Those who fly in the beautiful snow-covered North know that the winter brings spectacular views and welcomed gains in performance. The airplane’s engine, propeller, and wings, which have struggled all summer against the ravages of high temperatures and density altitude, are...
I describe the drive from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to Denver as consecutive alternating doglegs, each 100-plus-miles long. Initially drive south, then east, finally south again for 530 miles—the crow only endures 390 or so miles. I could either zigzag on summer...
I was pounding along in the ancient Aeronca, clinging to the four-lane highway under my left elbow while rain and low scudding clouds enveloped me. Emergency IFR was out of the question, given the sparse panel in front of me, so...
LeRoy Cook has logged 17,000-plus hours, has written more than 1850 magazine articles and has flown about 500 different makes and models of aircraft. A midwestern-based CFI, he enjoys introducing new people to flying and is always looking for a different...
“I saw a reference to wind shear in the destination airport’s TAF. Should I cancel the flight?” The pilot asking was experienced enough to plan a trip thoroughly but was still learning with every new encounter. Because he wasn’t sure of...
Given the dozens of forest fires burning out of control in southeastern Canada, mainly in Quebec and Nova Scotia, I have received many inquiries from my followers about how to deal with smoke from an aviation perspective. First and foremost, smoke...
Short of an erroneous forecast or calibration issue with your immersion thermometer, if you can remain below the lowest freezing level during your entire flight, there’s typically no chance for an encounter with airframe ice. Induction ice is certainly possible, but...
It’s rare to find a pilot these days who doesn’t rely on a digital service for their flight planning, management, or debriefing. Often that means using multiple platforms—until now. ForeFlight, a Boeing Company, has announced its acquisition of CloudAhoy, a debriefing...
