How To Handle a Plane Crash as Pilot-in-Command
A plane crash involving mountains, ground or other airplanes make for a lousy end to a flight. Vern Weiss Have you ever thought about what it would be like to be Pilot-in-Command of a plane crash? Just because we don’t like to talk about them doesn’t mean they don’t happen and accidents come in all […]
How To Fly In Special Use Airspace
John Peltier Does Special Use Airspace (SUAS) scare you? If you see a Restricted Area on the chart, will you always just avoid the restricted airspace because you don’t even want to think about dealing with getting a clearance through there? Avoiding all types of Special Use Airspace because you don’t want to deal with […]
Understanding How to Fly a Commercial Plane
A vastly different world exists when transitioning from flying small planes to understanding how to fly a commercial plane. Vern Weiss You’ve been grinding away making yourself marketable to large jet companies. Until now, your sphere has been light planes weighing only a few thousand pounds. The phone rings. You’ve been selected for an upcoming […]
The Pilot’s Ability to Self-Assess Pilot Fatigue
Unsolved Issues: Part 1, Amber Berlin The FAA’s final rule on pilot fatigue places more responsibility on the pilot by making fatigue a joint responsibility between pilots and certificate holders (i.e. the employers). This stated responsibility is designed to curb the pilot’s desire to stay out too late and become overly fatigued. However, pilot fatigue […]
The Benefits of Becoming a Flight Instructor
Jennifer Roth With each stage of working towards a career as a pilot, a rewarding feeling of accomplishment is acquired. Whether it is the very first solo flight or passing the ATP check ride, each step is important as well as celebrated. Where a pilot wants to go with their future in the sky depends […]
What Are Airworthiness Directives?
Dr. Mary Ann O’Grady The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issues legally enforceable Airworthiness Directives or ADs for the purpose of correcting an unsafe condition in an aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, or appliance under 14 CFR Part 39. The FAA Aircraft Certification Service maintains 12 Aircraft Certification Offices (ACOs) within four Directorates, and each one is […]
Different Ways of Checking Your VOR Receiver
John Peltier When was the last time you checked your VOR receiver? As an IFR pilot, how often are you required to do this test? What about as a VFR pilot? Are you required to check your VOR receiver? The answer for VFR pilots is, well, no you’re not required to check your VOR receiver. […]
What Makes Us Aviation Professionals?
A Summary of Qualifications, Ethics, and Responsibility Amber R. Berlin I catch the look exchanged between the pilot and his cargo as they board their commercial flight to Los Angeles. Can we trust you? This unspoken request hangs in the air, each gaze finally broken by the crowd pressing forward to find their seats. A […]
What Are the Aircraft Annual Inspection Requirements?
Dr. Mary Ann O’Grady The aircraft annual inspection that is required by the Federal Aviation Administration is a straightforward process that is not difficult to conduct. However, difficulties can arise when the mechanic that is hired to perform the aircraft annual inspection is neither familiar with the process nor capable of keeping track of the […]
The Reasons Behind Male and Female Pilot Error
Despite the different reasons for male and female pilot error, cockpit resource management can make single-pilot flying almost as safe as in a two-pilot environment. Vern Weiss In the 1970s there was a rash of airline accidents. This was particularly startling because the accidents did not involve inexperienced flight crews but, instead, professional and highly […]
Do You Know How To Give PIREPs?
John Peltier Pilot reports (PIREPs) are an integral part of the aviation meteorological network. They’re used to assess the accuracy of weather reported by automated stations and instrumentation. Other pilots use them to make important decisions on the ground and in the air. FSS uses them to brief pilots. ATC uses PIREPs to sequence traffic […]
Flight Safety: Breaking the Chain of Events
Shawn Arena Throughout my years in aviation, I’ve encountered a variety of situations in which by making the right decision, I avoided potential and real danger. And in the name of flight safety, I’d like to share another one of those stores here. This is a story that involves a chain of events that literally […]
