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In Flight USA Articles
Tips from the Pros - February 2011
“Tips from the Pros” is a new feature dedicated to allowing the In Flight USA family of aviation professionals to share tips and information regarding flying skills, airframe care and engine operations.
Are you a pro? Send in your tips for consideration. Please send 400 to 600 words describing your tip to editor@inflightusa.com.
Reduce the Risk of Hypoxia
Do you or your passengers sometimes arrive after your flight feeling tired with a headache? Rest easy, you are not ill with some weird virus but more likely are suffering from the insidious effects of hypoxia. Between 5,000 and 12,000 feet, hypoxia may cause the first signs of fatigue, drowsiness, sluggishness, headache, and slower reaction time. At 15,000 feet, the hypoxic effect becomes increasingly apparent in terms of impaired efficiency, increased drowsiness, errors in judgment, and difficulty with simple tasks requiring mental alertness or muscular coordination. These symptoms become more intensified with progressively higher ascent or with prolonged exposure
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.
Safe Landings - February 2011
It has been said that the only voluntary act in aviation is the decision to take-off. Every action after take-off involves the skillful management of risk, the enjoyment of flight and a continuous stream of decisions that result in a safe landing.
In 1974, NASA created the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) to allow aviation professionals to share experiences in a frank, non-punitive manner. The ASRS structure allows pilots and other aviation professionals to file an anonymous report of an incident, error or occurrence that the contributor feels might be of value to others. These reports are gathered, analyzed and data based by NASA experts and made available to all interested parties as a tool for creating pro-active aviation safety programs. Additionally, NASA distributes an electronic publication, “CALLBACK,” which contains selected, de-identified, reports on a free subscription basis. In Flight USA is proud to reprint selected reports, exerted from “CALLBACK,” for our readers to read, study, occasional laugh at and always, learn from. Visit http://asrs.arc.nasa.gov/ to learn how you can participate in the ASRS program.
Paperless Flying
The day of the paperless cockpit has dawned, and with that, ASRS is hearing more about incidents involving Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs), as these electronic display systems are known.
EFB displays may be portable (Class 1), attached to a cockpit mounting device (Class 2), or built into the cockpit (Class 3). There is no doubt EFB devices are powerful and versatile. With display screens often the size of a laptop computer or approach plate, EFBs can display a variety of aviation data, including electronic manuals and documents, performance and planning data, moving maps and GPS, logs and checklists, spreadsheets, real-time weather, TCAS, terrain avoidance, email, and even the internet.
Goodies and Gadgets - February 2011
What's Up!? - February 2011
Bucket Heads VS. More Common Sense/Cents
By Larry Shapiro
I remember back in the days when you could legally ride a motorcycle without being required to wear a helmet for fear of getting stopped by the local legal pistol packers. Back then it wasn’t required and a really cheap date was to sit in the ER of your local hospital and watch them bring in the left over body parts from motorcycle mishaps.
I learned then why motorcycles were called “donor” cycles. It was not a pretty picture and a few bucks could have made a difference and maybe saved a life or two and tons of medical bills.
The Luscombe Silvaire Survives for 74 Years With a Life of its Own
By Alan Smith
A 1928 Velie Monocoupe by Clayton Folkerts and Don Luscomb. (Jeremy Drey)We all know the famous names that mark the history of the light plane industry. Most of them, like Bill Piper, Clyde Cessna, or Walter Beech are names that are still with us today along with the aircraft being produced by the companies they started.
Then, there is Donald A. Luscombe who really started the idea of the private light plane back in 1927 when, with Iowa farmer Clayton Folkerts, he designed the Monocoupe – the first enclosed cabin, two-seat, high-wing monoplane to be offered to the public. Folkerts built the first prototype and Luscombe teamed up with industrialist W.L. Velie, who had previously manufactured automobiles to build the model 70 Monocoupe from 1927 through 1929 and offer it as “The Ultimate Plane for the Private Flier.” 350 were built and sold, and Don Luscombe was on his way.
Seabiscuit Author Laura Hillenbrand Talks About her Latest Unbroken
By S. Mark Rhodes
Seabiscuit author Laura Hillenbrand has come up with another remarkable tale in her latest book, Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption (Random House) the rousing authentic story of Louie Zamperini who managed to live through a series of calamites that prove the old cliché that truth is stranger than fiction. In crisp descriptions, Hillenbrand narrates the story of Louie Zamperini a troubled young man who evolved into an Olympic runner and later a military hero. While on a routine patrol over the Pacific, Louie’s bomber crashed into the ocean setting off a chain of events for three years that test the limits of human endurance, fortune and fate. Ms. Hillenbrand was cordial enough to correspond about her work with In Flight’s S. Mark Rhodes.
