Dave Hirschman

The five-blade propeller digs into the salt air as it yanks the Piper M700 Fury forward. I hold the brakes in a short-lived effort to keep the airplane stationary on Runway 30L at Florida’s Vero Beach Regional Airport (VRB).

This takeoff is over in about three seconds and five airplane lengths.

Aviation’s witty truisms encapsulate pilot wisdom, tribal knowledge, and culture like nothing else.

Mark “Ziggy” Ziegler holds the Super Petrel one foot off the surface of the tea-colored Florida lake for several seconds before the carbon fiber hull skims the wave tops. Then he pulls the throttle lever to idle and lets the light sport amphibian settle into the fresh water.

Aviation’s witty truisms encapsulate pilot wisdom, tribal knowledge, and culture like nothing else.

Dynon Avionics has added a one-button feature that automates an emergency glide to the nearest suitable airport at the most efficient speed.

In this era of evermore powerful computers and lifelike graphics, it’s rare to be astounded by any new analytical tool. The first time you log into FlySto.net and upload your aviation data, however, expect to be amazed. I was stunned by the quantity and variety of flight information your glass-panel avionics collect as well as FlySto’s accurate presentation and instant analysis of it.

Flying at night presents additional challenges for pilots, but also rewards.

Getting checked out in a new aircraft is a rite of passage usually driven by insurance companies, not aviation regulations.

Game Composites is building a single-engine firebomber that its designer says will carry more and fly farther and faster than any other aircraft in its category.