“Eye of Experience” Index

Eye of Experience#63:
Confession Time - (Articles - Feb 12, 2003)

Admit it: You've done some stupid things while flying, haven't you? We all have, and it is always better to learn from someone else's stupid mistakes than to make even more of our own. AVweb's Howard Fried has told us about a lot of things others have done wrong -- now it's time for him to confess his own.

Eye of Experience#62:
What's Wrong with Attitude Instrument Flying? - (Articles - Jan 15, 2003)

Are pilots learning the safest way to fly on instruments? Or are they missing a piece that long ago was the standard -- how to fly WITHOUT the attitude indicator? AVweb's Howard Fried has seen many students come and go, and he says partial-panel training is only part of the story.

Eye of Experience#61:
CRM - (Articles - Dec 17 2002)

Cockpit Resource Management - or Crew Resource Management - whatever youcall it, there is a place for it in the front seats of every airplane. AVweb'sHoward Fried has been in cockpits both large and small and he tells why we allneed CRM.

Eye of Experience#60:
The Natural Pilot - (Articles - Nov 14 2002)

We've all heard about or even met someone called a "natural pilot."But is any part of flying natural? The person to ask would be someone who hasseen a lot of students come and try to learn - and AVweb's Howard Fried woulddefinitely be such a person.

Eye of Experience#59:
Pass That Flight Test - (Articles - Oct 25 2002)

AVweb's Howard Fried has used several of his past columns to tell us aboutthe crazy things people have done while taking flight tests. This month in"Eye of Experience," he tells us what we should do to pass the tests.

Eye of Experience #58:
I Still Can't Believe They Did That! - (Articles - Sep 24 2002)

What do you get during 17 years as a Designated Pilot Examiner? A lot morestories than can be told in just one column! In this month's "Eye ofExperience," AVweb's Howard Fried presents more amazing stories from pilotcheckrides.

Eye of Experience#57:
General Aviation in Crisis - (Articles - Aug 29 2002)

AVweb's Howard Fried is very concerned about the future of general aviation.In this month's Eye Of Experience, he looks at the effects of post-terrorismsecurity measures and what the consequences (intended and otherwise) will be onthis great passion of ours.

Eye of Experience#56:
Fido Goes for an Airplane Ride - (Articles - Jul 31 2002)

The dog days of summer are upon us, and that means vacations. You gonna takethat pet? In an AIRPLANE? Sure you can! AVweb's Howard Fried gives advice to allpet owners on how to safely and securely transport your best friend, in thismonth's "Eye of Experience."

Eye of Experience#55:
Being Misled - (Articles - Jul 30 2002)

Everyone agrees we should promote aviation, both to recruit new pilots and toproject a positive light to non-pilots. But sometimes our good intentionsbackfire, and we forget to tell others about the more difficult or complicatedaspects of aviation. In this month's Eye of Experience, AVweb's Howard Friedshows some of the ways we can mislead others.

Eye of Experience#54:
The General Aviation Passenger - (Articles - Jun 5 2002)

As the peak flying season begins, more and more pilots will be flying withtheir families and friends, some of whom are flying in a general-aviationaircraft for the first time since September 11. AVweb's Howard Fried presentssome issues they may bring into the plane, and suggests ways to help them becomemore comfortable.

Eye of Experience#53:
Checkrides - (Articles - May 8 2002)

Checkrides - Once the busiest DPE in the Great Lakes Region, AVweb's HowardFried has taken many and given many. He reflects on the experience in the latest"Eye of Experience."

Eye of Experience#52:
The Smartass A Lesson in Inevitability - (Articles - Apr 11 2002)

What happens when a student pilot scores 80 percent on the hazardousattitudes evaluation? AVweb's Howard Fried has seen them come and go and,according to Howard, the result is inevitable.

Eye of Experience#51:
You're Lucky to Be Alive Aviation and the Media - (Articles - Mar 132002)

When aviation was in its infancy, there were banner headlines if an airplanemade its intended destination. Nowadays, the opposite is true. Just how seriousa problem does media paranoia present and what can we do about it? AVweb'sHoward Fried has some thoughts he'd like to share.