How Bill Piper and His Piper Cub Taught America How to Fly
By Alan Smith
We all know that a number of men played a significant role in the development of the private aircraft. We know about Clyde Cessna, Walter Beech, Don Luscombe and others, but only one really made a personal plane affordable to the masses. That was William T/ Piper of Bradford, Pennsylvania where he worked in his father’s oil business. He was well into middle age before he found himself moving into the airplane business and did not learn to fly until he was 60 years old.
Early in the century, shortly after the Wright Brothers had proved the powered airplane possible at Kitty Hawk North Carolina on December 17, 1903, Piper had been in the military, had been involved in the Spanish American War, and had earned a Harvard degree in mechanical engineering. He set out to get into the industrial construction business, but soon lost interest in that and returned to Bradford with his family to join his father in the oil business.
Wings at Sea
Eugene Ely and the Centennial of Naval Aviation
A century ago, the world’s navies relied on battleships to rule the seas. These giant floating fortresses of steel were built with great effort and expense by leading seafaring nations. Their size and power captivated the imaginations of millions and often influenced events ashore without firing a shot.
Against this backdrop, few would have expected the newly-invented flying machine still a frail-looking contraption of wood and fabric to play any role in a future victory at sea, much less prove to be utterly decisive. Yet one of the first steps towards the ultimate ascendancy of airplanes at sea occurred in San Francisco Bay on January 18, 1911.
Artist and Author Josh Finney Brings Aviation Comics into the 21st Century With Titanium Rain
By S. Mark Rhodes
Set in the very near future, Titanium Rain deals with the ramifications of a civil war in China spills into a more international concern. The protagonist, USAF pilot Alec Killian finds himself quickly mixed up in a conflict, which will test his morality, humanity and will to live.
Titanium Rain (Archaia Comics) is a sleek piece of speculative graphic novel storytelling with an intriguing mix of political, science fiction and aviation themes created by Josh Finney and Kat Rocha. Mark Rhodes of In Flight was fortunate enough to interview co-creator Josh Finney about his work, his interest in aviation and the decline of aviation and war comics.
Around the World in a Waco YMF-5D?
By Carl Dye
Chief Pilot and General Manager
Photos Courtesy of
Waco Classic Aircraft Company
Every now and then we get an inquiry from an intrepid aviator contemplating what is possibly the ultimate adventure in an airplane, a flight around the world.
Could it be done in a WACO Classic YMF? Yes, it is possible.
Light Sport Flying With In Flight USA - January 2011
What the Heck is an E-LSA?
By Ed Downs
The subject of aircraft certification, be it standard, special or experimental can make even the most geeky tax lawyer think they have fallen down the rabbit hole, especially when talking about Experimental aircraft. So let’s keep this month’s column about the real world of buying, selling and using an E-LSA airplane. The fact is, one is very likely to come across a “for sale” ad featuring an E-LSA that can look inviting. The price may be quite attractive, but just what the heck is an E-LSA?
First, let’s take a general look at any airplane that is certified as an “Experimental” airplane. Actually, there is no such thing as simply an “Experimental” airplane, even if the word “Experimental” is clearly written on the side of the plane. Experimental certification always carries a second word (or two) which describes what sub-part of Experimental we are talking about, and there are numerous sub-parts. For example one might see a nifty little RV-12 (it meets the FAA definition of an LSA) from Van’s Aircraft sitting on the ramp with the word “Experimental” prominently displayed. This RV-12 may have been sold as a kit that meets the new FAA “51% rule” and was certified as Experimental-Amateur Built. This means the builder of the plane can perform all of his/her own maintenance, make changes to the design (including engine changes) conduct the annual condition inspection and pretty much fly when and where he/she wants. Sitting next to that RV-12 might be a weird looking war bird from some country whose name you cannot pronounce, made by a manufacturer best known for cranking out refrigerators that do not work. Our “war bird” will also have the word “Experimental” clearly displayed, but is certified as Experimental-Exhibition. This critter may have significant maintenance issues and require each and every flight to be approved by the FAA. Get the point?
What's Up?!
2011: I Want to Start off the New Year With a Bang, So BANG!
By Larry Shapiro
Looking back some of you may know I’ve had to deal with some major health issues in the past 12 or so months and I chose to share them with you. Of course, with my sense of humor, I laughed at them because I’m invincible and even though I can’t leap over tall building, I have flown over a few.
Lesson learned: Be careful, you might get what you wish for or some things you didn’t wish for.
In early November I had a rather severe accident. No it didn’t involve an airplane or car. The fact is, I don’t know what happened. I can tell you a couple of things: one is that it was the scariest thing that has every happened to me in my 70 years and second, it was also the most painful.
