Featured Articles
The 9th Annual Gathering in Waupaca
Jul 26 - 28 — Waupaca, WI. Waupaca Municipal (KPCZ). The 9th Annual Gathering in Waupaca. PFA’s annual pre-OSH event with several days of fun, food and friendship. Friday night reception, Saturday lunch and dinner cruise, Sunday lunch; seminars on Saturday and Sunday morning; and transportation to and from the airport and hotel/hotel and Chain O’Lakes. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday bus transportation to and from the EAA AirVenture grounds. The best value in aviation—and the early bird price for members and their guests has been extended. Reserve your room at... Read more
PA-28 Engine Options from RAM Aircraft
June 2013 STC packages for your Cherokee If the engine on your PA-28-140 or PA-28-151 is getting tired and it’s time to do something about it, you have a few options to consider. You can get a factory rebuilt engine from Lycoming, an overhaul from an engine shop or install a brand-new engine. You can also take your engine to RAM Aircraft to have one of its engine STCs installed. RAM Aircraft, based in Waco, Tex. was founded in 1976 and has spent the intervening years honing the craft of overhauling and improving... Read more
Engine Overhauls 101
June 2013 Insider’s guide to getting the best bang for your engine overhaul buck. Life’s funny that way. One day you’re flying your Cherokee 180 along without a care in the world. The next, your mechanic is breaking the news that your beloved is in dire need of an engine overhaul. Of course you knew this day was coming. What do you do now? First and foremost, as Douglas Adams stated in the “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” don’t panic. Take a deep breath and assess the situation. Chances are, unless you’re lucky enough... Read more
Have you ever been to SUN n’ FUN?
June 2013 PFA’s assistant director visits one of the biggest aviation celebrations in the world. Well, this year, I had the privilege to visit Lakeland, Fla. for the very first time to attend one of the biggest aviation celebrations in the world. I’ve attended only a handful of conventions and airshows, including AOPA Aviation Summit and Kaneohe Bay Airshow, so I didn’t know what to expect. Although I was only scheduled to attend for a short three days, I knew that I would be bedazzled by everything I saw, especially since I am... Read more
No-Drip Oil Change Challenge
May 2013 With some simple tools and a steady hand, you’ll leave no trace of your work—except what you’ve documented in the log. Oil in the wrong place is the gift that keeps on giving; it spreads, collects dirt and generates fingerprints. When pouring in the new oil, it’s patience that keeps the oil from dripping. No matter how hard I try, I seem to drip oil in one place or another when I change the oil and filter on my 1965 Cherokee 140. It drips on the strut; it drips on the hoses,... Read more
What’s in your survival/ditch kit?
May 2013 Several months ago (“Heading Bug,” June 2012) columnist David Hipschman weighed in with his ideas about what to carry in your Piper for emergencies, and he shared what he carries: “Here’s what is currently in my ditch case. But I need to point out that it changes often as I come across things I like, or contemplate flights that differ in their potential for survival challenges: A comprehensive first aid kit (unless you have a medical background, get a kit with good instructions in case what might happen exceeds your knowledge)... Read more
The Fabric of Life: Maintaining and repairing your fabric aircraft
April 2013 Modern processes and products will keep your fabric-covered aircraft in great shape for decades. When you look back through the old logbooks for Piper J-3 Cubs, you’ll see that most logged some type of fabric work every few years. This work may have been to repair damage but in most instances, the fabric was just plain worn out. Early aircraft were often covered with cotton and dope and usually sat outside year-round. Although cotton is very strong, its lifespan is very short. In the 1950s and ‘60s it became popular to... Read more
Left Coast Pilot – A Lot More Flying Than I Expected!
April 2013 I ended my February column by saying that I expected to be flying a lot less, given my wife's cancer diagnosis. In fact, I'm delighted (and more than a little surprised) to report that I've been flying a lot: my logbook includes half a dozen entries so far this year, totaling no less than 5.9 hours in two very different airplanes. And before I go any further, the reason I've been able to fly that much is that Kate is doing very well. By the time you read this,... Read more
The Perfect 10: Aircraft Interiors: Tips and suggestions from SCS Interiors
Freshening up your aircraft’s interior can be an important update for many reasons. In addition to looking good, it increases your and your passengers’ comfort. New carpet and seat coverings often add value to your aircraft while reducing cockpit noise and vibration. Many pilots dream of the day their airplane’s cockpit is a Perfect 10, and for many, leather seats are at the top of the wish list. “There is nothing more beautiful than a leather interior in a plane—especially one that is custom designed in colors to give the... Read more
The Dollars and Sense of Business Flying: A trip to Decatur, Ala.
