Evan Youngblood

Rod Machado says, “If you’ve never been scared in an airplane, you’ve never been outside the traffic pattern.” I couldn’t agree more. Flying, especially as the pilot, can be rather intimidating at times. Especially if you have passengers on-board. I just completed a trip from my home base in Marion (MWA) to Springfield, IL (SPI) for an overnight stay and a conference the next day before flying home. Two of my co-workers were my passengers for the flight.

The flight was planned months in advance. As a VFR pilot, I wasn’t about to make the flight unless I was sure the weather was going to be well above VFR minimums for both days. The time came, and clear, sunny skies were forecast for the entire trip on both days. (continue reading…)

Many pilots, myself included, are surprised to learn of the weight and balance limitations of most general aviation aircraft. Take my training airplane, a Piper Warror, it has four seats, more than enough room for baggage, and can carry 48 gallons of fuel. With it’s stingy fuel burn of six gallons per hour, you can fly over four hours with no problem at all, loaded up with four of your friends for the weekend….right? Not so fast. (continue reading…)

Although I’m not one to advocate picketing at Wal-Mart, I do believe that supporting your local community and local businesses is very important. This includes the local airport, which brings commerce unseen into many small communities.

For many around here, the “local airport” is St. Louis’ Lambert International; but it isn’t, it’s Williamson County Regional Airport, or Southern Illinois Airport, or Harrisburg-Raleigh Airport — or whatever small, possibly even unattended airport is closest to you. (continue reading…)

My fourth, and longest, training flight in the Cherokee Six was yesterday. Hopping around in the flooded areas to the south of our home base at MWA, we hopped through five airports and stopped for lunch. (continue reading…)