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LeRoy Cook

LeRoy Cook
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Contributing Editor LeRoy Cook is an experienced journalist with writing credits in just about every aviation publication that counts. He brings a wealth of knowledge and perspective to his flight reviews.
[Credit: LeRoy Cook]

The Safety Triangle: Balancing Skill, Knowledge, and Judgment in Flying

LeRoy Cook - 0
In the course of giving flying safety lectures before pilot groups, one of my key props has been an assembly of three lengths of...
A CFI talks a pilot through the checklist — a step toward scraping off years of rust and getting back into the air. [Credit: LeRoy Cook]

Returning to Flying

LeRoy Cook - 0
"I haven’t flown for quite a while," starts the conversation. “I was wondering if you could brush me up a bit and get me...
After nearly 75 years, the basic Tailwind design remains sound. [Credit: LeRoy Cook]

The Wittman Tailwind

LeRoy Cook - 0
Still viable in an age of uber-expensive composite homebuilts, the Wittman Tailwind continues to attract builders seeking maximum performance on minimum cost. Plans for...
Ten hours of dual instruction in a tailwheel-equipped aircraft is usually required for proficiency. [Credit: AdobeStock]

Learning How to Drag Your Tail

LeRoy Cook - 3
“I want you to work on a taildragger checkout with me; can we get started this afternoon?” I get that a lot. Pilots see...
The alternative to bending down as the propeller is pulled through the compression stroke is to keep the back straight and bend the knees slightly, stepping away in a crouch. [Credit: LeRoy Cook]

Manual Starting Methods

LeRoy Cook - 1
Practical techniques for hand-propping and other manual engine starts when an electric starter isn't available.
[Credit: AdobeStock]

Instructional Inflexibility

LeRoy Cook - 1
Flight Instructors tend to be the least flexible of all pilots.
The fixed-gear twin Cessna 336 almost sunk the design type. Only 195 were sold. Cessna upgraded it to retractable in 1965.

Forgotten Flops

LeRoy Cook - 2
Many proposed, prototype, and production airplanes died at birth in aviation's golden age.
[Credit: LeRoy Cook]

Logging Time

LeRoy Cook - 2
Recording flight time in a proper form is a time-honored ritual in aviation.
[Credit: LeRoy Cook]

The Wild Traveler

LeRoy Cook - 6
A blend of Cessna, Piper, and homebuilt.

A Little Snow

LeRoy Cook - 0
There's Snow-how much can you handle?
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In Case You Missed It

Ground Control

Stein Bruch - 0
Don't let grounding problems short-circuit your avionics systems.

Spin Class

Bob Hadley - 0
Spin class.

Alternative Engines and the Cult of Personality

Kitplanes - 0
Marc Cook digs into the challenging world of automotive conversions, reporting on the converts who learned how to build these engines at the West Coast Corvair College.

Ask the DAR

Mel Asberry - 0
When can an ELSA be used commercially? Can an E/AB aircraft be certificated without a transponder?
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