Flight Planning

On a recent flight from San Antonio to Fort Stockton the center frequency got very quiet. Me: “Center you still there?” Center (after a few seconds): “Yeah, it’s slow but they won’t let me go home” Jack Ogle

Many years ago while flying into MFR (Medford, OR) as a newly minted pilot from a non-controlled airport I was nervous to say the least.I got a right downwind entry clearance but I absentmindedly entered an extended left downwind. Tower: “Experimental 123xy, okay left downwind will work just fine too, and cleared for left base […]

I was doing one of my periodic office de-clutters this week and up on the far northwest corner of one shelf, I found some interesting artifacts. Like an archeologist dusting off pottery shards, there was the last of my Jeppesen binders and a stack of paper charts, some dating to 1997. I can’t remember when […]

Aeronautical decision-making (ADM) is essentially the mental process of gathering and evaluating information pertinent to a flight; listing the options and their attendant risks; and then choosing the best alternatives. It is an iterative process due to the nature of the changing variables inherent in flight. ADM is often a relatively simple and subliminal process […]

It was my first time flying into OSH after7 hours of hand flying a Skyhawk. Tower: “Welcome to OSH” Me:“I’m not a virgin anymore” Silence It was like a reflex. Kenneth Larson

On a busy day at my home airport LXT I was flying in the pattern with several other airplanes ahead of me. Pilot on rollout: “Traffic landing at Lee’s Summit be advised – there is a turkey on the runway.” Departing pilot:“Impossible, I’m already at 200 feet!” Gus Schlegel

Good judgment and quick thinking are hallmarks of the aviation mentality. Both pilots and air traffic controllers are in the decision-making business. For controllers, every moment our headsets are plugged in, we’re making choices that affect the safety and flow of traffic in our airspace. Some choices are easier than others, such as not clearing […]

A couple of years ago I was waiting as number one for takeoff at a towered airport. Tower: “Cessna 12345 cleared for takeoff runway 25.” Cessna 12345:“I’ll just wait on that aircraft on short final.” Airplane on final: “I appreciate that!” Tower:“I appreciate it too!” Greg Fowler

It would appear presidential TFRs over New York City and Palm Beach, Florida, will be a common feature over the next four years as President-elect Donald Trump and his family settle into their domestic routine. News reports over the weekend suggest that future First Lady Melania Trump will continue to live in the Trump Tower […]

On a corporate flight from Utah to Southern California, Center informed us of traffic, opposite direction and above. While flying in RVSM territory 1000 feet is plenty of clearance but still looks close. Learjet: Nice tie. I guess you had to be there but it was humorous to me at the time. Michael Hollister