Falling Back On Pilotage After an Equipment Failure
Shawn Arena Hello, and welcome back to another installment of one of my ‘lessons learned’ stories from personal flying experiences over the years. This story illustrates “always have a Plan ‘B’ when Plan ‘A’ fails,” and the usefulness of learning navigation techniques like pilotage and dead reckoning. Another Breakfast Trip to Northern Arizona Like a […]
When Is a Private Pilot Ready to Fly With Family and Friends?
Dr. Mary Ann O’Grady Prior to making the decision to take family and friends flying, a new or recently licensed private pilot should carefully review the appropriate FAA Regulations under Sec. 61.113, Private pilot privileges and limitations: Pilot in command as follows: (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) through (h) of this section, no person […]
Aviation Safety: Just Fly the Plane
Welcome back to the fourth installment of one of my ‘lessons learned’ stories from personal flying experiences over the years that highlight aviation safety. This story reinforces that age-old aviation adage: “Just Fly the Plane!” Shawn Arena A Breakfast Trip to Northern Arizona This story occurs circa 1996-97. I was working as the Noise Abatement […]
5 General Aviation Aircraft Facts You Probably Didn’t Know
Anders Clark There are a vast amount of different types and models of general aviation aircraft from a variety of manufacturers. And there are a lot of interesting facts and information about these different aircraft. Here are five lesser known facts from the world of general aviation aircraft that you will hopefully find as interesting […]
How Not To Impress a Friend With Carburetor Icing
Shawn Arena Welcome back for another installment of one of my ‘lessons learned’ stories from my personal flying experiences over the years. This particular story, about carburetor icing, could have just as well been sub-titled: “How do you un-declare an emergency?” A Beautiful Flying Day with a Beautiful Friend Our story this time takes place in the […]
Protecting Your Health Is Key To a Career In Aviation
Wilson Gilliam Jr. I stood in front of a Marine Corps recruiting office in 1988. I wanted to take the aviator’s aptitude test and join the Marines as a helicopter pilot. But, after a few minutes with the Sergeant, I realized that wouldn’t happen. Between thirteen years old and eighteen, my visual acuity had decreased […]
Halley’s Comet and the Go No-Go Decision
Shawn Arena Over the years, I’ve had a lot of memorable flying experiences. And hopefully, by sharing some of the lessons I’ve learned, it will help other aviators in the future be able to make the decisions that will help them fly more safely. I hope you enjoy reading these stories! Making The Go No-Go […]
Quiz: How Do You Handle Aircraft Radio Communication Problems?
John Peltier You’re ten miles away from your home airport, inbound for landing, and you switch over to the AWOS for a weather check. Nothing. Must not be working. You get closer to the airport and dial up the control tower to inform them of your intentions. No response. After some troubleshooting, you determine that […]
Introducing Non-Aviators to the Flying Experience
Shawn Arena Experiencing the world of flight by actually sitting in the cockpit of an aircraft manipulating the flight controls is one of the most exhilarating, inspiring and surreal events an individual can encounter. And being able to share that experience with friends, family and significant others is an amazing opportunity. But sometimes, it can be […]
Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Aircraft Icing?
Dr. Mary Ann O’Grady How much do you know about aircraft icing and the conditions that cause it? Take this quiz, and see how well you do. Aircraft Icing Quiz Questions _____ ice is lighter than _____ ice, has an irregular shape and a surface roughness that reduces aerodynamic efficiency. The three negative outcomes of […]
Quiz: Do You Know These Five Aviation Acronyms?
Albert Antosca To those outside of aviation, pilots seem to have their own language, filled with acronyms, jargon, and incomprehensible terms. The more time you spend in the aviation industry, the more accustomed you become to this terminology. Do you recognize these aviation acronyms, and can you pass this quiz from memory? Questions – Aviation […]
5 Things You Probably Don’t Know About the Cessna 172 Skyhawk
Anders Clark The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is a widely flown, well-known aircraft. It’s used pretty extensively by flight schools to train student and prospective pilots and companies have even created flight simulators modeled on it. If you’ve spent time flying, chances are pretty good you’ve flown in one, or even flown one. And you’ve probably […]