Eye of Experience#50:
Staying Out Front - (Articles - Feb 14 2002)

The math is simple. If the airplane is moving along at two or three miles perminute and the pilot's thought processes are lagging behind at about half thatpace, circumstances will overtake reasoned responses and adverse consequenceswill result. According to AVweb's Howard Fried, "staying out front" iscrucial for all pilots, no matter what equipment they're flying.

Eye of Experience#49:
Aviation Litigation The Expert Witness - (Articles - Jan 16 2002)

There are few topics that will engender a more emotional reaction amongpilots than the subject of aviation litigation. Greedy plaintiffs. Unscrupulouslawyers. Well, how about the experts who assist them? AVweb's Howard Fried hashad several occasions to serve as an aviation expert and offers his firsthandobservations in his latest column.

Eye of Experience #48:
Air Racing - (Articles - Dec 20 2001)

Air racing, like many things, used to be much simpler in the good old days- the fastest airplane won, period. Today's handicap races are more complex,as AVweb's Howard Fried recently learned first-hand.

Eye of Experience#47:
The First Flight Program - (Articles - Nov 25 2001)

Programs designed to expose youngsters to aviation and get them involved fora lifetime are extremely important to the industry's future. Some programs areprofessionally organized and well-financed. Others have fewer resources but donot lack for their students' enthusiasm or the dedication of their organizers.AVweb's Howard Fried participated in just such a program. What about you?

Eye of Experience#46:
Fun Flyin' - (Articles - Oct 28 2001)

So much is written about justifying an aircraft's use that many pilots ignorethe pure fun other kinds of aviation involve. That's especially true of soaring.AVweb's Howard Fried writes about the first time he went aloft in a glider andabout falling in love with flying "all over again."

Eye of Experience#45:
Those Nitpicking Feds - (Articles - Sep 30 2001)

Many people who work in the FAA are dedicated to aviation and to ensuring thesafest, most efficient airspace system in the world. According to AVweb's HowardFried, others in the agency, for whatever reasons, seem more interested innitpicking various things that can trip up the unwary pilot or aircraft ownerthan making a meaningful contribution. Howard tells all.

Eye of Experience#44:
Paperwork - (Articles - Sep 2 2001)

The old saying that "the job's not over until the paperwork isdone" could have originated from within the aviation industry. Some evenbelieve (they are usually FAA employees) that an aircraft can't fly without acertain amount of paper aboard. AVweb's Howard Fried takes a close look at theFAA paperwork and record-keeping requirements that apply to aircraft renters andowners alike.

Eye of Experience#43:
Recreation - (Articles - Aug 5 2001)

The general aviation industry is always looking for ways to reduce the costof flying and training as a way to encourage more people to learn to fly andkeep at it after earning a certificate. AVweb's Howard Fried says one of thebest-kept secrets in training is the Recreational Pilot certificate. Trainingfor it can help reduce costs and improve retention. Here's why.

Eye of Experience#42:
Some People (Just Don't Belong in the Air) - (Articles - Jul 8 2001)

The old saw that "anyone can learn to fly - it just takes some longerthan others" may have been true of the cadet population during World WarII, but it's not necessarily true of today's aspiring pilots. AVweb's HowardFried assaults that truism, and many students' beliefs that meeting the FAA'sminimum-time requirements is all they need to do, with the stories of threestudents he has worked with in his career.

Eye of Experience#41:
Strategies for Aircraft Ownership - (Articles - Jun 10 2001)

Thinking about entering the aircraft owner ranks? There are lots of ways toaccomplish that - sole ownership, partnership, nonprofit flying club, etc. -and at one time or another, AVweb's Howard Fried has been involved in nearly allof them. In this month's column, Howard shares some of his ownershipexperiences, both good and bad.

Eye of Experience#40:
The Pilot, ATC, and Special VFR - (Articles - May 19 2001)

Two of the most enduring mysteries in aviation include managing thepilot/controller relationship and why Special VFR exists, much less how to useit. Every pilot and every controller has a horror story about the other groupwhile newer pilots and controllers simply don't understand their mutualrelationship. Too, Special VFR is something that most pilots can't grasp andrarely use. AVweb's Howard Fried tells all.

