Hey Mom,

Would it be stupid of me to ask what the difference is between turbocharged and supercharged?

Thanks,

Normally Aspirated But Curious

Let’s start simple. Both superchargers and turbochargers are forced induction systems. Induction just means the method by which we get air and fuel into the engine. After the fuel and air are mixed in the proper...

Hi Mom,

I'm a private pilot, an old one who over the years has forgotten most of the things I'm supposed to know about why I do what I do. I use right rudder in left turning climbs because I'm supposed to, because it keeps the ball closer to centered, and because it keeps flight instructors from yelling at me so much on flight reviews. I know there's some...

Hi Sky Mom,

I was told a long time ago that tornadoes always miss cities, and especially always miss the really big ones, something about how the pressure is different near large buildings which is why the tornadoes always hit trailer parks or suburbs or open farmland instead. This year this obviously hasn't held true. There were horrible tornadoes in Joplin and Birmingham already...

Hi Sky Mom,

The government is really close to a possible shutdown, although I don’t think they’ll actually do it.. The last time this happened, I was too young to understand what would stop working and what wouldn’t, and anyway, there are some new things in the government since then anyhow like the TSA. I wondered if you would address how a US government shutdown would...

Hi Mom,

About the hole in the Southwest plane-was anybody in danger of being sucked out? Why weren’t they? It’s happened before.

Thanks,

Flying the Airlines Can Really Suck Sometimes

Rather a high pressure question you ask, my friend.

As you’ve all probably read by now, one of Southwest Airlines’ 737s was cruising at 36,000 feet...

Hey Mom,

High wing or low wing planes are better? Which one is best to learn to fly in?

Thanks,

Wing Ding

Hello, Wing Ding,

This is an age old debate. The truth? There are advantages and disadvantages to each, but either one is perfectly fine for your initial flight training. The guys and gals who learned to fly in high wings will go to their graves...