As we close out the first quarter of 2026 and adjust our outlook for the rest of the year, with so many unknowns, it’s comforting to have the consistency of in-depth knowledge imparted by T &T’s diverse cadre of writers. This month, Grant Boyd profiles one of general aviation’s most well-known advocates. Matt McDaniel provides a deep dive into the world of Piper’s high-performance light twins from yesteryear. And Lawrence Searcy takes us along a flight that proves the importance of safety in the cockpit.
Mark Baker has been synonymous with AOPA for years. From 2013 through the end of 2024, his mission at the association included protecting our general aviation freedoms in the United States, advocating for and expanding BasicMed, lowering the cost of ADS-B regulatory adherence, and raising money for the “You Can Fly” program promoting general aviation. When asked about his next mission, he said, “I’m going to fly a lot more. [It’s] hard to believe, but I am. Actually, my number one objective is to do something I should have done when I was in my 20s—get my flight instructor certificate.”
When we think of Piper’s light four-place piston aircraft, the word speed demon doesn’t often come to mind. However, back in the 1960s and early 70s, that’s exactly what the (then) Lock Haven, PA, company was known for, especially regarding its PA-24 and PA-30 Comanche and Twin Comanche lines. The PA-24s were much less expensive than Beech’s J35 or Mooney’s M20 speedsters. Competitors to the PA-30 Twin Comanche included the more expensive and less efficient Beech Travel Air and Cessna’s 310. The Beech and Cessna were faster but vastly thirstier. Matt McDaniel details the rise and fall of Piper’s Comanches, while Wil Easterwood’s photos give us some of the most beautiful air-to-air images of the light twin.
Aviators talk a lot about proficiency. Lawrence Searcy describes the personal pitfalls he has experienced and the simple ways in which we can all avoid them.
There might be a great deal of unknowns these days, but there are also many things that don’t change much: great leaders in aviation, great airplanes, and safety in the cockpit.