Eye of Experience#39:
Those Dangerous Props - (Articles - May 18 2001)

Despite the relative safety of general aviation, each year several people areinjured or killed on the ground by spinning propellers. Plus, when it comes tohand-propping engines to get them started, there are all kinds of dangersinvolved. AVweb's Howard Fried takes a look at the "Armstrong method"of starting airplane engines, offers some stories proving why you need to payattention anytime there's a spinning prop around and shares some safety tipsabout this ongoing hazard to pilots and passengers alike.

Eye of Experience #38:
Imagination - (Articles - Mar 18 2001)

As children, most of us had vivid imaginations. As we get older, we tend toforego thinking about the future in the abstract and, instead, prefer to thinkin terms of facts and hard numbers. This is bad, according to AVweb's HowardFried. Using imagination to visualize flight training maneuvers, to warn us ofthe dangers involving a planned flight operation or to stay ahead of theaircraft helps us stay out of the weeds. Howard shows how using our imaginationhelps us anticipate our next move and ensures a likely and safe outcome to ournext flight.

Eye of Experience#37:
The Place of the FBO in the Scheme of Things - (Articles - Feb 18 2001)

Trying to explain an FBO to a non-pilot can be difficult. First, you have toexplain the name itself. Then comes trying to explain the aeronauticalequivalent of a gas station, driver school, car rental agency, maintenance shopand, perhaps, restaurant all rolled into one. AVweb's Howard Fried starts atwo-part series - to be finished next week by Rick Durden - on FBOs: Whatthey are, what they do and how they might think about doing it better.

Eye of Experience#36:
Luck vs. Skill - (Articles - Jan 21 2001)

Which would you rather have, luck or skill? When - not if - you areconfronted with bad weather, an unusual attitude or an airframe failure, whichwill you depend on? The correct answer is "both." You need the skillsto know what to do and when to do it. You also need some luck to have theopportunity to use those skills. AVweb's Howard Fried looks back on his ownlengthy career to explore the pairing of luck and skill and the ways he has usedthem to handle in-flight emergencies. So ... do you feel lucky? Well, do you?

Eye of Experience#35:
Safely Selling Your Airplane - (Articles - Dec 24 2000)

Much of the advice surrounding the sale of an aircraft involves how to ensurethat the buyer is fully informed about what he or she is getting. But there aretwo sides to any story - or any kind of transaction. What about selling yourairplane? What do you need to know to protect yourself? As a complement to RickDurden's recent column on buying an airplane, AVweb's Howard Fried takes a lookat what you need to know when selling one.

Eye of Experience#34:
The Biennial Flight Review - (Articles - Nov 26 2000)

Depending on your viewpoint, the Biennial Flight Review (BFR) is either acurse or a blessing. Regardless, it is a fact of aviation life in the U.S.AVweb's Howard Fried examines how the BFR came into being, what the instructor'sresponsibilities are, why it's probably the most violated FAR, what it entailsand - more importantly - what it doesn't.

Eye of Experience#33:
What Now? - (Articles - Oct 23 2000)

Congratulations. After many months of training and many dollars, you've justearned your private pilot's certificate. But many say that that piece of paperis only a license to learn, that "real" pilots go on to add aninstrument rating or the commercial certificate as they embark on an aviationcareer. Nonsense, says AVweb's Howard Fried: There are plenty of worthwhile andenjoyable things a freshly-minted private pilot can do. Here are some ideas.

Eye of Experience#32:
The Importance of VFR Skills - (Articles - Oct 1 2000)

In the moving-map, GPS-approach-certified environment of today, many newpilots are encouraged to concentrate on obtaining their instrument ticket and onmaintaining proficiency in the IFR system whenever and wherever they fly. Manythink this is a good thing. AVweb's Howard Fried is not among them, however. Forone, VFR navigation skills - like any others - deteriorate if they're notused regularly. And what happens when the electricity driving thathyper-expensive instrument panel takes a vacation?

Eye of Experience#31:
Back to Basics (Again) - (Articles - Sep 3 2000)

Some things never change. Among them are the proper ways to fly an airplanein various configurations and through various maneuvers. Whether straight andlevel in cruise, performing steep power turns or handling an emergency, there'sa right way and a wrong way to fly. AVweb's Howard Fried explores some of thesemaneuvers, the proper sequence of actions and where the pitfalls are.

