Logistics and what it means for your flight preparation

Your three friends, four sets of luggage and golf clubs may exceed both the weight capacity and cargo volume of most typical rentals.  Does that mean you have to scrap your trip, or worse yet, spend 24 of the allotted 72 hours driving?  Maybe, but then again by managing the logistics the flying trip may still be possible.

Chart Smart: VFR sectional remote communications outlet

The Greenville VORTAC communications box indicates that you are able to communicate with the Gainesville Flight Service Station by transmitting on 122.1 (122.1R) on your comm radio.

Video Tip: How to land a Piper J-3 Cub tailwheel airplane on grass

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The rugged design of a tailwheel airplane and its extra prop clearance opens up the opportunity to land at a wide variety of off-airport locations with soft surfaces, like sand, gravel bars, grass and even mud. A modified soft-field approach and landing technique should be used when operating in these conditions, which allows the wheels to touchdown at the slowest possible airspeed with the wings supporting the weight of the airplane as long as possible.

Crosswind landings – flight maneuver spotlight

This crosswind landing technique requires you to modify your normal landing procedure by using a combination of rudder and aileron to keep the airplane aligned with the runway.
Aircraft Engine - No cowling

Can a pilot perform maintenance on an aircraft?

Pilots are allowed to perform simple or minor maintenance on their aircraft – what the FAA refers to as preventive maintenance. Appendix A to Part 43 contains a list of tasks that meet the preventive maintenance definition.

Do you really have the available runway distance published?

In the Chart Supplement entry for many airports, especially those frequented by jet aircraft, you’ll see a collection of runway distance information that may differ from the runway length information published on the airport diagram.

How do you start a jet engine?

Smaller jet engines are started using electrical power, either from a battery or an external power unit. Upon initiating the start, generally with the push of a button, the battery powers the starter motor which begins rotating the engine just like a piston-powered airplane or your car.
pitot

Quiz: Understanding the airplane Pitot-Static System

The pitot-static system is the source of valuable flight information for the pilot. But how does it work and what instruments are affected? Take this quiz to find out if you have mastered the finer details of the pitot-static system.

Friday photo: Navy Pier and Chicago Skyline

Another memorable trip to EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh and this time in my own airplane. The perfect ending was capturing the beauty of Navy Pier and the Chicago skyline.

Video tip: how to calculate takeoff and landing distances

Just about every airplane includes performance data in the Pilot's Operating Handbook to calculate the runway length required for takeoff and landing under various conditions. The FARs require you to determine these distances as part of your preflight responsibilities, but fortunately the charts published for today's modern airplanes make this task a breeze. This week's tip takes a look at how perform this calculation using the common "chase-around" style charts.