Pilot – June 2018

pilotweb.aero | Pilot June 2018 | 59

Fif ty Years of Pilot magazine

Forty years ago
Pilot editor James Gilbert did
this month’s flight test himself
and was taken by the Cessna
Hawk XP − essentially a
higher-powered C172 − as
a STOL aircraft, with more
useful load and a much better
climb, even though miles per
gallon were slightly lower
than the standard 172. Comparing the Hawk
XP to the pricier Cessna 182, he concluded
that ‘An aircraft purchase is a compromise
between what we’d like and what we might be
able to afford’ and plumps for the Hawk XP.
James mentions the Cessna’s forty-degree
flaps, and flaps in general were covered in
an article by Alan Bramson called ‘Getting
the best out of flaps’. Concisely explained
and clearly illustrated, the article is still very
relevant today, when all too many pilots put on
takeoff flap regardless of whether it will help –
or even hinder – the takeoff roll and climb. As
(mis)use of flaps continues to appear in 'Safety
Matters' reports today, perhaps we should
re-print this article. Bramson’s admonition to
all pilots is to read the owner’s manual for the
final say on the subject.
The ‘Letter from America’ focused on the
propensity of new US pilots to imitate ground-

based CB-loving truckers,

resulting in previously-

reticent-on-the-radio students

flooding the frequencies with

‘10-4s’, ‘good-buddys’ and

‘come-backs’. The Letter

also talked of the launch of

the Piper Tomahawk to

rave reviews, including from

the writer. Interestingly,

the T-tail is billed as the star of the show and

the Letter commends then Piper President J

Lynn Helms for not only flying the Tomahawk

but for spinning it, including inverted spinning.

Given the Tomahawk’s soon-earned reputation

for difficult recovery from such antics, he was

perhaps a lucky man.

C150 pilot Debbie Bragg has the great good

fortune to go on a practice bombing run in a

Jaguar and reports that she found it easier to

roll than her usual Aerobat mount, although it

took a while to become used to the g forces!

The other flight test is on the first British-

registered pressurised Beech Baron 58P,

owned by Roger Whittaker (of folk-singing

and whistling fame), and performed by Alan

Bramson. He is impressed by the fact that it

is cleared for flight into known icing and fully

equipped for it but bemoans the bulky and

cumbersome throw over yoke arrangement.

Thirty years ago
Recently resurfaced ‘Letter
from France‘ contributor
Bernard Chabbert describes
his quest to buy an aeroplane
of his very own, and the mental
aerobatics and arithmetic
involved in the decision. After
considering all-comers from
a Spitfire (in his dreams) to a
second-hand Regent, he and his
wife fall for a Cozy – essentially
a three-seat Long-EZ. The snag?
He has to build it himself! But
joining forces with others makes
him feel more comfortable and
likely to finish the project more
quickly (unlike Currie Super
Wot homebuilder Nick Bloom,
featured elsewhere in this 2018
issue, who wants to take his
time). Bernard calls it his ‘private
adventure in aviation’.

Another aviation adventure is

described in the article on the

ever-popular Pitts Special,

penned by editor James Gilbert

and continuing contributing

editor Mike Jerram. Designed

by Curtis H Pitts in 1942, the

original model first flew in 1945

and, although lightweight, the

55hp engine was quickly changed

for a 90hp one with a homebuilt

inverted fuel system. Introduced

to the UK by US aerobatic pilot

Betty Skelton, the Pitts became

the aerobatic competition mount

of choice and is still popular with

both competitors (who can’t

afford Extras or Edges) and

weekend aerobatics aficionados.

By 1978, Pilot had introduced

a feature called ‘I learned

about flying from that’ –

sound familiar? Being allocated

a Cherokee 140 instead of the

expected 180, and neglecting

to do a weight and balance

calculation, the confessing pilot-

author, with his three passengers

and full fuel, was lucky both to

get off the ground and, later,

safely back on again. The fewer

passengers/full fuel or more

passengers/less fuel conundrum

is still familiar today.

Flying commercially around

Scotland’s highlands and

islands was likened to the

closest you would get to bush

flying in Britain. Loganair

continues to offer this invaluable

service, linking familiar-sounding

locations such as South Uist,

Inverness, Stornaway, Skye and

even the beach at Barra, then

using Twin Otter aircraft.

Alan Bramson contributed

‘Helpful hints on engine

handling’ to prolong engine

life and achieve best power – or

best economy. Simple tips like

allowing the engine to warm up

for a few minutes longer on a

cold day and avoiding the use of

carb heat on the ground except

during power checks continue to

be relevant to those wishing to

avoid costly unnecessary engine

maintenance. Less inspiring

was the flight text feature on

the Porsche-Mooney PFM,

featuring the car-maker’s entry

to aero engine manufacture.

Significantly more expensive

and heavier, thus reducing

performance, the Porsche

engine was not a success and

probably was a factor in the

resignation after just seven years

as chairman of Porsche AG of the

man behind the engine.