Flight Planning

The FAA awarded contracts this week for its DUATS II program to CSC DUATS and Lockheed Martin, dropping longtime provider DTC DUATfrom the online pilot briefing/flight planning service. Both CSC and DTC had provided the service for the last 26 years. CSC won a 5-year contract along with Lockheed Martin, which runs the Flight Services […]

Overheard this while working in the pattern with a student years ago. Along the Connecticut coast, airports ABC and XYZ were often mistaken for each other by pilots. One day a student pilot pilot called in and was told to call a four-mile final for the active runway. When he did report on final, the […]

Last Friday morning, I was en route to Sun ‘n Fun. The weather at KLAL prevented canceling IFR and joining the Lake Parker VFR arrival. As I (along with several other aircraft) was issued a holding clearance at LAL VOR to wait my turn for the ILS runway 9 approach, I was reminded just how […]

In the late ’70, I was flying up the East Coast in the early morning, in the low stratus along the Atlantic beaches. Our flight, an Allegheny Commuter Twin Otter en route to Atlantic City’s Bader Airport, was operating IFR with Atlantic City approach. Essentially, we were on top at 2,000 with high cirrus above. […]

WingX Pro7, the popular EFB app for iPads and iPhones, will be available for Android in the coming weeks, Hilton Software LLC announced at the Sun ‘n Fun show in Lakeland, Florida.The Android version will roll out withVFR Sectionals, IFR High and Low Enroute charts, routing,weather, TFRs, and Special Use Airspace overlays. It also adds […]

If none of your experience involves a major international airport, it is incomplete. There are times when flying into a big airport is just more convenient, such as for a business meeting at the airport hotel or to pick up a passenger arriving by airline. With a little planning and study, you can handle even […]

The FAA has published a list of 736 NDB and VOR/DME instrument approaches (PDF) it wants to shut down starting this year as it moves to satellite-based navigation. In a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) published April 13 the agency says the approaches facing the axe are “redundant or underutilized” based on criteria it established […]

While monitoring traffic at KAPA, we overheard a Skyhawk pilot having a difficult day. Having gone around on his first attempt, he ended up safely on the ground on his second — if a bit long and far from gracefully. Tower:“Skyhawk 123, you O.K. there?” Skyhawk 123:“Yeah. We took a bounce there. [pause] I hope […]

As number two in the pattern today, I announced:“Comanche, right downwind, runway 21.” Number three in the pattern said:“182 on 45, looking for traffic.” I responded:“I’m over the hill, turning base now.” Number three said:“If you’re flying today, there’s no way you’re over the hill.” Al Briguglio

Long ago, an instructor explained to me that knowing the various options for using the airplane, the different ways to make it do what’s needed, and the savvy to use those different models as appropriate; differentiated aviating from rote piloting. In the case of using climb abilities to your benefit, the best preparation begins with […]