Waco sweepstakes stirs excitement
I found the January issue of AOPA Pilot particularly interesting because of the story " AOPA Centennial of Flight Sweepstakes: Win a Waco!" I took my first flying lesson in a Waco just a couple of years ago. It was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. Now you are going to give away a Waco. I really want to win that airplane!
Al Stelma AOPA 1055111
Fraser, Michigan
Prepurchase inspections save money and pain
Steven Ells' article on prepurchase inspections/surveys (" Airframe & Powerplant: Pay Me Now or Pay Me Later," January Pilot) might save some buyers a lot of anguish and financial pain. I'd like to add that often overlooked during a prepurchase inspection or annual inspection are the avionics. Unless the buyer is planning to replace the panel, radios and instrumentation can represent a significant portion of an aircraft's value. Just as with the airframe and engine, there can be ADs and service bulletins for avionics that need to be checked. Additionally, considering the average age of the fleet, the quality of the avionics installation needs to be considered. (And no, I do not work for an avionics shop.)
Tom Haueter AOPA 678452
Great Falls, Virginia
I would like to thank Steven Ells for setting the standard for the proper terminology for the prepurchase inspection. I am the president and director of maintenance for an aircraft maintenance company, and from now on I will use the phrase prepurchase survey when describing the process to my customers. I would also like to thank Ells for detailing the difference between an inspection and a survey. If more airplane owners and operators read this article, there would be a better understanding between the buyer, the seller, and the maintenance facility performing the work.
Matthew Malouf AOPA 1419352
Tarpon Springs, Florida
Revisiting favorite fields
I tremendously enjoyed reading the article about Potomac Airfield (" Waypoints: Airport Perils," January Pilot). I grew up in the 1960s and 1970s less than a mile from that field. While hunting in the adjacent woods and fishing in nearby streams, I watched the airplanes go by and dreamed of flying someday. When I finally earned my wings about five years ago, one of my first trips was back to Maryland and Potomac Airfield. What a thrill it was to fly myself over my old neighborhood on downwind.
Brian Wade AOPA 1310159
Apalachin, New York
Out of the pattern
I just wanted to send a note of congratulations on the excellent article " Out of the Pattern: Setting the Standards" (January Pilot). It says what needs to be said to many general aviation pilots in an informative, straightforward manner. I look forward to the rest of the series.
Tom O'Donnell AOPA 369452
San Mateo, California
Winter flying tips
I am writing in regard to the article in the January issue of AOPA Pilot, " Answers for Pilots: Cold Comfort." This was a very good article, and I enjoyed reading it. As we all know, winter can be a great time to fly — the weather can be smooth and the airplane performance can border on spectacular.
One winter flying tip that I did not see in this article is the use of brakes prior to flight. Years ago I learned from the old-timers at my local airport not to use the aircraft brakes to slow down the plane prior to flying. It is perfectly acceptable to use the brakes to hold the plane in position for runup, but do not use the brakes in any way that can generate heat. The reason is simple. The typical aircraft brake only has minimal space between the pads and the disk. Any water that is formed from melting ice or snow during use of the brakes can very easily end up between the pads and the disk, where it will quickly freeze after takeoff. When you land like this (with one or more brakes hopelessly locked up) you are in for a very wild ride. To make matters worse, you will have no warning that this wild ride is about to happen.
The moral of the story is to taxi around the airport, in the wintertime, using brakes only to hold position, but not to slow down. With a little practice it is very easy to do.
William Mesmer AOPA 962431
Wilson, New York
In the "Answers for Pilots" column in the January issue there's a statement about loosening the control cables in the winter that I take issue with. It's been my experience, based on hearing control cables occasionally banging on the tail cone when taxiing in winter, that exactly the opposite is true. Control cables tend to be more slack in the winter than summer because the fuselage contracts. The cables contract too, of course, but because the fuselage is generally aluminum, which has a higher coefficient of expansion (or contraction) than the steel cables, it "shortens" more than the cables do for a given temperature change.
