In-depth webinars and articles on avionics, systems, and flying technique.
Webinars & Presentations
Produced by Kevin for the American Bonanza Society and EAA AirVenture, drawing on his experience as a Bonanza owner, instructor, and avionics engineer.
EAA AirVentureJuly 2026
Cloudy with a Chance of Confusion: Navigating Common IFR Pitfalls
Three IFR pitfalls, each built around a real accident or incident: a solar storm that collapsed WAAS coverage and downgraded an LPV mid-approach, a CFIT out of Aspen after the obstacle departure was declined, and an Epic E1000 that followed a +V advisory glidepath 900 feet below minimums. Presented at the EAA AirVenture 2026 forums.
Thinking about going turbo, or already flying one? This webinar walks through everything that changes when you add a turbonormalizer — how to manage the engine through all phases of flight, what to watch out for at altitude, and how to handle the emergencies that are unique to turbo installations.
GPSS can make your autopilot dramatically more capable — but it only works well if you understand what's happening under the hood. This webinar explains how roll steering converters work, when to use GPSS versus NAV/APPR mode, and how to get the most out of your autopilot on everything from a cruise climb to a missed approach.
Good ground training before a session makes the flying more productive. These are worth your time.
ABS BEST Training
Bonanza/Debonair BEST — S35 through V35B, C33A, E33A/C, F33A/C, 36, A36
The ABS Bonanza Educational Safety Training program covers the unique systems,
handling characteristics, and operational considerations for your specific model.
If you own one of these airplanes, this is the ground school to start with.
Bonanza/Debonair BEST — H35 through P35, E33, F33, G33, 35-33, A33, B33, C33 Debonair
The same ABS BEST program tailored for the earlier model Bonanzas and Debonairs.
Model-specific systems and operational guidance for pilots flying the classic V-tail
and early straight-tail variants.
A four-presentation BPPP FOCUS course covering advanced IFR topics to prepare
you and your instructor for an Instrument Proficiency Check. Instructors Bruce
Williams and Tim Miller walk through the material that separates proficient
instrument pilots from those who are just current.
A structured FAA course walking through Part 91 and the AIM in preparation for
your next flight review. Good to work through before you show up — it makes the
ground portion of the review go faster and more productively.
Kevin's personal checklist for the A36 Bonanza, refined over years of flying and
instruction. Covers normal procedures, emergency procedures, and useful reference
data — formatted to fit on a kneeboard.
Important: This checklist is provided as a reference and starting
point only. It must not be used as-is for your aircraft. All items and values must
be verified against your specific aircraft's POH and any applicable AFMs or STCs
before use.
Written by Kevin and published in ABS Magazine — practical guidance from an instructor who's also an avionics engineer.
ABS MagazineDecember 2025
A Systematic Approach to an Avionics Upgrade — Part 3: A Full Panel Redesign Journey
The final installment follows a real V35A owner through eight rounds of panel design — watching how priorities shift, budgets get real, and the right installer helps turn a wish list into a cockpit that actually flies well. A good read before you commit to anything.
A Systematic Approach to an Avionics Upgrade — Part 2: Before, During, and After Installation
Most avionics projects that go sideways don't fail because of bad equipment — they fail because nobody asked the right questions at drop-off. This article covers what to do before you hand over the keys, how to check the work when you pick it up, and how to make sure everything actually works the way you expected.
A Systematic Approach to an Avionics Upgrade — Part 1: Plan Your Upgrade
Before you spend a dollar, you need to know what you're actually trying to accomplish. This first article helps you define your mission, set realistic goals, and ask the questions that will save you from making expensive decisions you'll regret later.
FTA Air Conditioning Systems: The Real Reason Your Condenser Fan Relay Keeps Failing
If you've replaced the condenser fan relay more than once, you're fixing the symptom, not the problem. This article explains exactly what's causing the failures, what to look for when you pull the connector, and how to do a permanent fix rather than just buying another relay.
High Altitude Bonanza: Turbonormalizing and the 17,000-Foot Club
Flying the high teens in a turbo Bonanza is one of the best things about owning one — but it takes some homework. This article covers power settings, CHT management, oxygen systems, and the descent planning considerations that catch pilots off guard the first time they operate above 12,500 feet regularly.
A first-person account of heading to Murray, Kentucky for a long weekend and coming home with a Multiengine Instructor rating — flying a Beechcraft D95A Travel Air alongside a fellow ABS member who knocked out his Commercial SEL and MEL at the same time.
GPSS is one of those things that seems complicated until someone explains it clearly. This article breaks down how roll steering actually works, when to use it versus NAV or APPR mode, and how to apply it on approaches and missed approaches so your autopilot does exactly what you expect.
Consistent landings come down to four things: a repeatable pattern, the right speeds on every leg, where you look in the flare, and staying on the controls all the way to the hangar. Simple in principle — this article makes them stick in practice.
Swapping out the nav and strobe lights for Whelen Orion LEDs cut total nav light draw to 0.4 amps, eliminated nearly six pounds by ditching the old strobe power supply, and ended bulb changes for good. A straightforward mod with a solid return.