Flight Training

ATDs (Aviation Training Devices) can serve a variety of purposes. Whether it’s initial flight training for VFR, IFR currency—thanks to new FAA regs—and even for avionics training, simulator tech for the flight school and for the home has never been better, thanks in part to touchscreen and big-screen monitors. For this field report for sister […]

Boeing Buys ForeFlight Beyond disappointing. Foreflight is going to get caught up in a corporate structure that will bleed all the imagination and energy out of this very important company. I certainly can’t judge the owners for “cashing” out but rest assured Boeing will raise prices and will not add “value”. What value, what strength […]

Boeing awarded a $3 million grant to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) aimed at accelerating the school’s pilot training and aviation maintenance programs at the 18th Annual U.S. Chamber of Commerce Aviation Summit on Thursday. The grant will create a permanent endowment to fund annual scholarships for flight training, maintenance training and certification costs. Scholarships will […]

While there are certainly arguments about how many pilots will be needed and when, stats like those presented in Boeing’s last Pilot & Technician Outlook, which estimates that 635,000 commercial aviation pilots will be needed in the next ten years, have caught the attention of the airline industry. So much so that the last five […]

As instrument pilots we are aware of many things that are important to safe flying. Of the many critical items, one that often gets neglected is runway markings—literally the “paint” on the runway, as opposed to runway and taxi lights and signs. Needless to say, I’m referring to paved runways, not grass strips nor waterways […]

Every year a AirVenture, EAA offers simulator-based pilot proficiency training for pilots attending the show. This year, AVweb’s Paul Bertorelli showed that he can make a hash of a sim session just as well as the next guy can. view on YouTube

In 2012, I won the grand prize during AirVenture: a fully restored 1941 Piper Cub. I was, of course, surprised, given that there were 865,000 entries that year. It was an honest, original Cub with no electrical system and a 65-HP Continental that cannot be modified with a starter. (Well, it can, but it involves […]

Sports coaches, music teachers, and creative writing instructors all encounter people who just enjoy practicing—sometimes more than they want to play, perform or publish. If you’re one of those folks who find joy in doing turns around a point or steep spirals, more power to you. Go forth, have fun and don’t feel obliged to […]

Meigs Field The return of Meigs is a long, long shot but I guess it could happen. The location is perfect. Pete Whelan As a note, the Democratic machine will not be able to reopen Meigs. To many green people in the city will not allow it. As far as even making it a helipad, […]

Now, I realize that this column is usually about amusing encounters, but I want to share something that was simply heartwarming to possibly expand your horizons. About a year ago I was training a student pilot. The college student was very intense and strived to be perfect at all her training. She listened to LiveATC […]