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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.
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?

Everyday Test Flying

LeRoy Cook - 1
Advice on the Routine Test Flight.

Natural Pilots

LeRoy Cook - 2
Do 'Born Pilots' Exist?
propeller on an rv-8

2025 Propeller Buyer’s Guide

LeRoy Cook - 0
Explore certified and Experimental propeller options to maximize performance, customization, and satisfaction for your aircraft build.
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In Case You Missed It

Around the Patch

Marc Cook - 0
Editor-in-Chief Marc Cook discusses the magazines new approach to the Alternative Engines Buyer's Guide and the blowback from his commentary about these engines in the May issue.

Ask the DAR

Mel Asberry - 0
Private pilots flying LSAs, aircraft registration, prop strikes, E/AB to ELSA, N-number location.

Home Shop Heat Treating

Bob Hadley - 0
Picking up from last month, the spline broaching tools have been machined. We need...

Going Overboard

Tom Wilson - 3
Have you ever lost anything out of an airplane? Gravity being omnipresent—and apparently increasing...
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