Features

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 […]

We were out taking pictures for a safety seminar, and admittedly a bit distracted (no, the irony is not lost on us) when we reported a left base to the tower. That’s when things got silly… Us: Tower, we’re high, uh, Cessna 1234, on the left base. Tower: Sir, you’re speaking with ATC, and I’m […]

Advisory – Security Information for Aircraft Owners/Operators & Airport Managers April 20, 2006 On April 13, 2006, a message posted in Arabic on a web forumexplained how to identify private American jets and urged Muslims todestroy all such aircraft: “Destroy private American aircraft…We call upon all Muslims to follow and identify private civilian American aircrafts […]

On April 19, at approximately 11:10 am EDT, a Cessna 210A, N6579X, rapidly descended into remote mountainous terrain near Ludville, Georgia, after entering an area of thunderstorms. The pilot, well-known test pilot A. Scott Crossfield, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed at the time of the accident. The accident flight […]

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 […]

Proudlyflyingmy new Lancair Columbia 350intoTucson International, having been cleared for the visual to 11L, I heard this interchange with a regional jet: Tower:RJ1234 you’re cleared for the visual following the Columbia on a one mile final. (pause) RJ1234: …I’m following the Space Shuttle?!!

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 […]

Airliner Anti-Missile System In regards to Ed Connely’s assertions that an explosive bullet fired into a full tank of fuel would cause an explosion (AVmail, Apr. 3), I was once present at an incident where a pencil flare was accidentally fired through the deck of a helicopter and into a fuel tank full of JP-5. […]