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Continue reading →: The Hybrid Logbook: A Practical Record-Keeping Model for GA Pilots and OwnersTL;DR: Aviation records must survive for decades, but digital tools rarely do. The most resilient approach for a GA pilot with a single airplane is a hybrid model: keep paper as the master, scan everything important as a backup, and use a lightweight online dashboard for reminders, planning, and analysis.…
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Continue reading →: Garmin Pilot IFR Checklist for Real-World Flying: Quick Reference to the Rules You Need MostTL;DR: A controller’s reminder about “procedure turn confusion” led me to build a Garmin Pilot IFR Checklist — a compact, quick-reference list of acronyms and rules we all tend to forget once the checkride is behind us. It’s designed for in-flight reference inside Garmin Pilot, covering items like IM SAFE,…
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Continue reading →: From Builder to Owner: Understanding Aircraft Maintenance LogsTL;DR: Your airplane’s logbooks are more than paper—they’re proof. They certify your airworthiness, protect your wallet, and tell the story of your machine. Whether you fly a certified Cessna or a homebuilt Sling TSi, the same truth applies: if it’s not written, it didn’t happen. This post breaks down what…
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Continue reading →: My Sling TSi Configuration Omnibus — Every Decision in One PlaceAfter nearly a year of research, conversations, spreadsheets, and the occasional late-night rabbit hole, it’s finally time to lock everything in. As the airplane transitions into the paint phase, every configuration choice—from engine to avionics, from parachute to visors—has been (hopefully!) finalized. This post serves as a consolidated reference of…
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Continue reading →: Rotax 915iS vs 916iS: Why I Chose the New Generation for My Sling TSiTL;DR: This post compares the Rotax 915iS vs 916iS, the first and most defining decision of my Sling TSi build. The newer 916iS—nicknamed “The Impossible Engine”—delivers 19 more horsepower, a 2000-hour TBO (vs 1200 on the 915iS), and better fuel efficiency while adding only about eight pounds. Inside, it’s almost…
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Continue reading →: A Pilot-Owner’s Guide: MOGAS vs 100LL in Rotax iS Series EnginesTL;DR: Rotax’s iS-series engines were built for unleaded fuel, not 100LL. MOGAS keeps them cleaner and cheaper to maintain, but avgas is still what most U.S. airports pump. The smart move is to use MOGAS whenever possible and 100LL when you must—add Decalin, use semi-synthetic oil, and stick to 50-hour…
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Continue reading →: Three Days at Oshkosh: Lessons from the EAA Leadership AcademyWhen I first decided to build an airplane, I knew I was signing up for a technical challenge—but what I didn’t expect was finding a community that feels like aviation’s beating heart. That community is the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), a nonprofit that exists to promote and support recreational aviation.…
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Continue reading →: Working with Evoke Aircraft Design — A Builder’s Guide Airplane Paint Scheme DesignTL;DR: Designing your airplane’s paint scheme is one of the most rewarding parts of the build — and working with a professional studio like Evoke Aircraft Design brings structure, expertise, and precision to the process. In this post, I walk through how the process works, from defining a vision and…
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Continue reading →: Builder Log: Wings Completed and Empennage StartedIt’s been a week since my last visit to Torrance, and the team has been busy! The fuselage and firewall-forward areas are really starting to look like a finished airplane. There are now more oil and cooling hoses snaking their way around the Rotax 916iS, and much of the plumbing…
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Continue reading →: Garmin Pilot: Where Are the ODPs?I was planning an IFR cross-country from Paine Field (KPAE) to Ellensburg (KELN). This is a trip I’ve flown before, threading across the Cascades into central Washington, but this time I wanted to plan it in Garmin Pilot instead of ForeFlight. Why? Because I recently made the switch. And because…
Eating an elephant one bite at a time.
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