Flight Safety

WARNING: The techniques and procedures described in this column can definitely be hazardous to your health and life. I do not encourage anyone to fly at these altitudes unless they have experience in an altitude chamber, have AT LEAST the equipment described, and know the subject and their limitations thoroughly. Mountaineers call altitudes above 25,000 […]

Ordinarily, as summer winds down here at the virtual airport, the Pilot’s Lounge regulars are engrossed in planning their hundred-dollar-hamburger trips in directions that will give them the best scenery as the fall colors start to show. But this year, discussion of the continued high level of incompetence at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and […]

Jim Slade was born December 4,1936, in Morgantown, W.Va. As a kid he washed airplanes for flight time, earning his pilot’s certificate 15 minutes at a time. His deep voice and ability to think on his feet pointed him to a career in radio journalism, and during his 40 years in the business he covered […]

I just finished a partial-panel approach, with one engine feathered and a load of ice, to 200 and 1/2, and I can’t wait to try it again! No, I’m not crazy. I flew the approach on the PC-based flight simulator that I have set up in my home office. (click images for larger version) I […]

Please forgive me if I rant and rave here, but I simply can’t help it when I see what’s happening to that which I love dearly – aviation. Although I am solely responsible for the opinions expressed here, I am sure that thousands of GA pilots share these opinions. And although the subject of this […]

Do you know the most common mistake a solo student can make to cause an accident during takeoff and landing? Do you practice to avoid it, or spend lots of time with your students on it? Before you send a student up again, you may want to read Brett Justus’ article. Ask any flight instructor […]

Welcome back class. Now that we have you up in the air, we have to figure out a way to get you back down. As you have no doubt been told by your CFII, this part is not optional. Failure to successfully complete this section of the course will result in your termination. Permanently. For […]

Have you ever given thought to what you would do if you found yourself strapped in upside down in a sinking aircraft? Imagine flying along on a nice warm day, and the next moment, being trapped inside an aircraft with cold water rushing in. It’s very dark, you can’t breathe, and if you’re not prepared, […]

The term “Fried Valves” seems to be sneaking into the lexicon of engine terminology, and is most often used by those who speak in dire tones about LOP (Lean of Peak) operations. Next they’ll blame LOP for tail flutter, vacuum pump failures, faded upholstery, and other such things. While were at it, let’s blame LOP […]

In December, 2001, the ATSB (Australian Transport Safety Bureau, similar to the U.S.’s NTSB) published one of the worst accident reports I can remember reading. In my opinion, the ATSB has taken junk science, pure speculation and profound ignorance to levels seldom before seen. They have not only perpetuated “Old Wives’ Tales,” but they have […]