Flight Planning

Southwest has installed water-vapor sensors on 87 of its 737s, and is sharing the data with the National Weather Service. “We have seen improvements in the capabilities for forecasting severe thunderstorms, and also the forecast of whether the storm is going to produce rain, snow, freezing rain, or sleet,” said Carl Weiss, an aviation meteorologist […]

San Marcos, Texas (KHYI) was busier than normal this recent November weekend due to Formula 1 racing in Austin when the following exchange was overheard: KHYI Tower:“Mooney 1234N, cleared for take-off, Runway 13.” Mooney 1234N:Tower, Mooney 1234N. Can I land first? KHYI Tower:Mooney 1234N, cleared to land. Robert Elliottvia e-mail

On September 10th, 2001, the world of general aviation was, if not rosy, not too bad. Cessna had re-started single-engine production and a new company called Cirrus was having encouraging success with a composite airplane with a parachute. You could see a future. A day later, it all but vanished in a choking cloud of […]

While on a local flight close to my base airport (KLWB), a landing Gulfstream contacted the tower. The controller in the cab gave the Gulfstream clearance to land, along with a warning that buzzards were circling near the approach end of the runway. “O.K.,” replied the Gulfsteam. “We’ve got the BB gun loaded.” Kyle Jonesvia […]

This week, China moved forward with expanding access to their air space for general aviation operations. Ed Smith, vice president of international affairs for the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, chats with AVweb contributing editor Mary Grady about what that news means for the industry. Duration: File Size: download here

Choppy conditions prevailed one recent evening along the Florida coast as we progressed toward Miami. We were behind several aircraft headed in the same direction when Miami Center told a Delta flight to slow to 260 knots in the descent. The exchange went something like this: Delta:“260 knots?” Miami Center:“Yes. The regional jet ahead of […]

Educational training supply company ASA launched six new apps in October designed to aid pilots in preparation of a checkride. AVweb speaks with ASA curriculum director Jackie Spanitz to learn more. Duration: File Size: download here

Background: In the C-141 at the time, there was a three-position switch on the right side of the yoke. Up was interphone, neutral was off, and down was transmit on the active radio. And in a USAF “crew-served” aircraft, you identify yourself by position when responding to a question or checklist item. (I.e., “Ready for […]

The deck of a cargo ship in the English Channel became a landing site recently for the pilot of a Foxbat Xtreme STOL airplane. The landing, caught on camera from several angles, was a carefully planned stunt by Dutch pilot Jaap Rademaker. “The ship was sailing at 9 knots speed over ground, the true windspeed […]

I was flying from EWR-DFW the week after the Texas-Oklahoma University football game (won by Texas this year). On the center frequency, an aircraft with the call sign “Oklahoma One” checked in, and after each conversation with center, they responded “Oklahoma One.” Finally, someone keyed the mic and said, “No, Texas won.” The silence was […]