Plastic Pilot

If you’re an airshow fan, you probably already heard or (or went to) the Axalp. If not, let me give you a short description. This airshow takes place in the Swiss Alps, in the region of Brienz. The site is not exaclty friendly and the spectators have to walk for one an a half hours in the Alps to reach it…

Spectators are installed on top a ridge, and can see the targets. Yes, targets. Not only the army displays flying aircrafts, but the program also includes air-ground shootings. Want more ? As the planes come along a valley, the spectators can see them flying by at same level.

After the shootings, the pilots dive behind the ridge where the targets are located. You can find spectacular pictures by googling “Axalp” for pictures. But there is something you won’t find that easily: a view of the targets… from the air.

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As a pilot, the challenging part in maintaining a proper level of theoretical knowledge is to find support material that is not too boring. Sorry, not too academical. The “Principles of Flight” - the posh name for aerodynamics - is not the most easiest topic, but the webiste I found for you will make it easier.

The Aeronautics Learning Laboratory for Science Technology and Research (ALLSTAR) website makes principles of flight understandable to various levels, from junior high-school to lower college. This should be sufficient for pilots.

I like this site because it’s richly illustrated, with also a couple of animations and videos, but it also proposes several experiments that anyone can do at home (some under supervision of an adult…). It addresses all the usual stuff: Bernouilli, Newton, the four forces, axis, control surfaces, …

The first levels are made of simple explanations, but the higher ones goes down to the equations, modelisation, and there is often an airfoil simulator for download.

This website also includes sections on aircraft propulsion, from propeller to turbofan engines. The advanced sections describes what aircraft performance is, how values from the POH / AFM are defined. This is well beyond the standard PPL syllabus, but some additional knowledge won’t ruin your flying skills.

There is only one risk with this website: it’s terribly time consuming ! I hope you’ll enjoy it as I do. If you want further theory refresh tips, check the two following posts:

Meteorology and radio-navigation

US Theory Refresher for JAA pilots (and others)

When evaluating the value of an aircraft, one of the key factor is the TBO: Time Between Overhauls. Engine and propeller manufacturers define maximum time-in-service. The closer the engine / propeller is to this maximum age, the lower the plane value. This is rather logical, as the new owner will have to replace them sooner as if the time in service was lower.

This TBO story could be simple, but rules (both FAA and JAA) gives some flexibility to private owners and operators. As this includes all non-commercial operations, flying clubs can rent aircrafts which fly beyond their engine’s TBO. This is the open door to an interesting debate: on time maintenance vs. on condition maintenance.

On one side, the “on time maintenance” clan. Engine reaches its overhaul time ? Replace it by a new one. Dot. There is a reason why manufacturers define a limit, isn’t it ?

On the other side, the “on condition maintenance” clan. Basic rule: why replace an engine that runs well ? Obviously, “runs well” do not simply means starts and operates well. A serious “on condition maintenance” policy it typically based on things like:

• How the engine has been operated
• What kind of maintenance has already been done
• Oil and oil filter inspection
• Compression reports
• Spark plugs inspection

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