Flight Planning

Fall conjures memories of bright blue skies, cool mornings and generally good daytime flying. But in aviation, looks can be deceiving. New air masses are on the move, the jet stream begins to flex its muscle over much of the United States, fronts are marching southward, and there’s likely a tropical storm in the Caribbean […]

Back in the 70’s I was in the pattern at Palamar Airport, along with several other aircraft. One fellow was having issues with his radio. Tower:“N1234 turn off your radio.” After several long seconds. Tower: “OK turn it back on” John Heiser

NavWorx says it expects agreement in “two to three weeks” with the FAA on the qualification of some of its ADS-B products for the $500 rebate the agency is offering early adopters of the technology. Aircraft operators who get the gear installed before next Sept. 19 or when 20,000 applications have been received (whichever comes […]

Last week, I attended a briefing at the local town hall where airport officials briefed a new arrival at the airport, a skydiving operation. As I figured it would, that ignited a minor freakout among the local pilot community, but they listened politely and asked good questions of the operator, who intends to start selling […]

Compared to landing, taking off is relatively simple. Our instructor lets us make the first takeoff of our very first flying lesson—or at least makes us think we made the takeoff. If everything goes right, it’s easy. But how do you know everything is going right? And how do you know what to do in […]

The Collings Foundation’s bombers were giving rides while I was getting ready to depart the airport at Ramona, CA early this summer. When I called for takeoff, I was told to hold short while a B-17 landed. After that beautiful plane cleared the runway, the follow exchange happened: RNM: Cessna, cleared for takeoff, caution wake […]

JAX Approach: American 123, airport 11 o’clock, 8 miles. Report in sight. AA123: (obviously, the co-pilot) The man says he has the airport in sight. JAX approach: Tell the man he’s cleared to the airport, expect a visual runway 8. AA123: I’ll break it to him gently.

The pre-private, 16-year-old, 12-hour total time solo glider student called the TFR-fire base temporary tower staff. Glider Student: “Santa Ynez Tower, Glider 28 Tango, 45 entry to right traffic, Runway 26, Santa Ynez.” This was followed by a deep baritone, “Santa Ynez, Skycrane 2C, inbound three miles from the southeast.” Tower: “Glider 28 Tango , […]

I am an instructor in Germany and was with a student flying to his first towered airport. The aircraft has no GPS installed and visibility was around 4-5 km in mist. We were given the entry into the control zone via VFR reporting point “November.” Tower (in a kind, investigative voice): “D-HR you are a […]

You’re in the airplane, strapped in and about to start the checklist when it hits you—filling the right half of the windshield is The Hangar. The one in the famous picture. The picture showing a Maule M-4 blasting out the hangar’s open door in full and fearless flight. Right there is where the legendary B. […]