AOPA Pilot Magazine

Looks like our members are having love affairs—with their airplanes, of course. And what better way to show off your favorite magic carpet than with a photo of the pair of you together. Thanks for sending your photos—they’re great!

By Mike Ginter

It’s easy to see why pilots are attracted to remote mountain airstrips.

Seaplane pilots need a pump to remove bilge water from the floats and a paddle to maneuver near docks and obstacles. Two Maine seaplane pilots have combined the functions of those essential accessories in the Paddle Pump.

By Sue Durio

Founded in 1838, Galveston Island has been beckoning visitors for nearly two centuries. What began as a major port that opened regional trade routes and brought hundreds of thousands of immigrants ashore is now a popular Texas coastal fly-in destination for pilots looking for an easy-to-access getaway. 

By Bruce Williams.

You’ve seen the message blinking on your GPS or primary flight display as you approach a waypoint along your route: “Left to 180 degrees in 10 sec.” If the autopilot is flying, you watch as it smoothly intercepts the next segment of an airway, feeder route, or other course, usually without a second thought about the flashing number.