Risk Management

Today, the NTSB released its preliminary accident reporton the May 31, 2014, fatal accident of a Gulfstream G-IV at Hanscom Field, Bedford, Mass.-it stated that although the mechanical control lock was in the off position, the Fight Data Recorder (FDR) indicated the elevator position throughout the event was consistent with the control lock being engaged. […]

The NTSB says that data recovered from the flight data recorder (FDR) a Gulfstream IV jet that was involved in a fatal crash at Hanscom Field in Bedford, Mass., Saturday indicates the crew aborted the takeoff after reaching about 165 knots. The thrust reversers were apparently deployed and brake pressures were rising, according to NTSB […]

If you were asked to describe the great technological challenge of the age, what would it be? Cracking fusion as an energy source? The 1000 wh/kg lithium-ion battery? Cheap turbine engines made of plastic? For me, it would be a flashlight that does what its supposed to for, say, at least a year after purchase. […]

I dont know whether to be shocked, surprised or skeptical of this weeks reports that Customs and Border Protection is re-examining its policies toward stop-and-search of private aircraft. For now, I think Ill go with skeptical. The reasons are several, chief among them being that CBP is a giant, complex and largely opaque bureaucracy of […]

The most savage controversies are those about matters as to which there is no good evidence either way. – Bertrand Russell That which is legal is not always safe, and that which is safe is not always legal. – John Deakin These two quotes are most appropriate when talking about traffic pattern entries. What IS […]

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

By the time a person finishes training for a pilot certificate, he or she has gotten a good introduction to a small corner of the FARs, has probably learned nothing about whats involved in buying or owning an airplane and had an immersion in aviation Old Wives Tales (OWT) regarding legal obligations and potential liabilities […]

Letter of the Week:Adjusting GA I find it very interesting that AOPA is planning to refurbish three Cessna 152s looking for a price point of $85,000. Also, the comments about the 1,320-pound gross weight limit for LSA being a problem in the U.S. for flight schools. Both of these concerns lead me to believe, as […]

After several years of tweaking training programs, Cirrus reports that the fatal accident rate for its aircraft has dropped dramatically in the past couple of years and is now measurably below the fatal accident rate for GA as a whole. At the Aero show in Friedrichshafen, Germany, the companys Travis Klumb told assembled journalists that […]

I still have my airplane today. Im very lucky. After the most recent annual inspection was completed, my aircrafts induction system caught fire. I found I was woefully unprepared for such an event. If I was unprepared, you probably are, too. Thankfully, no real damage was done. But this event highlighted for me some of […]