Monthly Archives: September 2011

Pilots Buy Dreams, but Not Airplanes

Posted on September 28, 2011 by Mac

Human economic behavior is perverse. We buy expensive items such as houses and stocks when prices are high, but sell them, or don’t buy, when prices go down. And we spend millions on dream airplanes, but when an airplane becomes … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft, Industry & Government, Mac Clellan's Left Seat Blog | 49 Comments

Why the Trim Tab on a Racer Matters So Much

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Mac

Video and still photos clearly show the trim tab on Jimmy Leeward’s modified P-51 air racer Galloping Ghost breaking off before the tragic crash sequence began at the Reno Air Races last week. Reliable eyewitnesses also saw the trim tab … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft, Mac Clellan's Left Seat Blog, Safety | 84 Comments

We Must Meet FAA Safety Targets

Posted on September 14, 2011 by Mac

The eternal frustration for anyone who has studied general aviation safety statistics is the complete lack of reliable data on exposure. We know with reasonable accuracy how many accidents occur each year, and we know with even better certainty how … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft, Airmanship, EAA, Industry & Government, Safety | 31 Comments

Learning to Fly IFR First

Posted on September 8, 2011 by Mac

Whenever I talk to a person working on their instrument rating I tell them that learning to fly IFR will change the way they fly more than any other training or rating in their flying career. And now a rule … Continue reading →

Posted in Mac Clellan's Left Seat Blog | 17 Comments