Table of contents for November 2015 in Plane & Pilot

Air Classics Tablet Bag For Electronics And Paperwork ASA’s AirClassics Tablet Bag is perfect for aviators who need to carry electronic devices as well as paperwork. The padded back compartment fits any tablet or a 13-inch laptop computer. The main compartment has room for a headset, and two smaller inside pockets keep accessories organized. The front pocket interior organizer contains a lanyard for keys, and pockets for a logbook, flight computer, radio, GPS unit, flashlight and electronic accessories. Made of durable 600D polyester, this bag comes with an adjustable, padded comfort shoulder strap. All interior compartments have a contrasting-color lining making it easy to find items inside. The bag measures 11.5x15x5 inches. Visit asa2fly.com. New CO2 Monitor from Sporty’s Sporty’s Pilot Shop is pleased to offer the TOCSIN 3 Cockpit…

Modern autopilots are a huge boon to the general aviation pilot. They make long legs less tiring and greatly ease the workload when flying on instruments. Many instructors consider a working autopilot practically mandatory for single-pilot instrument work, especially in technically advanced aircraft with glass-panel displays. And, as with other avionics, autopilots have gotten more sophisticated over the years. The latest digital models are more reliable than old analog units, and they offer sophisticated features like flight level change and automatic glideslope capture. Unfortunately, installing and/or upgrading autopilots is among the most complex, time-consuming and expensive avionics work. Why? Because unlike other components, autopilots interface with multiple systems; depending on the installation, this may include the electrical system, flight controls, air data and even engine controls. For older piston singles,…

AIRPLANE Cirrus 2015 SR22 http://www.planeandpilotmag.com/aircraft/pilot-reports/cirrus/safety-and-performance-in-style.html Upgrades and enhance ments create a new shade of Cirrus. It’s no surprise we were eager to see what was new when Cirrus Aircraft invited us to experience a 2015 SR22 during its public debut at the Sun ’n Fun International Fly-In Expo at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport (KLAL). The Platinum scheme on the demo aircraft featured swaths of gray with sparkling, metallic-looking accents that were relatively cool to the touch despite the strong afternoon sun. COLUMN Patty Wagstaff http://www.planeandpilotmag.com/pilot-talk/let-it-roll/see-better-fl y-better.html Over the past few years, air show satr Patty Wagstastaff had become increasingly dependent on her annoying prescription glasses. A repeat of what her parents had experienced, it shouldn’t have been a surprise when her AME put, “Must wear corrective lenses,” on her medical…

Iridium GO! Mobility Mr. Lee, nice write-up in the March [2015] issue about the new Iridium GO! Must the unit be stationery for use, or can it be used by passengers in flight? Thank you. —Gary Miedema, Online Gary, great question. While the unit is designed to be a “base” station hot spot for surrounding devices, it can absolutely be moved while in use. It’s meant for boaters, hikers, etc. The key differentiator of the GO! unit is its ability to act as a hot spot for multiple devices at once. Other than that, it’s as mobile as a singular satellite phone. Thank you for writing in. —Marc C. Lee ICON Inquiry Why was there no mention or photo of the ICON docking capability at a seaplane dock? —Herman Bayerdorffer,…

Just as East Coast pilots count the Bahamas as something of an ultimate getaway, Left Coast aviators consider Alaska to be the destination of choice. There are obviously major differences between the two in that the Bahamas are blessed with warm, benign weather (most of the time), and Alaska’s meteorology can be considerably more challenging, but both are beautiful destinations, with different attractions. Another major difference is that the Bahamas lie as little as 60 miles off the Florida mainland, while Central Alaska is more like 1,000 miles north of the Lower 48 states. The first few times I flew to or from Alaska, delivering a variety of airplanes up or back, I did so by the Alaska Highway route through the Yukon. I had heard horror stories about torrential…

They call walking the “perfect exercise.” It gets your heart pumping, clears your head and fills your lungs with fresh air. Not bad, but we found a way to make it even better. Before you take your next 10,000 steps, add a little strut to your stroll. Take the Stauer Gentleman’s Walking Stick anywhere and I promise that you’ll feel like a conquering hero. Heads will turn. Doors will open. Its powers will astound you. What’s the secret? Pure class. Our Stauer Gentleman’s Walking Stick is a tip of the top hat to turn-of-the-century tradition. Today, serious collectors gladly pay thousands for rare and handcrafted sticks from the 19th century. But only Stauer can deliver a modern version of this vintage classic—that looks and feels as good as the original—for…

AT ABOUT 8:01, ROCKEFELLER WAS GIVEN A SLIGHTLY REVISED CLEARANCE THAT INCLUDED A PROVISION FOR HIM TO EXPECT CLEARANCE TO 19,000 FEET 10 MINUTES AFTER DEPARTURE. Airplane accidents are never pleasant news, but when the accident involves a high-profile individual such as the son of an assassinated U.S. president, movie star or a congressional figure, public interest in obtaining all of the details seems to run higher than had the accident involved someone like me or other comparatively non-public pilots. So it was with the accident in June of last year in which Dr. Richard Rockefeller, the 65-year-old son of billionaire banker and philanthropist David Rockefeller, was killed. Although the accident was noticed nationally, it grabbed headlines in the New York City metro area, where the Rockefellers have been prominent…

Sitting at home one recent weekend, I didn’t have an air show, but I sort of wished I were at one. I missed the action, excitement, seeing my friends, and the focus and concentration I would have while getting ready to fly. I gave this some thought and realized that if I were at an air show, I’d probably be counting the hours before I could take off and head back home. What the heck, over? When I’m sick of being home, I’m thinking of being somewhere else, but when I’m away, I’m homesick! That’s not very Zen thinking. Why can’t I “Be Here Now” according to Baba Ram Das? Not very “mindful” or “present.” After all, as the saying goes, “Wherever you go, there you are.” The whole premise…

Engine analyzers and monitors have changed how we operate our general aviation (GA) aircraft. The technology was originally used on military and airline aircraft, but advances in sensors and microchips have enabled the proliferation of these devices in our GA aircraft for little cost. The situational awareness these devices give you is amazing, giving a detailed and intimate look at what your engine is doing at any time. Research has proven that many—if not most—engine failures telegraph themselves far in advance of the failure. It’s rare that an engine just fails mechanically for no reason and without warning. In addition to an oil analysis at each oil change, which is cheap insurance when it comes to engine issues, an engine analyzer can catch problems before they become catastrophic. Conditions such…

With hundreds of people milling around me, I didn’t actually hear the engine, but I certainly felt it! It was a deliciously smooth snarl that I could actually feel in my chest. I didn’t even have to look to know what it was. A short stacked V-12, is a V-12, is a V-12. I glanced up and there, at probably 800 to 1,000 feet in a tight bank purposely circling the crowd, was a Mustang. The hairs on my arms stood up, and I glanced at those around me. What I saw amazed me more than seeing the airplane! I was the only one craning my neck to watch it. What the…? About every other Father’s Day I’m allowed to do what I want to do simply because it’s Father’s…