Our Mooney just came out of annual and now the tachometer needle doesn't move at all during the magneto check as you switch through R, L, BOTH. The engine does stop running with the switch in OFF. I asked my my partner who manages the maintenance relationship to look into it and he contacted the...

My KI-209 VOR/LOC/GS Indicator is averaging about 7 degrees off of calibration on VOR checks. Its driven by a KX-155 and I'f like to adjust it to within tolerance. I don't have a manual for it but I know the adjustment screw is behind one of the two upper panel mounting screws (I think one is the...

I am part of a very small flying club that shares the cost and ownership of an aircraft. We've been handling the billing for flights and such for a number of years with simple versions of quickbooks and its, well, just ok at handling this. Not particularly well suited, but cheap. Unfortunately a...

Today a pilot-guest had the coolest idea for the side-entrance to our lobby: "Chasing" lights recessed in the drop-ceiling tiles, leading to the main lobby area, that look just like the "rabbit" lights that lead to the approach end of a runway! (Background: Over half of our guests come in the...

How long can an aircraft sit unused before the fuel gums up and contaminates the fuel system? For instance, if I leave a motorcycle sit too long without a fuel stabilizer added to the gas, the gas goes bad after a few months and gums up the carbs. The entire fuel system is affected after a while....

I thought you might all find this story interesting. Me, I'm 53 and have been flying since 1988 with about 1000 hrs. My partner is a CFI and we've been in a Cherokee 140 partnership for about 12 years. We have a 1974 Cherokee Cruiser, which we normally keep well maintained (!). About a week...

Well I have only been an airplane owner for a few months but so far owning is more expensive than renting. I must say that the convenience of having your own airplane to go to when ever you want is worth a few bucks. Has anyone found owning more expensive than renting? :-) Jon...

Yesterday I noticed that we had pumped more than 5000 gallons of mogas through the Mighty Grape. This represents something like 60 complete fills (our plane has four gas tanks, totaling 84 gallons), and around 350 hours of flight time over the last 2.5 years. (See:...

My two KX 170B NavComs are getting a bit tired. The tuning gears have been replaced, and after several years are now getting really stiff and hard to turn again. Apart from the mechanical parts, the radios both work just fine. I am looking at three alternatives; having them repaired again,...

As a private pilot, I make frequent use of the NWS's Aviation Digital Data Service (see 1). I especially like their "Java Tools" graphic presentations of METAR, TAF, and AIR/SIGMET data. Senate Bill S. 786 (see 2) could well kill such NWS weather presentations in favor of private sector...

A terrible tragedy happened yesterday here at my home airport and I can't get it off my mind as to "why" it happened. 3 people lost their life yesterday. The pilot was a very dear and wonderful person, 72 years young and a pilot of 24 years. "Jean" Bible was never IFR rated and only flew 30...

OK, guys... I'm making an official announcement. "Airplanes don't kill people!, people kill people!" This statement is hereby mine and none of you better use it without my concent! LOL. Monday I'm going to the T-shirt shop and ordering me 1000 units of various sizes. Let me know if anyone...

Two Scenarios: 1. Operating Costs for brand new Jet Ranger flying daily. 2. Operating Costs for Mid-time Jet Ranger flying daily. Other Considerations: 1. Typical pilot salary costs (Commercial Rotorcraft Pilot) with over 2000 hours.

After busting my ass to get it, annual it, and fix it up, yet another financial setback has forced me to offer my 1969 "fast wing" Super Yankee 150 HP conversion for sale. THIS was supposed to be the keeper! But I have put it upon Ebay for auction. Reserve price is confidential, but I will say it...

Hi everyone, I recently received a notification in the mail from MBNA. This is the bank behind the "AOPA Visa Card" -- the one prominently advertised on the AOPA website front page! MBNA is proposing ten different changes to the credit card agreement between us. Well, maybe proposing is too...

Our airport commission has talked about going around and looking in hangars to crack down on "volatile" liquids being stored within. I think mainly they're concerned about people keeping fuel for use in heaters, where there is a more likely ignition source in addition to the liquids being...

I've Googled for this and poked around other places, but there doesn't seem to be much comparison data on these two products. I've always used Champion plugs (massive electrode), but now that my plugs are fairly worn and I'm in the market again, I'm curious about opinions on the Unison Autolite...

For those of you using your plane for business... 1. What is the tax deductable rate for hourly use of aircraft (e.g. for cars it is $.36 a mile I believe)? 2. Is it better to own my aircraft personally (to prevent the aircraft being owned by the company in the event of a lawsuit) and then have...

We need a pair of used articulating front seats for our Piper Archer II. I have tried Wentworth but no luck. I would appreciate any suggestions of a supplier. Roy N5804F

We have a Cherokee 140. I want to know if anybody knows the simple and cheap trick to clean our headliner. It is actually in fine condition, but it has a LOT of brownish spotting on it, apparently caused by moisture (you know, condensation, leakage, etc. - not that OUR plane leaks!). It looks like...