Knots.

Most of our aircraft measure speed in knots, also known as nautical miles per hour. As we all know, a nautical mile is 6,000 feet, as opposed to the altitude of the Mile High City (5,280').  Trivia question; what is the origin of the term "knots" as a measurement of speed?

Knots in the aircraft tiedown straps actually weaken the holding ability of the strap. Not a lot, but enough to be worth making sure the straps are straight (not twisted) and knot free.

We generally look for max warp speed when we are going from point A to point B, but when we are not in a hurry to get somewhere, consider setting your power for a lazy, best endurance airspeed. If you are one of the people building time, you are still getting an hour of flight time for each hour you fly, plus you are able save gas. A lot of gas. In a 172S, for instance, the fuel savings between max cruise speed and best economy speed is about 4.5 gallons an hour. There are many reasons to consider that, if you are not in a hurry to get somewhere. By the way, some of my favorite flights are at airspeeds slower than 90 knots indicated.

On the flip side of speed, we are associated with an exceptional charter company that just put a Cessna 414A on their certificate. Capable of carrying four to six passengers at 200 knots true, it is a great ride in pressurized, first-class comfort above most of the weather. Feel free to call for details.

The other kind of knots we experience as pilots are the ones that tie up our stomach just prior to a check ride. We all get them. Best advice I can give you is that the examiners are usually hoping you will pass your checkride every bit as much as you are. Take a deep breath every once in a while and try to relax. You will fly better, for one thing, and it never ceases to amaze me how much better we recall information when we are more relaxed.