Eye of Experience#30:
Who's Responsible? - (Articles - Aug 8 2000)

Want to start a raging argument during your next hangar-flying session? It'seasy - just ask two people to define "pilot in command" and how toenter pilot-in-command time into a logbook. You're guaranteed to get twodifferent answers, even from seasoned flight instructors. If a CFI can't figureout this stuff, what's a student pilot to do? AVweb's Howard Fried takes on thisdilemma as he answers the eternal question: Who's responsible?

Eye of Experience#29:
Sight, Sound, and Feel - (Articles - Jul 3 2000)

Flying an aircraft is a learned skill. As with any skill, we depend on oursenses - sight, sound, hearing, touch, and even the sense of smell - to helpus perform it. But which of our senses are we using, and when? AVweb's HowardFried explores how humans use their senses to "commit" aviation.

Eye of Experience #28:
The Evolution of Flight Training - (Articles - Jun 4 2000)

There are a lot of procedures in current flight training that have beeninherited from the past. At the same time, new developments in flight traininghave not kept pace with new developments in equipment and airspace. Some ofthese older procedures are merely a nuisance, but the lack of emphasis on laterdevelopments can place newly-minted pilots at a disadvantage. AVweb's HowardFried explores the many changes in flight training over the last few years andexplains why current practices are some 20 years behind the state of the art.

Eye of Experience#27:
A Medal for Dad - (Articles - May 7 2000)

World War II transformed many men and boys from all across the U.S. intoheroes. Most of these heroes were never properly recognized for their braveryand contributions. Others were formally recognized decades later. One such youngman was Jerry Stannard, who flew the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt over Europe aspart of the 48th Fighter Group. One day in September 1944, he earned theDistinguished Flying Cross. But he didn't receive it until 1993, almost 50 yearslater. Here's his story.

Eye of Experience#26:
Freight and Specialty Flying - (Articles - Apr 10 2000)

Most people think of the major and regional airlines when expressing a desireto become a "commercial pilot." But there are a wide range of flyingjobs out there that don't involve flying for an airline, some of which canprovide very satisfying careers. AVweb's Howard Fried looks at a few, includingflying cargo as a "freight dog," crop-dusting and towing banners andgliders. What do you want to do with your career?

Eye of Experience#25:
Making Perfect Landings - (Articles - Mar 12 2000)

Despite the skill level developed in other operations, making perfectlandings can be elusive for many pilots. It's sad but true: A pilot can flysmoothly around thunderstorms, never see the ground for hours, and break outafter a perfectly-flown ILS only to have some difficulty in the landing and hispassengers will come away doubting his abilities. What are the elements of aperfect landing? What about when ATC throws you a curve or two? AVweb's HowardFried tackles these and other elements of the perfect landing. How many have youmastered?

Eye of Experience#24:
The Role of the Flight Instructor - (Articles - Feb 20 2000)

Flight instructors are the backbone of general aviation. No one position inaviation has more impact on safety and efficiency. But the position is too oftenviewed as merely a stepping stone to a higher-paying job flying turbineequipment. Last week, AVweb's Rick Durden wrote in his column about thechallenges and rewards of flight instructing. This week, AVweb's Howard Friedwrites about the role of a CFI, one which is equal parts teaching, leading and(lastly) flying.

Eye of Experience#23:
Those Wonderful 'Coupes - (Articles - Jan 16 2000)

In the market for a good, inexpensive cross-country cruiser? Like to fly withyour feet on the floor? Looking for something "special" and"different," with a large following? How about an Ercoupe? Thisvenerable, no-rudder-pedals two-seat single has attracted a wide following overthe years. AVweb's Howard Fried explains why.

Eye of Experience#22:
Operations at Non-Towered Airports - (Articles - Dec 19 1999)

Just because there's not a control tower at an airport, it doesn't mean thatthere aren't any procedures to follow for landings and takeoffs. Still,operating at a non-towered airport can be one of the most confusing parts of aflight, for experienced and neophyte pilots alike. AVweb's Howard Frieddemystifies these procedures with some common sense and some examples of whatnot to do.

Eye of Experience#21:
The Ninety-Nines Preserving History and Safety - (Articles - Nov 211999)

Most people think of the Ninety-Nines as merely a social club for womeninvolved in aviation, but it's far more than that. Instead, the nationalorganization and local chapters are deeply involved in helping preserve aviationhistory in the U.S. as well as serving the aviation community wherever andwhenever they can. AVweb's Howard Fried explores two examples of theNinety-Nines' fine work.

