Recent content by James Hines

It is my understanding that an airport which has been assessed by the FAA for an instrument approach will also be checked for an ODP/diverse-departure. The Obstacle Clearance Surface (OCS) or 40:1 ratio applies if no ODP or SID are assigned, yet there is an IAP assigned. Based on that I am...

Thank you, all.

Is there a legal (regs) distance from the FAF that ATC are supposed to have you established on an approach? I've read about 'the gate' but am not sure where it actually resides. Any information would be gratefully received. I've had a few instances recently where ATC have vectored me...

I'll get back to you on that!

IFD540 has an option to select the NDB approach for the RWY. No NDB receiver just done by overlay, so to speak.

No Sir, I'm in the U.S. I wanted to shoot one today for 'fun'.

My question was actually if you need to time. You are allowed to use GPS to fly a NDB approach if it has a GPS overlay.

Looking for advise on flying an approach. My IFR navigator (IDF540) has the ability to fly NDBs. It has the MAP as a GPS fix. Do you legally need to time it or can you use the fix to know when to go missed.

I have a free subscription to Jepp charts in foreflight. I'm not a fan of the chart and would like to remove them from my iPad but when I do they always come back when I pack. Is there a way to remove them completely? And yes, I won't be renewing that subscription this year! TIA.

I've heard it from quite a few A&Ps and IA that there are many reasons. One is oil viscosity decreases and therefore you can expect lower oil pressure. Another is that the engine (and its metals) expand as they heat. Doing this slowly is better (wear-wise) than not. Either way, I'm more...

I believe I am helping by waiting. My airport is hardly level and in order to taxi I often need to go above 1500rpm to get up hills. Without a good temp in the oil I don't like to go that high. First thing I do after start is lean. always have done.

I have a Bonanza with a IO-520. If you do your run up leaned out do you notice that the RPM drop is greater/less then say the 100 or so specified?

In addition to following the POH is there anything else one can do in order to ensure you take a good engine to the sky? For example, when I do a mag check I look on my engine analyzer to ensure I get a rise in all EGTs when I run on one mag. I also will not taxi the aircraft until I have...

I have an airplane that is not airworthy at the moment and I am slowly working on having some major upgrades done on it. In the meantime I would like to keep the engine 'turning over' and would like any advice in the best way to do this without causing any damage. I assume that so long as...

I'm new to the whole airplane ownership club and so I have a simple question: Generally speaking where do mechanics prefer to do annuals? In your hanger or theirs? I assume they prefer it being at their hanger due to tools and parts, etc? TIA!