Paul Burch AOPA 552547
Hixson, Tennessee
There have been numerous questions as a result of the article on winter flying, including some about using alcohol to clean out fuel tanks. Isopropyl alcohol can be used as a fuel additive to clean the fuel system in the fall months. Aircraft manufacturers detail the specifics on the use of isopropyl alcohol in avgas. This information may be found in your airplane's pilot operating handbook. Also refer to ASTM D 910, which has given the approval to use isopropyl alcohol in avgas, and AC 23.1521.1B, which also mentions the approval of isopropyl alcohol for use in avgas as well as auto gas.
In regard to adjusting control cables: According to the FAA's General Aviation Accident Prevention Program's topic paper Tips on Winter Flying (FAA-P-8740-24), "Because of contraction and expansion caused by temperature changes, control cables should be properly adjusted to compensate for the temperature changes encountered." This sort of maintenance should only be performed by an A&P or, if the aircraft is amateur-built, the holder of the repairman's certificate. — Brent Hart, AOPA Aviation Technical Specialist
GA security after Tampa
The apparent suicide of a Tampa, Florida, teenager who crashed a GA airplane into a downtown building in January sparked a strong response from AOPA members. Some of the letters we received regarding that incident and AOPA's reaction to it follow . — The Editors
I just this evening saw our president, Phil Boyer, representing us on Public Television's NewsHour regarding the apparent suicide of the 15-year-old in Tampa. I was so pleased to see GA represented by our levelheaded representative. I hope a silver lining will be seen in this sad incident; a small airplane did not create a major disaster, only one person died, and our GA airplanes do not threaten life as we know it. Perhaps this building strike will even deter others from emulating it.
Stephen Greenway AOPA 991080
Aspen, Colorado
After being a pilot for 35 or so years, I have sent my application to AOPA for membership. I believe that now is the time for us to support organizations that keep us flying. I saw Phil Boyer on CNN last night when he was supporting the GA position relative to the unfortunate occurrence with the young man who committed suicide in Tampa with a GA airplane. I was very impressed with the way he handled himself and supported us. Keep up the good work!
Glyn Russell AOPA 2530159
Hartselle, Alabama
My name is Adam and first off I would like to let you all know how much I enjoy your magazine. AOPA in general is great and I really appreciate all of what you men and women do to protect GA.
I am writing to you because I happen to be 15 years old. I have been saving for three years to become a pilot, and I finally have enough money to start lessons. Unfortunately the attacks of September 11 and the most recent attack by the 15-year-old student pilot who crashed into the high-rise in Tampa are making it very difficult.
I fear that teen pilots will be prohibited from flying or that more security will be put in place only to raise the cost of flying. If the price of flying goes up much more, I won't be able to keep up.
Adam McCullough AOPA 1674726
Palo, Iowa
Much has been said regarding the student pilot crashing into an office building in Tampa. In my opinion, the message AOPA and pilots should be communicating to the public and the government is that this makes it obvious that small airplanes are not suitable instruments of mass destruction and are not as much a terrorist tool as the media is portraying. Compared to the damage done by a bomb in a rental truck in Oklahoma City, the damage in the Tampa incident was minor. If additional security is needed, maybe it should be focused on truck rentals and preventing people from stealing trucks.
I appreciate all that AOPA has done, and is doing, to represent general aviation. We need to continue to fight at every level the attempts to add restrictions and cost to flying and flight training. While unauthorized use of aircraft and suicide by airplane are nothing new to aviation, we do need to be on heightened alert. With all that has happened, certainly pilots, airport managers, and flight instructors have a new awareness of the potential problems. With these folks exercising increased vigilance, I believe that is all that is required to meet whatever perceived threat there might be. Additional mandatory requirements made by those far removed from the world of small airplanes and small airports will not enhance safety, as well meaning as they might be.
Dale P. Byrom AOPA 567758
Greenwood, Indiana
We welcome your comments. Address your letters to: Editor, AOPA Pilot , 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland 21701. Send e-mail to [email protected] . Include your full name, address, and AOPA member number on all correspondence, including e-mail. Letters will be edited for style and length.
