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.”

As pilots age, they face unique challenges in maintain­ing their insurability, but with the right approach, they can continue flying.

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.

If the owner of a smart watch was a pilot, information like this could be detri­mental to their medical or career in general.

Ever own a Corvette? I owned a 1974 Convertible. Great car, fun to drive and very impractical. Fast, sleek and simple.

If you have been following the aviation market, you know the prices for aircraft have skyrocketed over the last few years.

I am one of those pilots that I tell people not to be. I am a private pilot with single engine and multi engine rat­ings.

As a follow up to my past article about “Your Ego Buying Aircraft You Can’t Get Insured,” here are some additional details.

“Flying is not inher­ently dangerous, but crashing is!” Aviation is one of those areas that has a higher risk if you are in over your head.

I was talking to a client the other day about the training requirements for a new airplane being purchased.

Aviation insurance continues to get higher priced and harder to get. In fact, it’s now one of the top three costs of owning an aircraft;

If your plane can’t fly, what happens to your insurance? Sometimes owners drop insurance until they can fly again.