From water handling and docking procedures to takeoffs and landings in varying conditions, float flying requires specialized knowledge and preparation

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.

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

I have mentioned many times before that I grew up in a “wings, wheels and water” family. My family...

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.

I like going to aviation events. Years ago, there were small regional fly-ins in Texas, Arizona, Cali­fornia, Washington, and more.

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

Recently, several people have asked about partnerships, flying clubs, and other ways to share aircraft, so I’m reviewing a few options.

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.

You can give unlimited rides if you meet FAA requirements, but you won’t get paid, and it doesn’t guarantee insurance coverage.

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.

I like new stuff. For years I told myself I bought things for the long haul. It didn’t matter if it was a car, boat or aircraft.