I came up with a simple twelve-step program for pilot excel­lence. I figure if a pilot can follow the steps of this program to become a professional pilot, their individual flying costs might be reduced. If I follow the guidelines to become a professional pilot, flying should be a more efficient and enjoyable experience. Efficiency usually saves on the bottom line. If a pilot followed the same path, their cost in aviation could be reduced. Regular maintenance on aircraft could reduce failures from neglect and in turn reduce the number of insurance claims as a result. Re­current training could do the same.

Discover the challenges and rewards of flying tailwheel aircraft, plus key insurance considerations for student, low-time, and experienced pilots making the transition to conventional-gear airplanes.

Are twin-engine aircraft really safer than singles? Explore the true costs, training demands, insurance challenges, and safety realities of owning and flying a multi-engine airplane.

What does it take to fly off-road? Nothing more than an air­craft that is capable and a place to land and take off. Oh, and maybe a bit of piloting skill. Oh, and another thing, practice. The worst thing I can imagine is taking your plane and trying to land off-road, with no idea whether you or the plane can do it. That’s because many off-road airplane owners never go off-road.

In the overall claims process the first thing the claims depart­ment recommends (after pilot and passenger safety) is to secure the aircraft. This means making sure that it is out of the way, locked up or tied down (if possible). Don’t be surprised if it’s not always possible to do this right away. Sometimes this happens the next day, or by a friend, or the local FBO.

As I have said before, I like going to aviation events. I used to go to a lot more events around the country. Years ago, there were small regional fly-ins in Texas, Arizona, Cali­fornia, Washington, and more.

When you live in the upper Midwest you start thinking about those things that need to get done before the ice and snow arrive.

Many pilots swap wheels for skis on the family Super Cub to enjoy frozen-lake landings—usually great fun, but sometimes ending badly.

The sports pilot certificate provided an opportunity for pilots to get a license for daytime flying with one passenger in light aircraft

To answer what you might be think­ing, yes, we have had mid-air collisions between aircraft. Some serious and a couple without fatalities.

It is important to remember that even if you don’t own the aircraft completely, or at all, you still have responsibility.

Not surprisingly, airports are increas­ing the insurance requirements of pilots who hangar their planes at their location.

By Scott “Sky” Smith Recently we’ve had several people wanting to talk about partnerships, flying...

Unless I know the pilot well (or I have their money in hand) I don’t let them fly my aircraft. This is my choice.

Single-engine prices have been increasing since 2017. The prices for average light, single-engine aircraft have gone up almost 75-80 percent.

I think most pilots have a regular routine. It is kind of instilled in pilots during their training that things we do should be a “routine.”

If you are like me, a week at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh gets you all excited and motivated for a new airplane.