Why You Should Not Skip Aircraft Engine Pre-Heating Just Because Other Pilots Do Proper aircraft engine pre-heating begins with understanding what you are actually trying to achieve. You are not simply warming the oil or making the engine easier to start. You are preparing a cold-soaked mechanical assembly, made from different materials with temperature-dependent clearances, […]
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Aircraft Reliability Is an Ownership-System Outcome Cancelled flights, diversions, missed appointments, unplanned layovers, and the quiet dread of wondering whether the aircraft will be ready when you need it. Aircraft reliability is not only a maintenance issue. It is shaped by the way the aircraft is selected, equipped, stored, operated, monitored, and maintained over time.
Does the Way You Own and Operate Your Aircraft Affect Its Reliability? Read More »
Why Intelligent Pilot-Owners Often Chase Symptoms Instead of Root Causes. A while ago, I gave a workshop for a local flight club on the ownership and operation of Continental- and Lycoming-powered aircraft. During the workshop, we discussed an issue with one of their aircraft. They reported an elevated oil temperature that had been increasing
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Regulation may explain part of aviation’s slow progress. But the deeper reason many aircraft owners are still flying decades-old technology lies in a business problem first identified by Clayton M. Christensen. Industries’ outsiders often believe aviation represents the pinnacle of technology and innovation. At first glance, that assumption makes sense. Aircraft use high-quality materials, operate
Your Engine Probably Gave You Warning Signs. You Just Didn’t Notice Them. Most aircraft engine problems don’t appear out of nowhere. In many cases, the warning signs are there weeks, months, or even years before the issue becomes serious. The problem is that most aircraft owners never see them. Take exhaust valve failures
Active Aircraft Ownership Is Not About Distrusting the Aviation Ecosystem. It’s About Understanding Its Limitations. Many aircraft owners and pilots make the same mistake: they outsource their thinking when it comes to aircraft ownership and operation. I did the same when I started as Head of Flight Operations. At the time, it seemed like
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Stop Adding Fuel for Safety. It’s Quietly Damaging Your Engine, Your Wallet, and Your Passengers’ Safety. Most pilot-owners are taught a simple rule: “When in doubt, go a bit richer.” On Continental and Lycoming engines, that habit is one of the fastest ways to create fouled plugs, unnecessary carbon and lead build-up, and expensive
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Aircraft Ownership Can Be Rewarding. But It Comes With Risks. Aircraft ownership can be one of the most rewarding things you can do. It is particularly fulfilling to share general aviation with family, friends, and partners. Aircraft ownership opens opportunities that are out of reach for most people. Only a few get to experience this
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Nobody Taught You How to Own and Operate Your Aircraft Like an Asset. Aircraft ownership can be surprisingly complicated for aspiring and seasoned pilots alike. The reasons are multi-layered and relate to the industry’s level of technology and the individual incentives of the different stakeholders involved. Aircraft ownership is not as streamlined as owning
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Is Aircraft Ownership Worth It? As Always, It Depends. Aircraft ownership can be a gateway to freedom, fun, and flexibility. But it can also become a source of stress and burden. So is owning an aircraft really worth it? For many, it is. But only under the right conditions. Aircraft ownership can amplify how
Is Owning an Aircraft Really Worth It? A Realistic Perspective for Pilot-Owners Read More »
