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.

SAFE Executive Director To Retire

The Society of Aviation and Flight Educators announced Friday that Executive Director Doug Stewart will retire when his contract expires in February. Stewart was among the founding members of the organization, which formed in 2009. Stewart was SAFE’s first chair and was named executive director in November 2011. “I fully expect to remain connected to […]

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First Helicopter Solo At 16 Makes New Mexico History

Isaac Wilson made history in his home state of New Mexico on Tuesday when he flew his first solo in a helicopter at age 16. The flight over Double Eagle II Airport in Albuquerque was the first of its kind there. It also was a unique milestone for Wilson’s instructor, Douglas Christian of Vertical Limit […]

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When It All Goes Dark

Were flying blissfully along enjoying the smooth night flight conditions and the panorama of lights below. The engine is purring smoothly, and, for once, we have caught a tailwind. We think to ourselves, this is why we became pilots and then we proudly wonder out loud what the ground-bound populace below is doing on such […]

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New Mexico FBO Owner Dies In Crash

Tyler Francis, owner of an FBO business in New Mexico, died Monday when the experimental airplanehe was flying crashed at Las Cruces International Airport, the Las Cruces Sun-News reported. Francis, 29, owned Francis Aviation, headquartered at the Dona Ana County Airport in Santa Teresa, New Mexico. He had recently expanded operations to Las Cruces, the […]

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Houston Controller Talks VFR Pilot Through IMC

ATC audioof a Houston controller talking a VFR pilot through an emergency IFR approach into Houston Executive Airport included instruction on setting up a GPS, vectors, and managing the Cessna 172’s engine as it descended from 8500 feet. Pilot Mark Nelson had called ATC for help when he was trapped above clouds flying his Cessna […]

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Corporate Jet Skids Off Runway In Texas

A corporate jet skidded off a wet runway and into a creek at Sugar Land Regional Airport in Texas Friday,Houston-area mediareported. Two pilots on board were uninjured, and the Embraer Phenom ended up tail-first in Oyster Creek.After touchdown, the pilot tried to make a U-turn to avoid going off the end of the runway, said […]

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Audio Of Rescue Calls During Andreini Airshow Crash Released

Audio of firefighter personnel and accompanying photos show a four-minute response time to airshow performer Eddie Andreini’s fatal crash at Travis Air Force Base in May, according to avideo (below)released by a lawyer for the pilot’s family. Mike Danko also alleged in an online statement Monday that Air Force officials were “confused” over where fire […]

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Short Final

After a VFR departure from a satellite airport, I called TYS approach. Me:“Knoxville, Cheyenne 1234 is off Morristown for a clearance to Nashville.” Approach:“Squawk 2345.” Me:“O.K., squawking 2345.” [A bit of a pause.] Approach:“Cheyenne 1234, squawk Oscar November.” I fixed the problem right away. Billy Chandler

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Airline Grounds Caravans After Icing Incident

A northern Canadian airline has temporarily grounded its fleet of four Cessna Caravans after one made an emergency landing on a frozen lake early Thursday. The flight from Yellowknife to Fort Simpson was about 15 miles into the flight when it apparently encountered severe icing. The pilot headed for the broad expanse of ice on […]

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Respect the Holiday Season Pressures

Welcome to the start of the Holiday Season-Thanksgiving, Chanukah, Christmas, New Year-the highest stress time of the year. Welcome to the season of intense pressure, spoken and unspoken, to make the flight you’re planning to be with your family. Before you start saying that Scrooge was the more caring member of my family, the point […]

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