Mancation – A Man’s Vacation In Washington Wine Grunge
By Allan Kissam
The view from Bainbridge Island. (Allan Kissam)Once again, I am on the road and looking for interesting things to do while participating in wine tasting (good activity) and less enjoyable shopping. I am in a sort of time warp of suburban Seattle across Lake Washington. This is Woodinville, next to Redmond where Microsoft lives. Back in the 80’s I lived around here. What a change, but life marches on and I just try to keep up these days. Woodinville is getting big into wine tasting at traditional wineries and tasting rooms. The tasting rooms, I am told, are looked down on by the wine snobs. One big advantage of the tasting rooms is I didn’t drive across hot and dusty roads towards Yakima. These tourist-designated areas let you quickly jump from wine-to-wine and get on to lunch in a great family-owned Mexican restaurant.
Sport Flying with In Flight USA - December 2010
The Gift
By Ed Downs
This holiday column is being written early Sunday morning, with the expectation of a good day. Shortly, this writer will be heading to church, ready to partake of a terrific service followed by our calibration of Thanksgiving. The holiday season is in full swing and most of America is getting serious about selecting the perfect gift for loved ones as “Black Friday” approaches. This early hour promotes reminiscing, and the LSA theme of this column brings to mind a gift I received almost 20 years ago, to the day. Allow an old pilot a moment of sharing.
My local community airport had decided to take advantage of beautiful Indian-Summer weather to hold an open house and mini-airshow. Although late in the season, with Thanksgiving decorations having already given way to the wonders of commercial Christmas paraphernalia, a well-known resident airshow pilot agreed to participate in the program. The local EAA chapter pulled together a fine selection of planes to be displayed, including a couple of warbirds. My company fired up a major EAA Young Eagles event with the intent of setting records by flying at least 100 kids. The Young Eagles program was new at that time and my wife, Sue, set up an assembly-line system to process the paperwork and conduct the educational program that accompanied each flight. The idea was that two planes (both meeting today’s definition of LSA) and three pilots would spend minimum time with ground activities, giving them the ability to offer each participant the best flight experience possible. I signed up to fly a feisty little tail dragger (later to earn fame at major airshows) and all was ready to go.
The Pylon Place - December 2010
The Beginning of Biplane Racing at Reno
By Marilyn Dash
Marilyn DashThe first Air Races in Reno started in 1964. Most of you know the story of Bill Stead and his dream to recreate the Cleveland Air Races in the high desert. But, not many of you know how the Biplanes became part of the project.
Legend has it that Stead went to the Merced Antique Fly-In in 1964 and met up with Sandy Sanders. Sandy was there announcing for several of the airshow acts. Bill was there to promote the upcoming races and to look over some of the acts with an eye on booking them for the races. Bill told Sandy about the event and asked him to come up and assist with the announcing duties.
What's Up?!
Looking Back
By Larry Shapiro
Larry ShapiroIt’s hard to believe we’ve being hanging out together for almost ten years but we have. During that time I’ve tried to cover a lot of topics dealing with aviation or it least close to the subject. My favorite thing and I hope yours was that I tried to deal with some serious subjects using as much humor as I could without being sent to my room by the In Flight staff and publisher. Trust me on this, it hasn’t been easy for them; there have been many times I almost broke my leash.
I have never meant to hurt or embarrass anyone. Okay, maybe one or two, but only in fun. Of course there have been many subjects that have been too serious to play with. As the end of 2010 comes to a close I would like to share some love, joy and a-whole-lot-learned wisdom with you.
Mustang Day At Nut Tree Airport
By Jim Dunn
Representing the Navy fighter aircraft of World War II is Tom Camp’s General Motors built FM-2. Flown at the event by Brain Sanders, the FM-2 Wildcat was the final production version of the Grumman F4F that carried much of the fighting in some of the most difficult early days in the Pacific. (Jim Dunn)On Oct. 9, under a bright-blue California sky the Travis AFB Air Museum, in association with Solano County/Nut Tree Airport, held the second edition of Mustang Day. The event featured examples of both the famous World War II North American P-51 Mustang fighter aircraft and the Ford Motor Company’s popular “Pony” car, the Ford Mustang.
This year, there were a total of five P-51 Mustangs on the ramp for visitors to see close-up. These Mustangs included: Bob Button’s highly modified Reno air racer Voodoo; Ted Contri’s P-51D Rosalie; Terry Tarditi’s P-51D Comfortably Numb; Michael Coutches modified P-51D; and the Nut Tree-based P-51D Sparky, owned by Steve Seghetti.
Miramar Air Show 2010
Never Fails To Impress
By Russ Albertson
Blue Angels beautiful Echelon formation. (Russ Albertson)The Miramar Air Show is always something to look forward to, even if it means the end of summer here in San Diego. This year it took place on Oct. 1, 2, and 3, and although we had a little fog and drizzle, it was still one of the best shows on the West coast.
The Pylon Place - November 2010
Part 2
Reno Air Races : The Lesser Known Stories
By Marilyn Dash
Last month we looked at some of the highlights and lowlights of the 2010 National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nev. This month, I wanted to look at some of the lesser known stories and answer some of the questions being asked by the fans.
There is some amazing racing going on, but not always for the Gold. How many of you were able to catch some of these epic races hidden away in the background.