In 1933 the Stearman Aircraft Company’s Model 73 biplane helped save the company and brought national recognition of Wichita, Kansas, as a major provider of commercial and military aircraft. Five years after the worst economic debacle in American history had gutted Wall Street and laid waste to billions of dollars-worth of investments, personal fortunes and…
A reader recently asked me some questions about the procedure for restoring the air conditioner (AC) back into working order in a B200, following a shutdown caused by too low or too high system pressure. I came to believe that this would be a worthwhile topic for discussion, so here we go. Before I discuss…
FAA Warns About Illegal Charter Operations Recently, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) advised pilots and passengers to take caution regarding illegal charter operations, primarily those pilots soliciting flights for payment on web-based applications. Pilots and passengers are cautioned to avoid these types of situations and verify their air transportation provider is authorized by the FAA…
It’s a new decade. Such milestones tend to prompt us to stop and take a look back. For me, I’m continually impressed by the resilience of the Beechcraft King Air – all of them. Every model has its virtues, and they have stood the test of time like no other aircraft in general aviation. I…
Growing up, Joe Casey had no idea he’d own an aircraft-related company one day. It was really a fluke that he discovered aviation at all. “When I graduated from college with my non-aviation degree, I didn’t have a plan of what I was going to do,” he explains. “I decided to drive halfway to the…
While covering only 26 miles in a 1.5-hour drive, we’d seen exactly one other vehicle. The temperature hovered in the mid-90s and the reflective surface of the dry lakebed caused me to squint behind my sunglasses. I encouraged my kids to take in the scene. Here we were, miles from anywhere, together, yet alone, standing…
In the October 2019 issue of King Air, I stated there are two parts to your King Air insurance policy regarding claims. One aspect – third party liability – was covered in detail. The second aspect is physical damage that occurs to your aircraft. When your King Air is damaged, many emotions are triggered. It…
Aviation Industry Sends Letter in Opposition of Aircraft Noise Reduction Act In late December, several aviation industry groups* sent a letter to U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Peter DeFazio and Ranking Member Sam Graves, as well as Subcommittee on Aviation Chairman Rick Larsen and Ranking Member Garret Graves, to state…
Are you using ECTM? You should be. Engine Condition Trend Monitoring (ECTM) is a Pratt and Whitney-endorsed program by which PT6 Hot Section Inspection (HSI) intervals may be accomplished on an “as needed” basis instead of on an hourly basis. The first step in ECTM is recording all engine parameters when steady in cruise flight.…
Sales success of the Cessna C-34 led to three improved versions of the versatile monoplane before the winds of war forced an end to production. The year 1936 witnessed a slow return to economic stability for the United States. Times were still tough and unemployment remained high, but Americans were going back to work thanks…