The Honest Guide to Aircraft Ownership: Paperwork & Pitfalls (Part 2)
In 2026, relying solely on old-school analog gauges is outdated. The “Engine Instruments… In the Green” checklist belongs to the era of the woolly mammoth.
Category Archives: Techniques
The Honest Guide to Aircraft Ownership: Paperwork & Pitfalls (Part 1)
(Or: How to part with a bank account’s assets with great ease) This article was totally researched and written without the use of AI. After all the reflection and research, the dream finally becomes a reality. You take possession of your first airplane. In these pages, I previously covered the pre-purchase phase in a 4-part… Read more »
Measured Efficiency
Recently, in another article, I discussed the installation of electronic magnetos on the PA-30. It’s important to understand that the STCs (“Supplemental Type Certificates”) offered by electronic magneto manufacturers are essentially identical in their basic purpose. You replace an older, heavier component with a lighter and more efficient one. The main objective is to eliminate… Read more »
When all else fails
Last January 2024, just after the holiday season, I undertook a “training flight” to cover the recency regulation for my IFR qualification. In Canada, it is required to log 6 hours of IFR flying, shoot 6 approaches to minimum and accomplish this within 6 months of a proposed IFR flight. The weather was impeccably VFR.… Read more »
Emags follow-up
About 4 weeks ago we took-off for the Yukon for a 2 week vacation. Canada’s vast expanse had us covering 2500 nm for about 16 hours of flying – one way (CZBM – CYQT – CYQR – CYXJ – CYXY). This happened to be an excellent test to follow-up the electronic ignition ( emag )… Read more »
Time for a magneto upgrade
Improving the old reliable magneto with an electronic ignition system General aviation aircraft engines have been around for ages. The technology has evolved into super reliable propulsion source. One does not have to dwell too long on the punishing environmental and certainly difficult operating conditions. Yet well maintained and operated there is an excellent chance… Read more »
The impossible turn
Can the return to the runway be executed safely with discipline?
Communications
When communications become a problem.
Going faster
… an important aspect aside from flying the aircraft, was flying the aircraft as intelligently as possible.
Refurbishing project
Tired of that old rustic interior with colonial seating and tape covered cracked side panels? Depending on how much time you spend aboard your favourite aircraft, comfort (read fatigue) will sooner or later become a concern. This old aircraft Honest folks, let’s admit it. After spending a few hours sitting in a beat up old… Read more »