Flight Planning

ATC:“Citation N1234, climb via the SID, but do not exceed 200 knots.” Citation N1234:“Roger. Climb via the SID; do not exceed 200 knots.” [A few moments pass.] ATC:“Citation N1234, resume normal speed.” Citation N1234:“This is our normal speed!” Brian Conway

SocialFlight, the website and app that helps pilots find aviation events and other interesting places to fly to, announced at Sun ‘n Fun on Thursday that a new upgrade to the site, version 5.0, will offer even more free features to users. “We’re adding more social features, making it easy for users to share pictures […]

It had been a fun morning. The heater had broken in the TRACON radar room. It was 20 degrees outside, not much better inside, and the hot chocolate I was drinking was losing its steam—literally. On top of that, busy last-minute holiday traffic had been giving our morning skeleton crew a kick in the teeth. […]

Sporty’s has teamed up with Mike Busch’s Savvy Aircraft Maintenance to offer what they call an aviation version of AAA. The Breakdown Assistance Program will give round-the-clock help for pilots who get stuck on a trip with a broken airplane. “Traveling by GA airplane can be one of the most exciting and valuable benefits of […]

At Sun ‘n Fun 2016, ForeFlight is introducing some new features for its popular iOS application. Here’s a review of what’s new. view on YouTube

A few years ago, I flew into RDU really late at night to drop off a couple of folks. On the way out, taxiing down to 5R, ground control called out. Ground Control:“Twin Cessna, where are you going?” Me:“To 5R.” Ground Control:“You were cleared to 5L.” Me:“Would you like me to do a 180 and […]

Unleaded aviation fuels developed by Shell and Swift Fuels will move on to Phase 2 testing in the FAA’s Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative, the FAA announced today. The tests are part of the FAA’s ongoing efforts to develop an acceptable unleaded fuel for small airplanes. “Small aircraft are the only mode of transportation that still […]

I just now heard this while listening to the McKinney, Texas (KTKI) tower: N1234:“McKinney Tower, N1234 is 10 east, inbound at 2,500 for touch-and-goes.” Tower:“N1234, ident.” N1234:“Ahhh. Uh. I am about 10 east at 2,500; heading: 270 — a red-and-white Cessna 172.” Tower:“N1234, just press the identbutton on your transponder please.” N1234:“Oh, O. K.” Ron […]

Back in the late ’90s, as a radio operator on MC-130E Combat Talons, I was returning to EGI from the East Coast. As I neared home, the pilot asked:“R. O., see if we can get lower.” I asked ATC for lower, as directed by the pilot. The kind folks at ATC denied our request. The […]

Structural failure accidents, often from getting too friendly with thunderstorms, kill both people and what little good press GA is able to garner. In the last decade, 50 accidents—about 10 per cent of all accidents—were due to in-flight structural failure. Worse, even with better weather data in flight, these accidents aren’t going away. Turbulence, Not […]