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How High is High?
By Bob Turner
MCFI San Diego
I remember when GPS just got going good. A buddy had the magic Garmin 295 and showed me how wonderful it was – it even had accurate altitude. He could now be assured of being at the correct altitude no matter what.
Homebuilder's Workshop: Fetching the RV-8
By Ed Wischmeyer
The RV-8 in flight. (Courtesy of Ed Wischmeyer)For quite some time, I’ve figured that the RV-8 was probably what would best meet my needs and desires in a sport airplane. There have been any number advertised for sale, many with over-personalized paint jobs, excessive equipment, and astronomical price tags.
Eventually, though, one showed up on the west coast that looked pretty good, and at a good price. However, there are plenty of homebuilts of all sorts out there with beautiful cosmetics but shoddy wiring and engine installation. Those fears were allayed when it turned out that a long-term friend knew the airplane, knew the builder, and knew the seller. Plus, the picture of the engine installation showed numerous details nicely done. As a bonus, those frustrating piano wires in the hard to reach parts of the cowling had been replaced with Dzus fasteners. With absolutely no bargaining on the price, I mailed off a deposit check.
Smack In The Middle of a Thunderstorm
By Steve Weaver
I crouched miserably behind the instrument panel of the shuddering, heaving Aztec, listening to what sounded like a million BBs being shot against my windshield. I was reviewing my options as well as my sins, and I took what comfort I could from an observation that I remembered by someone who had been there; that when you’re really flying in hail, you won’t wonder if that’s what it is. I was still wondering, so this must still be rain. But rain like this I’d never seen. This was like being inside a garbage can that was being shot with fire hoses. I wondered how the engines could continue to run, since they seemed to be under water. Lightning was streaking on each side of me and almost at the same time the deafening crash of the thunder would for an instant, block the noise of the rain and even the engines. I was smack in the middle of a thunderstorm and I was not a happy young aviator.
Light Sport Flying with In Flight USA - February 2011
Sport Pilot and Winter Flying
By Ed Downs
At first glance, one might conclude that winter flying as a Sport Pilot, or operation of an S-LSA, caries the same cautions applicable to all pilots and aircraft. To an extent, that is true, but there are a couple of special considerations.
Any article about winter flying needs to talk about the potential of IFR encounters. The reader’s first thought may be, “What IFR – Sport Pilots nor LSA’s are allowed to fly IFR – so why even talk about it?” Well, that is not quite true. There is nothing within the ASTM Consensus Standards that prohibit an S-LSA from being flown IFR. IFR restrictions are completely up to the airframe and engine manufacturer. The ability to operate an S-LSA in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) will be clearly stated in the Pilot Operating Handbook. To be sure, most S-LSA manufacturers do prohibit the use of their aircraft in IMC, but several S-LSAs specifically allow IFR flight, given the installation of a specific engine and/or equipment. But, even if IFR flight is allowed, there may be limitations, such as “no flight into known icing conditions.” It is very important to give that POH a good read, as it is required to contain a number of certification limitations that are established by the manufacturer, not the ASTM standards or FAA. Do not fall into the trap of thinking that the words of one POH speak for all S-LSAs.
Flying in the Mountains
IFR Means I Follow Roads
By Alan Smith
Flying light aircraft in the mountains, especially during the winter months, has its own set of rules. Some are fairly obvious while others are a bit more subtle.
Flying a light plane through rugged mountain territory is done without some of the emergency options a pilot has while crossing the flatlands or wide valleys below. It should be clear, for example, to any pilot as he or she moves through the high peaks and canyons of a mountain range that fields in which he could safely put the airplane in the event of engine failure are few and far between.