Eye of Experience#20:
Mock Trial - (Articles - Oct 24 1999)

Ever wonder what goes on in a hearing on an alleged FAR violation? Need a newreason to fly "by the book"? AVweb's Howard Fried recently sat in on amock trial of charges brought against a flight crew by the FAA. Sadly, it oftencomes down to your word against someone else's.

Eye of Experience#19:
Where Do You Put It, and Why? - (Articles - Sep 26 1999)

Location, location, location. The top three things a real estate agent looksfor are also the top three things pilots should consider when loading anaircraft or deciding where to complete an off-airport landing. AVweb's HowardFried considers how loading can impact an aircraft's handling and how choosing asuitable landing area will maximize the likelihood of being able to use theaircraft again.

Eye of Experience #18:
Night VFR - (Articles - Aug 29 1999)

The recent accident in which JFK Jr., his wife and her sister died focusedmuch attention on the relative safety of flying VFR at night. Certainly, VFR atnight is different from flying the same trip during the day, but how differentis it? Is it unsafe? No, answers AVweb's Howard Fried - night VFR simplyrequires a bit more planning and a clear understanding of those differences.

Eye of Experience#17:
I Can't Believe They Did That! - (Articles - Jul 25 1999)

So, you think you pulled some dumb pilot tricks on your last checkride? Youweren't even close. In his 17-year career as an examiner, AVweb's Howard Friedhas seen it all. Here's just a few examples of the mistakes, goofs and stupidpilot tricks he's seen.

Eye of Experience#16:
Killing the Checkitis Bug - (Articles - Jun 28 1999)

Nothing strikes more fear into the heart of a pilot than the dreadedcheckride. Despite the stress, the butterflies and the stupid mistakes,thousands of pilots each year manage to take a checkride and pass it. How dothey do it? AVweb's Howard Fried offers up some tips on what to expect and -most importantly - what the examiner expects of the applicant.

Eye of Experience#15:
Hazardous Attitudes Revisited - (Articles - May 30 1999)

When pilots talk about "attitude," they're generally discussingroll, pitch and yaw. But it's a different attitude - the pilot's frame of mind- that is perhaps the most important ingredient of a safe flight. AVweb'sHoward Fried offers some case studies of pilots who took an attitude along inthe cockpit. Could any of them be you?

Eye of Experience#14:
Flying the Light Twin Safely - (Articles - May 2 1999)

Thinking of moving up from one fan to two? Sometimes, the mystery - and oldwives tales - surrounding multiengine flying can be enough to scare off apilot from the transition. In this month's Eye Of Experience, AVweb's HowardFried dispels many of the myths about light twins and answers reader questionsabout them. Even if you're not thinking of "trading up" from a singleto a twin, you're sure to learn something.

Eye of Experience#13:
It Can Happen to Me! - (Articles - Apr 15 1999)

The old saw says that there are two types of pilots: those who have had anaccident and those who will. In this month's Eye of Experience, AVweb's HowardFried discusses the five hazardous attitudes identified by the FAA that can leadto an accident. Learn how to recognize these attitudes, how to overcome them andhow to avoid becoming a statistic.

Eye of Experience#12:
Understanding the Stall - (Articles - Apr 4 1999)

Stall entry and recovery is one of the most discussed - and cussed -portions of a flight training syllabus. Yet, AVweb's Howard Fried believes thatstalls remain one of the most misunderstood aspects of safe and knowledgeableflying. His dissection of stalls, spin entry and maneuvering speed in this Eyeof Experience is a must-read for students, instructors and grizzled veteransalike.

Eye of Experience#11:
Flying by Sight Picture - (Articles - Feb 7 1999)

Some pilots fly by the numbers, while others fly by attitude. AVweb's HowardFried is in the latter camp, and thinks today's pilots are way too dependent onthe airspeed indicator and have forgotten (or never learned) how to fly by"sight picture." In discussing this, Howard reopens the old argumentabout whether power controls airspeed and pitch controls altitude, or viceversa. He explains how to put your airplane where you want it, when you want it,even without an airspeed indicator!

