Search Results for: vfr

I was in the Pilot’s Lounge at the virtual airport, a place normally for good friends, good conversation and some support when things were not going well. Yet, Old Hack’s voice was dripping with scorn as he addressed me from about three inches away: “You miserable excuse for a pilot. Now we truly know what […]

F-22 Airshow Debut You state that this is the first time the F-22 has traveled to a civilian airshow (NewsWire, Apr. 10). In fact, the F-22 did a flyby at the Centennial of Flight celebration in 2003 at Kitty Hawk, N.C. Specifically, the flyby occurred on Dec. 16, one day before the actual anniversary. I […]

This article originally appeared in Aviation Safety, January 2004. Currency, endorsements, certificates and “all available information” notwithstanding, the safety of flight depends on the pilot not exceeding his or her capabilities — except for that small minority of accidents caused by calamitous mechanical failure. That’s easy to say, but somewhat more difficult to live by.What […]

This article originally appeared in IFR Refresher, August 2005. Flying in the clouds requires currency and proficiency at flying on the gauges. It’s the pilot’s responsibility to meet the legal requirements before taking off into or flying through instrument conditions.A problem we see too often, though, is when pilots who are not current or proficient […]

Yes, it’s coming! But don’t get excited. You don’t really want what is coming, but you’re going to get it anyway. Remember when I wrote Say Again? #49: Come Up a Bad Cloud? Well, the “storm” is here.They say everybody has a talent. I don’t know if you want to call this a talent or […]

BRAINTEASERS Quiz #105: Think ClearlyFlying instruments is not particularly difficult. It’s figuring out what Air Traffic Control expects that fogs the brain. Learning the hidden powers of IFR and VFR clearances launches any pilot on a direct route to success.

For much of the U.S., the summer flying season starts on April 4, when the annual Sun ‘n Fun show opens in Lakeland, Fla. On Monday, the FAA released its official arrival procedures, complete with a video tour of the VFR route. The folks at Sun ‘n Fun Radio 1510 sent out a reminder this […]

AOPA’s Air Safety Foundation (ASF) does an exhaustive assessment of aircraft accidents each year called the Nall Report but it’s a year behind. That’s because it tries to include as many NTSB final reports as possible and it usually takes the NTSB six months to a year to complete a file. For 2004, 82 percent […]

This article originally appeared in Aviation Safety, December 2003. Each pilot rating or certificate is a hard-earned trophy that rewards pilots for their efforts, not with a shiny sparkle from a shelf in the den, but with heightened skill for flying the airplane. They stand as testaments to the pilot’s ability to eke utility out […]

The permanent zone that will likely result from all this is almost certain to be round, or close to it. The current “Mickey Mouse ears” shape of the ADIZ invites navigational error and also makes it tough on those monitoring the airspace. Just how big the circle should be is another matter. GA proponents say […]