AVWeb Classics

AVweb's John Deakin takes aim at yet another OWT (Old Wives' Tale). While running a fuel tank dry in your recip powered plane may serve to increase your heart rate, John explains why it's not such a bad thing at all, and it is probably a really good idea for most of us. In fact, John explains why it's one of the first things you ought to do with a new plane and how it could save your life someday.

AVweb continues its coverage of EAA AirVenture 1998 ... .

AVweb continues its coverage of EAA AirVenture 1998 ... .

AVweb continues its coverage of EAA AirVenture 1998 ... .

AVweb continues its coverage of EAA AirVenture 1998 ... .

AVweb continues its coverage of EAA AirVenture 1998 ... .

AVweb continues its coverage of EAA AirVenture 1998 ... .

AVweb columnist Howard Fried raises an interesting question, why does flight training have such a substantially higher drop out rate than almost any other education endeavor? Howard, says some types of drop outs are understandable, but others beg for an explanation. Why do some complete all their training, but then never actually finish by getting their pilot's certificate? Do you know?

AVweb Columnist John Deakin writes his most shocking column yet. He's saying good things about the FAA! Well, not the whole FAA, but still, it's quite a shock to hear anyone, let alone John, compliment even a small part of the FAA. Even he admits it does "feel very strange." What's he saying that's so nice? Well, it has to do with flying some warbirds, but for the rest of the story you'll have to read John's column. Just make sure you're sitting down first.

AVweb's Howard Fried asks, why does the FAA continue to push the myth that you can get your Private Certificate with only forty hours of flight time? Isn't it about time we fessed up and were honest about this? Forty hours may have been quite adequate years ago, but wouldn't flying be better served by using a more reasonable number today, like maybe 60 hours? Howard suggests that it might just make the moribund Recreational Pilot Certificate a popular and useful rating and get more people into aviation. What a radical concept!