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Continue reading →: MOSAIC Is Here: Why It’s Great News for Aging Pilots (Like Me)Flying is one of those passions you want to hold on to for as long as possible. But the reality for many of us—especially those with a few more hours in the logbook and years on the calendar—is that medical certification can become the biggest threat to staying in the…
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Continue reading →: MOSAIC Is Here: How It Redraws the Map for General AviationTL;DR: The FAA’s MOSAIC rule isn’t just a regulatory update for Light Sport and Experimental aircraft—it’s a potential turning point for the General Aviation (GA) industry. From flight schools and aircraft manufacturers to insurance providers and weekend pilots, the ripple effects will be felt across every layer of GA. What…
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Continue reading →: MOSAIC Is Here: What Changes for E-AB OwnersTL;DR: MOSAIC brings long-awaited changes for Experimental Amateur-Built (E-AB) aircraft—legalizing compensated instruction, allowing non-builders to earn a Repairman Certificate, and clarifying commercial use boundaries. These updates significantly improve the utility, resale value, and ecosystem around E-AB aircraft. Expect ripple effects in training, maintenance, and aircraft value. The E-AB World Before…
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Continue reading →: MOSAIC Is Here: The FAA’s Long-Awaited Leap Into Modern AviationTL;DR: The FAA just issued MOSAIC—Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification—a long-overdue overhaul of how we build, fly, and think about light aircraft. It expands Light Sport Aircraft limits, opens new doors for Experimental Amateur-Built (E-AB) builders, and gives pilots more flexibility. It doesn’t fix everything, but it’s the most significant…
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Continue reading →: From Concept to Cockpit: Finalizing My Sling’s Avionics PanelTL;DR: After months of configuration decisions, I’ve officially approved the final avionics panel for my Sling TSi. Designed and built by the talented team at Midwest Panel Builders, this setup brings together modern ergonomics, crisp integration, and future-facing flexibility. Here’s a guided tour of what’s on the panel—and why I…
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Continue reading →: Blades of Glory: 3 vs. 4 on the Sling TSiTL;DR When One More Blade Makes You Think Twice Sling Aircraft recently introduced the DUC FlashBlack and TigerBlack 4-blade propellers as a factory option for the Sling TSi, marking a notable shift in the aircraft’s configuration choices. Until now, Sling builders have predominantly selected 3-blade constant-speed propellers, such as the…
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Continue reading →: Vectors for Growth: A Pilot’s Guide to IFR Checkride RecoveryIn June 2025, I passed my FAA instrument checkride. But not on the first try. That’s right—my journey to the instrument rating came with a little detour: a disapproval notice. The FAA equivalent of a red card. And while it stung, it also taught me some of the most important…
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Continue reading →: Instrument Rating, Rated: My Favorite (and Least Favorite) IFR Study ToolsI’m approaching my instrument checkride, and along the way, I’ve tried more resources than a Cirrus has cupholders. Some were game changers. Some… let’s just say I wish I could log that time under “lessons learned.” This post is my attempt to give future IFR students a clearer path—one that…
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Continue reading →: Factory Build Assist and the 51% E-AB RuleWhen I decided to build a Sling TSi, I chose to do it through the Factory Build Assist Program offered by Sling Aircraft in Torrance, California. Rather than building the aircraft entirely on my own, I’ll be working on-site alongside experienced technicians who guide and support the process. This approach…
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Continue reading →: Beating Vapor Lock: Why I’m Installing Boost Pumps in My Sling TSiVapor Lock: A Hot Topic Vapor lock isn’t the kind of thing that keeps most pilots up at night — until it happens. Imagine climbing out on a hot day, your engine humming along, when suddenly the hum turns to a hiccup. The fuel is still in the tanks, but…
Eating an elephant one bite at a time.
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