Flight Safety

AVweb’s Flight Safety section offers in-depth coverage of aviation safety topics, including accident analyses, risk management strategies, regulatory updates, and pilot training insights. Designed for pilots, instructors, and aviation professionals, this section provides timely information to enhance situational awareness and promote best practices in flight operations.

Short Final

Years ago, I was a 727 first officer and was flying with Captain Chester Hector. We were eventually going to cross an intersection called Hector. I couldn’t resist. I got on the radio and asked: “This is United 123. Captain Chester Hector requests a vector direct to Hector.” Of course, the controller came right back […]

Read More »

Sport Expo: Can This Show Survive and Thrive?

Since I’m not the guy for writing apologias for anything, I have to be honest about this: Every year I walk through the main gate at Sebring’s Sport Aviation Expo, I wonder if this show has enough economic momentum to survive for another year. For those accustomed to the size and energy of Oshkosh or […]

Read More »

Sebring Crash Victims Identified

Sheriff’s deputies have identified two people who died in the crash of an Aero Adventure amphibious LSA near the main runway at Sebring Regional Airport in Florida, site of the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo. Pilot Dennis Day, of Groveland, Florida, and Jason Spinks, 44, of Orlando, were killed when the aircraft crashed nose-first just off […]

Read More »

A Test Pilot Spins

It’s been my good fortune to work and socialize with a number of test pilots during my career. There has been a lot of publicity and hype about test pilots ever since the Montgolfier brothers made the first flight of an aircraft in 1783-some of it has even been true. My own perspective is that […]

Read More »

Instrument Sim Rule Rescinded

The FAA is withdrawing a rule that would have allowed greater use of simulators for instrument training because two people thought it was a bad idea. The agency issued a final rule Dec. 3 that allowed up to 20 hours (up from 10) on an approved training device toward an instrument rating. It also got […]

Read More »

AOPA Offers Free Survival Course

AOPA’s Air Safety Institute has produced a new video and a printed guide to help educate pilots and passengers about the skills they need to survive a forced landing in an aircraft. “The safest pilot is one who prepares for any eventuality,” said George Perry, senior vice president at ASI. “That includes preparing for an […]

Read More »

The FAA’s Time Warp

Fresh into an all-New Year, it’s tempting to hope that somehow, this year things will be different. The old traps and habits and flaws of the past will fade away, as transient as champagne bubbles and confetti, and life will be shiny and new. Yet a few weeks later we find ourselves back in our […]

Read More »

NTSB Cites Loss Of Control As GA Hazard

The NTSB released its annual Most Wanted List for safety improvements on Tuesday morning, and for general aviation the number-one issue is loss-of-control accidents. “The Most Wanted List is our roadmap for 2015,” said NTSB acting chairman Christopher Hart. “This list is grounded in the accident investigations by which NTSB learns safety lessons, and in […]

Read More »
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox

SUBSCRIBE