Cessna 172

aeronautical decision making alternator failure aviation history aviation records Bob Timm checkride preparation Cold War aviation cross-country flight cross-country planning electrical emergency emergency procedures endurance flight endurance flight record flight planning flight training John Cook Las Vegas Las Vegas aviation history Mathias Rust private pilot checkride Red Square landing Soviet air defense student pilot trim technique weight and balance

The Hangar Apr 25, 2026

Bob Timm and John Cook and the Cessna one seventy-two that stayed airborne for sixty-four days

In 1958-59, Bob Timm and John Cook kept a stock Cessna 172 airborne for 64 days, setting a record that still stands.

Taildragger

Traffic Pattern Apr 23, 2026

The alternator failure on a night cross-country and the cascade of decisions that bring you home

How to handle an alternator failure on a night cross-country, from detection through diversion and landing.

Pattern

Traffic Pattern Apr 21, 2026

Planning fuel stops on a long VFR cross-country and the math that keeps your tanks honest

Plan VFR cross-country fuel stops using real-world math, not just legal minimums, to keep safe margins on every leg.

Pattern

Traffic Pattern Apr 17, 2026

Why you should trim for airspeed, not altitude

Trim controls airspeed, not altitude—understanding this distinction transforms your flying and reduces workload.

Pattern

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