Plane & Pilotの January/February 2025 の目次

As many of you have noticed, there have been changes here at Plane & Pilot. Former managing editor Amy Wilder has moved onto other aviation journalism roles, and I’ve come over from KITPLANES to take the lead here. And while it’s true that my aviation life has been more on the experimental side of things—I own a GlaStar and will continue to be editor in chief over at KITPLANES—I do have a strong background in GA. From 1988 to 1999, I was a staff editor at AOPA Pilot, flying a lot of different certified aircraft and writing on a wide range of topics. While I’ve focused on homebuilts lately, GA has always been with me, whispering in my ear. (There’s an absolutely pristine Piper Comanche 250 in yellow and white…

WELL-INFORMED READERS are aware that MOSAIC—Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification—is nearly upon us after years of proposals, public comment, and endless discussion among pilots. MOSAIC, which can really be described as a significant broadening of the rules surrounding both light sport aircraft (LSA) and sport pilots, creates the opportunity for new aircraft to be designed and not burdened by extreme certification costs under FAR Part 23. MOSAIC provides pilots flying under sport-pilot rules access to a much broader base of aircraft, both new and old. The “official” proposal package, if you will, was submitted to the FAA over the summer with the expectation that we’ll see a final rule sometime in summer 2025. If you know how rulemaking happens in aviation, doesn’t that seem backward? Isn’t the FAA in the…

Both engines were out. It’s almost unthinkable in an airliner, and surely tensions were high in the flight deck. But this story isn’t about captain Chesley Sullenberger. Twenty-one years before the “Miracle on the Hudson,” one man pulled off a similar feat, landing his stricken Boeing 737 on a levee in New Orleans—captain Carlos Dárdano. Born in 1958, in El Salvador, Dárdano was no stranger to the sky. “I’ve been in airplanes since I was born,” Dárdano said in an interview. His maternal grandfather and father were both pilots, and Dárdano recounts flying on his father’s lap: “I was in love with aviation since I was a child and always knew what I wanted to become.” At 16, Dárdano was a licensed pilot in El Salvador, and by the time…

Price, Fully Equipped: $241,915 Wingspan: 34 ft. Wing Area: 121.6 ft. Length: 22.5 ft. Height: 8.8 ft. Max Gross Weight: 1,320 lbs. Empty Weight: 840 lbs. Useful Load: 480 lbs. Baggage Capacity: 50 lbs. Fuel Capacity, Total: 34.3 gal. Fuel Capacity, Usable: 33.0 gal. Seats: 2 Wing Loading: 10.9 lbs./sq.ft. Power Loading: 13.2 lbs./hp Engine: Rotax 912 iS, 100 hp Propeller: Sensenich three-blade, fixed pitch Max Cruise Speed: 120 knots CAS Maximum Range: 1,076 nm Rate of Climb, Sea Level: 850 fpm Max Operating Altitude: 12,500 ft. Stall Speed, Flaps Down: 39 knots Takeoff Distance: 460 ft. Takeoff Over 50-ft. Obs.: 820 ft. Landing Distance: 875 ft. Landing Over 50-ft. Obs.: 1,750 ft.…

1. Understand your skill set. 2. Understand the airplane’s capabilities. “If you don’t have both of these in check you’re going to put yourself in a situation that you might not recover from.” 3. Know how to manage your airplane in extreme conditions. “Being 10, 15 feet [altitude] with a tree off your right wingtip is not uncommon when you’re in a tight bowl trying to come in on a base to final.” 4. Study weather conditions closely. “Weather conditions [change] within minutes.” 5. Know how your airplane performs with increased density altitudes. “Density altitude is not as respected as it should be.”…

THE AIR AMBULANCE Beech King Air C90A was flying between two Hawaiian islands to pick up a patient. It was a dark night, but otherwise the islands enjoyed the good VFR weather we picture for a tropical oasis. They were descending from cruise altitude to 8,000 feet with a clearance to fly direct to navigation fix TAMMI. “N13GZ verify going direct TAMMI?” “13GZ is off navigation here…we’re gonna…we’re gonna give it a try.” Air traffic control, responding to the pilot’s odd transmission, simplified the clearance, issuing just a heading and an altitude. There was a pause on frequency. Then the pilot said: “Hang on.” After more silence, Honolulu Center gave a new heading and a lower altitude. There was no answer. ATC announced loss of transponder data. A Piper Seminole…

Just Aircraft Highlander Clarksdale, Mississippi/Injuries: None NTSB Report: CEN24LA352 The pilot reported that there was a large weather system in the area that resulted in gusting wind conditions. At the time of the accident, the airplane was taking off on runway 18 with winds 090 degrees at 15 knots with gusts to 20 knots. During takeoff roll in the tailwheel airplane, the tail lifted off the runway and the airplane accelerated. Before the airplane reached takeoff speed, the airplane yawed 30 degrees left due to a gust of wind. The pilot stated that he remained in control of the airplane and continued the takeoff as he climbed to 6 to 8 feet above the ground. The wind gust ceased, and the pilot lost control of the airplane as it descended…

Late last summer, Brad Damm invited me to sample the 45 Ranch as it was ramping up to accept visitors through the Jim Richmond Backcountry Aviation Foundation efforts. There was still work to be done finding sites for the camping spots, providing services for visitors, and myriad other things that have to happen to turn a private ranch into a welcoming backcountry destination. A lot of work had been completed, but there was still plenty more. What was not wanting? The runway itself. Lush green and nearly billiard-table smooth, the strip is wide and welcoming. If the winds favor landing to the north, you’ll set up your downwind just to the west of the surrounding terrain, following a notch toward the south, turning a blind base along a tributary of…

In October, we loaded up the Mooney and pointed the nose north, seeking out fall colors that only exist for a fleeting moment in Atlanta. We figured our chances to view seasonal foliage would be better in Maine, and we could knock Acadia off our bucket list of the U.S. national parks. On the way up we’d grabbed gas and lunch in Blacksburg, Virginia, and spent multiday layovers in Burlington, Vermont, and Portland, Maine. These trips far from home present interesting challenges as we explore climates and terrain features that are sharp contrasts from what we are used to. The leg from Burlington to Portland had proven itself such a contender as we took off beneath a 3,000-foot overcast layer and had to work our way south to find the…

As I sat down to write this column, I had just returned from an amazing trip to EAA AirVenture. It was 19.7 hours of single-pilot IFR spread over three days, most of it between 8,000 and 10,000 feet, dodging cumulus buildups. I experienced dense morning fog, afternoon thunderstorms, and made a timely weather divert with the help of incredibly helpful air traffic controllers. Most of my local flying where I live in North Florida occurs in the morning or early evening, well below 5,000 feet, and averages less than an hour and a half per flight. The Oshkosh trip reminded me that a full day in the air takes a toll on the human body and can have a significant impact on a pilot’s ability to make sound decisions. Charles…

Many years ago, while working my way through college pumping avgas at the local airport, I discovered that one of our university deans owned a diminutive two-seat, twin-tailed airplane—an Ercoupe. He was proud of his little bird, with its unique split sliding canopy, no rudder pedals, and a delightful art deco instrument panel. Long before he purchased his very own Boeing 707, actor John Travolta discovered this economical fun flier and began his remarkable aviation career as a proud owner. Then, a few years ago, I was privileged to hear how an amazing young woman, Jessica Cox, earned her sport pilot certificate. Born without arms, Cox flew her trusty Ercoupe using only her feet. The story of this unique airplane begins in the early 1930s with Fred Weick, an engineer…