Features

On a recent trip to visit my inlaws, I was passing by an airport on my way when I heard this exchange: Cessna1234:Tower, Cessna 1234 is ready for takeoff. Tower: Cessna 1234 you are cleared for takeoff Runway 24. Say direction of flight. Cessna 1234: Cleared for takeoff Runway 24, Direction of Flight. Tower: Which […]

It’s probably even money that every pilot who has flown more than 40 hours has awakened in a cold sweat after having had a takeoff nightmare—trying to get performance out of an airplane that is barely in the air, unwilling to climb and rushing toward something tall and menacing. It’s even worse when you’re awake […]

Truth is often stranger than fiction. Perhaps that’s why reports from the Aviation Safety Reporting System are so compelling. There is a lot to be learned by reviewing the mistakes other pilots have made—and who then lived to tell us about them. Here are some recent ones that have several critical learning points. Attitude Indicator […]

I was listening to Unicom at my local airport in Northwest Ohio when I heard the following exchange between two jets on the ramp. Citation 1234: Taxiing to runway 18 for departure. Lear 5678: You going to Columbus? Citation: Yeah Lear: Wanna Race? Citation: That’s not fair, you’re in a Lear! Ben Stevens

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 […]

Choosing which airplane to build is something deserving of serious consideration. There are so many cool designs and differing capabilities, it can leave you scratching your head. Taking a systematic approach to selection can eliminate the pain and error from the process. Let’s explore what’s involved and how to get off to a good start. […]

Years ago, new GPS approaches were commissioned at Houma, LA (KHUM) and the FAA King Air was flight checking them. Tower: “Report JOBUP” King Air after delay: “JOBUP” Another aircraft: “Are you guys naming these after your kids, now?” Bob Dingley

Perhaps you’ve seen the widely distributed aviation video 178 Seconds to Live. The narrative starts: “The sky is overcast and the visibility poor. That reported five-mile visibility looks more like two and you cannot judge the height of the overcast. . .” It continues: “. . . You find yourself unconsciously easing back just a […]

Change is certainly a constant in aviation. Beyond aircraft technological advances, the rules that govern how air traffic control handles those aircraft are also frequently adjusted. One area in particular that’s seen significant discussion and change in the past three years is opposite direction operations (ODO). The official Pilot/Controller Glossary defines ODO: “Aircraft are operating […]

Providence Approach:King Air 1234 contact Bradley Approach on 123.95. Providence Approach:King Air 1234 contact Bradley Approach on 123.95. Providence Approach: King Air 1234 – contact Bradley Approach on 123.95 King Air 1234: (Scratchy static)Here, you reply from your seat. This PTT is a POS. Graeme Smith