Features

AVweb’s General Aviation Accident Bulletinis taken from the pages of our sister publication,Aviation Safetymagazine and is published twice a month. All the reports listed here are preliminary and include only initial factual findings about crashes. You can learn more about the final probable cause in the NTSB’s web site atwww.ntsb.gov. Final reports appear about a […]

In many conversations with instrument instructors, I’ve noted a common concern about the way many pilots conclude practice precision approaches (ILS or GPS LPV) under the “hood”: They do a great job of keeping the needles near the center as decision altitude nears; airspeed, descent rate and heading all would be appropriate. But when the […]

On a routine day of bad weather flying me and the Captain overheard center calling ATC:“Cargo 244 Heavy descend to one seven thousand and hurry through flight level one nine zero.” Heavy: ” Roger, descend to one seven thousand and what rate would you like?” ATC:“HURRY” Heavy: “Were hurrying!, cargo 244!”

For over 70 years general aviation pilots have volunteered their time, skills and airplanes to help others in need by giving free flights for everything from search and rescue through medical transport, environmental survey and research to disaster relief, animal transport and exposing kids to the world of flight. What has been termed Public Benefit […]

For a little less money (sometimes), the Aeronca is a better flier, roomier, faster and easier to land. But it will always lack the Cub’s cachet. While pilots grow old waiting for the FAA to reform the Third Class medical, light sport flying remains the last refuge to stay in the air (Editor’s note:this article […]

During a VFR approach in a busy airport in mostly-Catholic Colombia, a student pilot was given landing clearance. It seemed she didn’t understand the controller. Student: “Could you please confirm?” Tower:Sure: I confirm you in the name of the Father, in the name of the Son…” Of course the controller gave her the right instructions […]

AVweb’s General Aviation Accident Bulletin is taken from the pages of our sister publication, Aviation Safety magazine and is published twice a month. All the reports listed here are preliminary and include only initial factual findings about crashes. You can learn more about the final probable cause in the NTSB’s web site at www.ntsb.gov. Final […]

It had been a busy flight with some heavy weather for a Cessna 182. I was anticipating the final vector for the ILS and fumbling with the tablet’s presentation of the approach plate (I had vowed to make friends with the electronic flight bag). The realization that the sound had unexpectedly changed brought me back […]

Regional Approach:Citation 123, please give a cloud description on your descent. Citation 123: They’re white. Regional Approach: … Citation 123: Just kidding. Tops were jagged 5,000 down to 4,500. Regional Approach: I literally had nothing to say to that.

A while ago I had a long, interesting discussion on the topic of preparing for inflight emergencies with a pilot whose day job was as a surgeon who trained surgeons. He had an interesting perspective on the subject based on how he taught aspiring cutters: He had them sit down and write down everything that […]