American Football and Airplanes Took off at the Same Time (and are still connected)

Both football and airplanes are deeply ingrained in the American psyche. But I don’t have to tell you this—look at the Super Bowl that took place just a couple of weeks ago. While the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots drew the smallest crowd since 2009, there were still about 103.4 [...]

By |February 19th, 2018|Aviation History, General Aviation|Comments Off on American Football and Airplanes Took off at the Same Time (and are still connected)

The B-52: From Strategic Bomber to Hairstyle to American New Wave Band

The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress was—and continues to be—a major contributor to the United States military, as well as allied forces. Introduced in February 1955, this heavy bomber has since undergone six decades of operational service and continuous upgrades, including upgrades to payload and offensive avionics system. Despite 60 years’ worth of changes, one thing has [...]

By |February 14th, 2018|General Aviation|Comments Off on The B-52: From Strategic Bomber to Hairstyle to American New Wave Band

How Aircraft Pressurization Works

In order for planes to fly safely and efficiently, they must go high into the sky; after all, they are airplanes. However, being 30,000-40,000 feet in the air isn't the best scenario for the people in the plane due to thinner air. Compensating for the difference in pressure from sea level to the sky through cabin [...]

By |January 15th, 2018|General Aviation|Comments Off on How Aircraft Pressurization Works

Are Drones a Threat to Aircraft?

While pilots typically love the freedom afforded by flying in the open skies, that wide, open space may appear to get smaller and smaller as more drones take to the air. Recently published research commissioned by the FAA finds that high-speed collision between an airliner and a drone is more damaging than bird strikes. In [...]

By |December 11th, 2017|Aviation News|Comments Off on Are Drones a Threat to Aircraft?

Aviation Grease: A Critical Component for Maintaining Airworthiness

You might say that grease is the unsung hero of the aviation world. Sure, fuels and engine oils get you up in the air (and pilot skills keep you up), but it’s the lubricants that help keep everything running smoothly. Using grease is important for keeping your plane in perfect flying order. But what exactly [...]

By |November 6th, 2017|General Aviation|Comments Off on Aviation Grease: A Critical Component for Maintaining Airworthiness

The Story of the B-17 “Swamp Ghost”

Papua New Guinea has seen its share of plane crashes, as well as its share of war buffs hunting for “warbird” wrecks. But of all the downed planes scattered throughout the mountainous rainforests and jungle terrain, the fabled “Swamp Ghost” remains the most legendary. For 64 years, this downed B-17 Flying Fortress rested intact among [...]

By |October 30th, 2017|General Aviation|Comments Off on The Story of the B-17 “Swamp Ghost”

This is Why Your Love of Aviation and Travel Increases Your Exposure to Radiation

When we think of radiation, we think scary. We think of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. We think of the Chernobyl disaster and radioactive boars running around Europe. Or we think of cancer—fatigue and hair loss. Do you think of bananas? Doubtful. Do you think of flying? Probably not. But there are doses of radiation thanks [...]

By |June 27th, 2017|General Aviation|Comments Off on This is Why Your Love of Aviation and Travel Increases Your Exposure to Radiation

Plane of the Week: Piper J-3 Cub

The bright yellow finish of the Piper J-3 Cub is nothing short of immediately recognizable. In my opinion, it may be one of the most recognizable planes in the sky, or at the very least, the most recognizable single engine plane. My opinion is that it only competes with the Cessna 172, in regard to being [...]

By |January 27th, 2017|Plane Of The Week|Comments Off on Plane of the Week: Piper J-3 Cub

Maintaining Airworthiness: Certified Aircraft Maintenance

So, should I wait for a check engine light to go on, or what?  If you have a car, you probably follow the manufacturer’s suggestion to have it serviced regularly. Or at least you should. For the most part, that’s up to your own discretion. You take it for regular inspections? Great! Not every state [...]

By |December 19th, 2016|General Aviation|Comments Off on Maintaining Airworthiness: Certified Aircraft Maintenance

Plane of the Week: Lockheed XFV-1

Sit. Stay. Good plane. https://youtu.be/lF_w9bq8vyc XFV "Salmon" Trust us: there's nothing super fishy about this plane, even if you question the ability of a plane to "sit" on its tail. This experimental "tail sitter" prototype originated from a proposal by the U.S. Navy in 1948. They were looking for an aircraft that was capable of [...]

By |September 9th, 2016|Plane Of The Week|Comments Off on Plane of the Week: Lockheed XFV-1