Eye of Experience#10:
Who Needs an Instrument Rating? - (Articles - Jan 10 1999)

Should every pilot be instrument-rated? The FAA seems to think so, and manyin the industry seem to treat non-instrument-rated pilots as second-classcitizens. Ever the plain-spoken contrarian, AVweb's Howard Fried says his answerisn't just "No" but "Oh, hell no!" and proceeds to examinethe real value of the instrument rating, the commercial certificate, and othertypes of advanced training.

Eye of Experience#9:
Consistency and Logic in the FAA? - (Articles - Dec 13 1998)

No one has ever accused the FAA of being either logical or consistent in theinterpretation of its regulations. AVweb's Howard Fried examines some classicexamples of the FAA's often less-than-sensible approach, both in regulations andin how we train to fly. We've sent Howard our Kevlar flack jacket.

Eye of Experience #8:
Carb Ice Demons - (Articles - Nov 16 1998)

Carburetor ice is an insidious killer, a demon which appears without warning,often when least expected. AVweb's Howard Fried provides some insight into whyyou might be caught out unexpectedly by carb ice, when to make use of carb heatto prevent it, and introduces some products to combat it. He also blows awaysome preconceived notions you may have about when to use carb heat. It isn'tjust for part-throttle operations.

Eye of Experience#7:
To Spin or Not to Spin? - (Articles - Oct 7 1998)

To spin or not to spin? That is the question AVweb's Howard Fried tries toanswer as he reviews the pros and cons of spin training. Dropped from thetraining syllabus in the late Fifties, there are still many who feel it hasvalue and would like to see all pilots exposed to this maneuver at a time otherthan when they are killed by it. Howard suggests that reintroducing it may bemore difficult than you think, even if everyone agreed it was a good idea.

Eye of Experience#6:
Judgement - (Articles - Sep 20 1998)

Can you teach good judgement? AVweb's Howard Fried questions how we impartthis vital skill to pilots. Poor judgement will kill as quickly as poor flyingtechnique. Combine poor judgement on the part of the instructor and the poorstudent is in double trouble. What is the best way to teach sound judgement?Howard offers some examples about what doesn't work.

Eye of Experience#5:
Feds at Work - (Articles - Aug 23 1998)

Columnist Howard Fried has firsthand experience with the FAA violationprocess and lived to tell about it, despite the best efforts of the FAA to hanghim out to dry. He survived in part because he understood how the process works.Now he shares this knowledge with you in hopes that should you ever need it, youwill be better equipped to protect your certificate. It also serves to explainwhy the "Hoover Bill" currently before Congress is so vital to preventfurther abuses by the FAA of its emergency revocation powers.

Eye of Experience#4:
Dropouts - (Articles - Jul 22 1998)

AVweb columnist Howard Fried raises an interesting question, why does flighttraining have such a substantially higher drop out rate than almost any othereducation endeavor? Howard, says some types of drop outs are understandable, butothers beg for an explanation. Why do some complete all their training, but thennever actually finish by getting their pilot's certificate? Do you know?

Eye of Experience#3:
Just 40 Hours? - (Articles - Jun 28 1998)

AVweb's Howard Fried asks, why does the FAA continue to push the myth thatyou can get your Private Certificate with only forty hours of flight time? Isn'tit about time we fessed up and were honest about this? Forty hours may have beenquite adequate years ago, but wouldn't flying be better served by using a morereasonable number today, like maybe 60 hours? Howard suggests that it might justmake the moribund Recreational Pilot Certificate a popular and useful rating andget more people into aviation. What a radical concept!

Eye of Experience#2:
Acing the Written - (Articles - May 29 1998)

AVweb's Howard Fried shares his foolproof way to ace the written (now knownas the Knowledge Test since the FAA has gone high-tech). Howard believes thatpeople don't fail these tests because they don't know the material. He says theyfail because they didn't answer the questions as they were asked, yet he alsoclaims there are no trick questions! Howard's method - which isn't reallycheating - is designed to get you the highest possible score, even if youdon't know all the answers.

Eye of Experience #1:
ALost Art? - (Articles - May 4 1998)

Remember when all it took to navigate was a sectional and a watch? You don't?Maybe you should rediscover the joys of pilotage and ded reckoning. AVwebcolumnist Howard Fried sounds off about one of his pet peeves: we're losing oneof the most enjoyable aspects of flying, one that also happens to be a potentiallifesaver when all our electronic gadgets decide they've had enough.