You can’t get there from here? Yes you can… if you fly your own airplane! I’ve been a fan of flying since I was a little kid—and I’m going to be 60 in February. I grew up in Bensenville, Ill. just a mile away from O’Hare (KORD) and I would ride my bike down to Runway 14R all the time to watch the DC-3s, Electras and DC-6s. I started training for my private pilot certificate in 1980, and flew about 50 hours. Then my first son was born—this may sound... Read more
The Great American Airshow
IN A TOUGH ECONOMY, AIRSHOWS ARE STILL RIDING A WAVE OF POPULARITY. There are now more than 325 airshows held each year across North America drawing millions of spectators. This year, airshow promoters expect attendance numbers of 10 to 12 million which illustrates that even in a recession, airshow attendance is strong. Why? Airshows are one of the best entertainment values around. Consider a trip to Disneyland. Tickets for a family of two adults and two children to step through the gates of the Magic Kingdom total just over $250, and that’s... Read more
Piper’s Pest-Busting Airplanes: PA-25 & PA-36 Pawnee
In the first few decades of the aviation age, airplanes quickly became a part of Americans’ daily lives. In addition to providing invaluable service in World War II, aircraft also served in a war against six-legged pests. The first known use of a heavier-than-air machine occurred in August 1921. A United States Army Air Service Curtiss JN-4 Jenny piloted by John A. Macready was modified at McCook Field to spread lead arsenate to kill Catalpa Sphinx caterpillars at a farm near Troy, Ohio. This first test was considered highly successful. The first... Read more
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iFlightPlanner Adds Graphical SUA & …
June 12, 2013, Ann Arbor, MI – iFlightPlanner officially announced today that all iFlightPlanner.com maps, namely the VFR and IFR charts available at iFlightPlanner.com/AviationCharts and those found in the Flight Wizard™, now feature vertical airspace profiles and a completely redesigned mapping interface with full-screen viewing capability. Special Use Airspace (NSA, MOA, Alert, Warning, Prohibited & Restricted Areas) as well as Class...
Read morePiper, European Dealers Exhibit at EBACE…
VERO BEACH, Fla., May 21, 2013 – Piper Aircraft Inc. and its European dealers and sales agents will display a 2013 single-engine turboprop M-Class Meridian at this year’s EBACE, the European Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition, to be held May 21-23 at Geneva Palexpo and Geneva International Airport. “This venue is truly Europe’s premier event focused on business aviation, and Piper’s...
Read morePiper Appoints Veteran Industry Executiv…
VERO BEACH, Fla., May 21, 2013 – Piper Aircraft Inc. has appointed General Aviation industry veteran, Drew McEwen, to Vice President of Sales and Marketing, where he will lead global sales and marketing for the Company. He will continue to report to President and CEO Simon Caldecott and serve on the Company’s Executive Leadership Team. “Drew’s leadership of Piper’s global sales...
Read morePiper Receives OK for Garmin G1000 in Se…
VERO BEACH, Fla., May 15, 2013 – Piper Aircraft, Inc. has received Type Certificate approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to incorporate the Garmin G1000 avionics suite into new twin-engine Piper Seneca V aircraft models for delivery beginning this year. Piper Aircraft Inc. is one of the first manufacturers to adopt the most recent G1000 software supporting a three display avionics...
Read moreDUSTY, STAR OF ‘DISNEY’S PLANES,’ TO APP…
Dusty Crophopper will be on display and fly throughout week at Oshkosh EAA AVIATION CENTER, Oshkosh, Wis. – (May 21, 2013) – The summer release of “Disney’s Planes,” the animated comedy adventure from above the world of the popular 2006 film “Cars,” has the entire aviation community buzzing. “Disney’s Planes” captures all of the thrill and excitement that flying has...
Read moreBIRD? PLANE? IT’S JETMAN AT EAA AIRVENTU…
EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. — (May 2, 2013) — Yves “Jetman” Rossy, the world’s first jet-powered man, will make his first public U.S. flights this summer at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, showcasing the cutting edge of human flight at The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration on July 29-August 4. The U.S. flights are supported by Jetman’s sponsor, the luxury Swiss watch manufacturer...
Read moreThe New Airman Certification Standard: W…
Newcastle, WA -- Over the past several months, ASA has been participating on the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) Airman Testing Standards and Training Working Group, which resulted from the Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) conducted in 2011. One of the primary tasks of the ARAC was to provide an integrated Airman Certification Standard (ACS) which will replace the Practical Test Standards...
Read moreCalifornia Aviation Awareness Day
California Aviation Awareness Day at the Capitol in Sacramento, April 24, 2013 The California Aviation Awareness Day at the Capitol is presented to inform legislators, staff, and the public about the importance of aviation to the welfare of the California economy and to raise the level of awareness of the benefits of aviation to all Californians. Our Main Message Aviation is vital to...
Read moreNext Series of ASTM D7547 UL 91 Unleaded…
Lycoming Continues Call for ‘UL 100’ as a Fleetwide Solution Williamsport, PA – Lycoming Engines, a division of Avco Corporation, released Service Instruction SI-1070R in April of 2012, which approved a wide variety of engines for use with ASTM D7547 UL 91 unleaded avgas. European Aviation Safety Administration (EASA) Safety Information Bulletin (SIB) 2011-01 provided aircraft-level approval on the basis of...
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John Bagnas updated the article: Piper Arrow: Hitting the Mark for 46 Yearsyesterday -
John Bagnas updated the article: Sticky Situations: Causes and Cures for Stuck Valvesyesterday
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John Bagnas updated the article: PFA Engine Resource Guideyesterday
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John Bagnas updated the article: Bearing Play: How Much is Too Much?yesterday
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John Bagnas updated the article: Heading Bug: Death in the Sky, and Other Statistical Talesyesterday
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John Bagnas updated the article: 2011 articlesyesterday
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Jen D replied to the topic 'Narco AT 150 TSO transponder w/Mode C' in the forum.3 days ago -
Tom Thompson created a new topic ' Narco AT 150 TSO transponder w/Mode C' in the forum.My 1969 PA 200R Arrow is having intermittent...
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Jen D updated the article: Piper Arrow: Hitting the Mark for 46 Years5 days ago
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Jen D shared a video
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Hand Propping an Airplane EngineThis is the first start of a newly rebuilt 65 horsepower Continental A-65-8.5 days ago