Flying my private aircraft since I was in the Marines in my twenties, I occasionally write reports of these experiences.

The Angle of Attack project:
Beginning in the Spring of 2010, we have now completed a full evaluation of the Alpha Systems Angle of Attack Stall Warning Legacy Display. See the formal Test Flight Plan and review our resulting Test Flights that proved that it works well. I am sure you'll want to hear from pilots who know and fly Angle of Attack systems, and review the reasons we ought to think about adding a simple and affordable Early Warning of Stall display, one based on AOA sensing. This device will save a lot of lives. If you are an aviator, please take a few minutes to look at this section and our collection of recently published articles on the subject. (Relax. I'm not selling anything; I have NO financial interest in these products). Finally, a few thoughts on how to fly these displays in our light aircraft and a list of Flight Schools that are now teaching AoA in AoA-equipped aircraft.

HUGELY IMPORTANT! ... RECENT NEWS! ... In its extraordinarily helpful December 2011 FAA clarification letter, the FAA Small Aircraft Directorate explains that installation is a "minor alteration" on the vast majority of light general aviation aircraft.

This is a Big Deal. "Well Done!" to the FAA! My thanks to the great engineers and the leaders at the FAA Small Aircraft Directorate.

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Which is Better? Compare XM WX and WSI WX at the same point, same view, same time...on two identical MFD displays.

A major learning experience late in my flying career,
"The Education of a Pilot:"
Part One: A Journey of Discovery
Part Two: Another Pilot "Sees the Light"
Part Three: A Simpler Way to run Lean Of Peak EGT

An Engine Failure on Takeoff in a Baron

Advanced Baron Seminar - Simcom/ORLANDO

Aircraft:
"BLUE BIRD" - A rare and beautiful 1940 Waco ZPF-7 biplane.
She's a lovely lady; see a cool PBS show about a few of her pals.

"STUDLY" -- The King Air Blackhawk 90XP

The Beech Colemill President II Baron we formerly operated
A review of the Baron's (and King Air's) Avidyne EX 500 Multifunction Display
.... and Features that I wish it had. ... and the newer
EX600 MFD --They did it! SLEW and ZOOM to see detailed WX. Terrific. Here's the latest EX600 (Jan/2010).

Going Paperless in the Cockpit! - using Jepp Charts on the EX600 and on a SolidFX tablet.
Here's how I fly paperless: passing on a few tips that were freely shared with me.

ANGEL FLIGHTS are a truly special privilege for those of us who fly these missions. Here's a typical story:
An austistic patient traveling alone - From Ohio to DC
And another: Katrina - Morgan and Matthew

LEARNING to LOOK, Learning to SEE. Here's a really great illustration of what I was taught about scanning outside the cockpit when I went through initial flight training back in the '60s. We were told to scan the horizon for a short distance, stop momentarily, and repeat the process. It was emphasized repeatedly: to not fix our gaze for more than a couple of seconds on any single object, to "keep our eyes moving and our head on a swivel because this was the best way to survive --- not only in combat --- but from peacetime hazards (like a midair collision) as well. Or! ... when looking for a tailing fish on the saltwater flats. We had to take the advice on faith because the technology to demonstrate it didn't exist at that time. Now, it does. Pretty cool.

Silliness (you gotta keep a sense of humor):
Aviation Foolishnesh

Travel Reports as webpages and more Travel Images (all are QuickTime movies):
Many of these images were taken from the aircraft.