Vic Syracuse
Vic is a fixed-wing and helicopter commercial pilot, CFII with ASMEL/ASES ratings, an A&P/IA, DAR, and EAA technical advisor and flight counselor. Passionately involved in aviation for over 40 years, he has built 11 aircraft and logged over 10,000 hours in 72 different kinds of aircraft. Vic volunteers as a Young Eagle pilot, has his own sport aviation business called Base Leg Aviation, and has written two books on aircraft prebuy and condition inspections.
Risk Tolerance
There’s only so much we can do to eliminate risk, so it becomes more about risk tolerance, which is usually different for everyone.
Leaking Brakes
Leaking brake calipers will not only deplete the brake fluid, but the fluid will be absorbed by the brake pads and adversely affect braking...
High CHTs
An RV-10 owner recently brought his airplane to the shop due to high CHTs. He also mentioned that the problems started after the panel...
Fuel Pump Overflow
The overflow connection at the engine-driven fuel pump needs to be connected to a tube that exits the cowling.
Failed Ignition System
When it comes to aircraft ignition systems, I’ve always favored having one magneto and one electronic ignition system (EIS). Many dual electronic ignitions require...
Unairworthy Engine Controls
Engine controls should be mounted properly to the engine, not the engine mount tubes, and they should be secured with the proper attachments. The...
The Best Oshkosh Ever
I know many of you following the progress of my Hummingbird helicopter are probably thinking that flying it to the show is what made...
In Case You Missed It
Van’s RV-12
In typical fashion, Vans Aircraft refused to rest on its laurels after the RV-12s prototype debut last year, and sought to improve on an already good design. The new production airplane has changed (beyond its color), with a castering nosewheel, toe brakes instead of a grip, reshaped control sticks for better clearance, ground-adjustable seats fore and aft as well as in tilt, and the list goes on. Best of all, this day/VFR machine is still a delight to fly; by Ed Kolano.
Under the Cowl
Unlike my excellent predecessors in this job, I came to the magazine editing business...
Old, New & Old Again!
We are seeing more talk of people rebuilding cores found in barns or the back of hangars.
