

Stability Annual Inspection Crosswind Runway 52

Photographic Logbook

OCTOBER 11, 2024

I was very fortunate this year to share my airplane with a varied cast of terrific friends both old and new. I was intrigued by what appeared to be a grass crosswind runway at North Bass Island, but no such runway is listed in official publications. Except for a single airplane tied down on the ramp, the parking apron was empty.

Runway 82

Runway Approach Knot Drag 82

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 29, 2024

Fussing with the avionics to keep tabs on the weather gave many more knob touches than the airplane itself. Kentland has a 4,000-foot runway, east/west, with a crosswind straight out of the north. And on short final at Knoxville, I got chirps from a flock of unrecognized electronic birds, telling me something but not in airplane-speak.

Weather 52

Weather Runway Knot Rudder 52

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 3, 2024

Since then, the team has advanced the airplane into a kit, one made out of carbon fiber and incorporating more than 1400 hours of the prototype’s operation. But now they are, and as no other Experimental—or certified airplane for that matter—can do what the Gweduck can, it’s time to take a good look at the program.

Airplanes 78

Airplanes Rudder Knot Aileron 78

Photographic Logbook

JANUARY 25, 2025

Thaws, rain, snow, and strong crosswinds can temporarily close the airport. I urged all participants to be airborne by 7:00 am if we were to have any chance of securing limited airplane parking spots on the ice of Alton Bay. Rolling out on final approach, I was surprised to see another airplane stopped right at the runway threshold.

Runway 68

Runway Airplanes Threshold Approach 68

Plane and Pilot

JULY 2, 2024

And the operating environment presents its own limitations on our activity, quite aside from the skills of the pilot and innate performance of the airplane. Each of these three constraints—pilot, airplane, and environment—needs its own consideration to assure adequate safety. Stay honest in your relationship with the airplane.

Density Altitude 58

Density Altitude Airplanes Wind Shear Pilot 58

Air Facts

AUGUST 21, 2024

We live at an airpark, and the airplanes are steps from my kitchen. In fact, we have a window over the stove that looks into the hangar. A cruise climb as I make my crosswind turn, then downwind, more radio calls on the way. Oh, yes, I need to get fuel, but the real mission is a flight in an aircraft I built—pure and simple.

Groundspeed 98

Groundspeed Runway Approach Crosswind 98

Plane and Pilot

DECEMBER 16, 2024

A strong or soft market overall can dramatically influence any given airplanes success, quite apart from how it looks or performs. Plus, you know, the airplanes were pretty OK. Literally overnight we got eight semitruck loads of equipment outtooling, molds, and even airplanes. General aviation is driven by myriad forces.

Airplanes 98

Airplanes Rudder Aileron Crosswind 98