Frank Ayers

Palm Coast

Senior Editor at Plane & Pilot

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Articles

Aero Commander 100

1 week ago | planeandpilotmag.com | Frank Ayers

Once upon a time in a faraway land—Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, to be precise—a lone aeronautical engineer designed, constructed, and FAA certified an airplane at his own hometown airport. Long before we needed concepts like MOSAIC (Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification) to break through the bureaucratic aircraft certification process, Jack Gilberti created a viable competitor to the iconic Cessna 172.
Fly the Airplane

4 weeks ago | planeandpilotmag.com | Frank Ayers

Not surprisingly, the No. 1 cause of general aviation accidents remains loss of control (LOC). Sadly, there’s an average of about one LOC event a week. However, these preventable accidents can happen anywhere in our aviation world. The most famous of these was Air France Flight 447. It was the evening of June 1, 2009, and Flight 447, a 4-year-old Airbus 330, was serenely cruising just below the equator at FL 360. Suddenly, one of the Airbus’ three redundant pitot tubes clogged with ice crystals.
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver

1 month ago | planeandpilotmag.com | Frank Ayers

If asked to name one GA single-engine airplane that claims the roles of ultimate bushplane, STOL champion, military workhorse, movie star, arctic explorer, and even a little CIA intrigue thrown in for effect, the de Havilland Beaver comes immediately to mind. Powered by a hearty 9-cylinder, 450 hp Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp and boasting a useful load of over 2,000 pounds, this robust airplane has served with the militaries of over 35 countries.
Trust But Verify

2 months ago | planeandpilotmag.com | Frank Ayers

Autopilots, once a relatively rare piece of equipment reserved for high-end GA singles and light twins, are everywhere today. Each of the major avionics manufacturers offer a sophisticated two-axis autopilot for around $10,000, installed. In aviation speak, anything in this price range should be considered a bargain.
Nemesis NXT

2 months ago | planeandpilotmag.com | Frank Ayers

Like so many of my generation, I grew up reading about the exploits of the golden age of air racing. The 1930s produced a series of civilian race planes that outran the fastest military pursuit fighters. The Granville Brothers Gee Bee R-1, Travel Air Mystery Ship, Supermarine S6, and, of course, Howard Hughes’ legendary H-1 set speed and distance records, pushing the boundaries of speed to nearly 400 mph. However, the technical advances during World War II changed all that.
Buying Your First Airplane

Mar 23, 2025 | planeandpilotmag.com | Frank Ayers

I am willing to wager that every pilot has at one time or another asked themselves the big question: “Should I own my own airplane?”This is a complex decision often involving the collaboration of a spouse or significant other, flying partner, and, of course, a banker. And the inflation of the last few years has not made it any easier. However, to prove that all is not lost for the prospective airplane buyer, let’s look at the statistics.
This Incredible Plane: Transavia PL-12 Airtruk

Mar 7, 2025 | planeandpilotmag.com | Frank Ayers

The other night I was streaming Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome and marveled at the way the movie’s special effects professionals took a host of relatively normal trucks and four-wheel-drive vehicles and made them all look like they came right out of a dystopian future. Then suddenly, out of the sky, swooped a most bizarre-looking flying machine. It was short, stubby, very tall, and had two wings and two tails.
Arriving in Style

Feb 28, 2025 | planeandpilotmag.com | Frank Ayers

We often hear that the key to a great landing is an equally great approach. And let’s face it, the key to that flawless approach is often a well-planned descent. Like so many things in aviation, the preparation for that silky-smooth touchdown often starts miles from the airport while still at our cruise altitude. In the airline world, descent planning and execution receives a lot of attention.
The Ercoupe

Jan 12, 2025 | planeandpilotmag.com | Frank Ayers

Many years ago, while working my way through college pumping avgas at the local airport, I discovered that one of our university deans owned a diminutive two-seat, twin-tailed airplane—an Ercoupe. He was proud of his little bird, with its unique split sliding canopy, no rudder pedals, and a delightful art deco instrument panel. Long before he purchased his very own Boeing 707, actor John Travolta discovered this economical fun flier and began his remarkable aviation career as a proud owner.
Taking Care of the Human Element

Jan 10, 2025 | planeandpilotmag.com | Frank Ayers

As I sat down to write this column, I had just returned from an amazing trip to EAA AirVenture. It was 19.7 hours of single-pilot IFR spread over three days, most of it between 8,000 and 10,000 feet, dodging cumulus buildups. I experienced dense morning fog, afternoon thunderstorms, and made a timely weather divert with the help of incredibly helpful air traffic controllers.