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Air Facts was first published in 1938 by Leighton Collins, dedicated to “the development of private air transportation.” It’s a different world now, and it’s a different Air Facts. Relaunched in 2011 as an online journal, Air Facts still champions, educates, informs and entertains pilots worldwide with real-world flying experiences. More…

Unnecessary Comments on Short Final

En route, we contacted the alert facility for a weather update and learned that conditions had degraded significantly. The weather was barely above ILS minimums, and the snow- and ice-covered runway required us to engage an arresting cable on landing. Fortunately, Galena had three serviceable arresting cables at the approach end of the runway and a midfield cable located a little less than halfway down the preferred landing runway.

sunrise

Friday Photo: Sunrise Over the Atlantic

Several times per week I fly back and forth from my home in Ocean Reef (Key Largo) to my office in Fort Lauderdale in my 182. This particular morning at Sunrise was simply awe inspiring. Detached from the earth, the majesty of flight is a profound gift.

Task Prioritization in a C-130H Emergency

In the Air Force we are taught from day one to approach emergencies with a standardized response. The acronym MATL is ingrained in every pilot’s mind. It stands for Maintain Aircraft Control, Analyze the Situation, Take Proper Action, and Land as soon as Conditions Permit. The challenge is staying disciplined when the workload spikes.

Lost and Found

There are many fine accounts of the adventures, travails, and tragedies of the men and women who fly. Yet there is always a flight in one’s lifetime that defines us indelibly. This one is legendary but has faded from history; perhaps the shadows of other events seem greater, but it deserves to be retold as a testament to the steely resolve of one Canadian aviator. His will to live serves as an inspiration for all pilots who contemplate resignation in the face of adversity.

Breaking the Chain: Recognizing the Links Before Disaster

The first link in the chain began when I was still at home. For reasons that escape my memory, I was over an hour late leaving for the airport. The second link in the chain occurred when I pulled the Scout out of its T-hangar and discovered that I had forgotten to refuel it after my last flight. That meant finding someone to give me a hand-prop while I held the brakes.

The Lovable Con Man

Eric, sometimes known as Farley, was a well-built, dark, handsome brute of about 30. He could—and did—literally charm the pants off every pretty girl within 100 miles of wherever he happened to be that particular evening. He was by far the best salesman Placo ever employed, before or since. At that time, we were selling about one new aircraft a month.

John’s Blog

Go-arounds don’t have to be hard

I was grumpy with my friend because I hate the obsession with instant analysis, and he made me participate in this ugly trend. I was grumpy because this accident hit a little close to home, killing a father who was flying his wife and daughter in a Cirrus SR22 (something I do often). But I was mostly grumpy because go-around accidents happen far too often—and they are eminently preventable. This is one problem we should be able to solve.

Guard frequency in the age of social media

Yes, this is an “old man yells at cloud” article. Yes, I can already hear the jokes about the “guard police.” I don’t care. It needs to be said: Guard frequency (121.5) has become a national embarrassment, a sign that our self-absorbed social media culture has spread to the once-boring world of aviation. We need to do better.

Why are spatial disorientation accidents on the rise?

Researchers from the FAA show that SD accidents have not declined since 2003—in fact, quite the opposite. You might assume the widespread adoption of tools like datalink weather, modern autopilots, reliable AHRS, and electronic flight bag apps would make VFR-into-IMC (the classic SD accident scenario) much less common. It’s a great theory, but the numbers don’t support it.

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I Can’t Believe I Did That

Out of Options—Pinned in the Pass

I Can't Believe I Did That

Weather closing in. Terrain rising ahead. No room to turn back. In a narrow New Zealand valley, one pilot learns just how unforgiving a single wrong decision can be — and what it taught him about judgment and humility.

Spatial Disorientation: I Thought It Couldn’t Happen to Me

I Can't Believe I Did That

I began climbing to get between layers, intending to stabilize and then request IFR. But as I entered the clouds, what I thought could never happen did. I was in an unusual attitude: 45 degrees banked and nose down. For a moment, I considered pulling the CAPS parachute. I had often wondered if I’d have the presence of mind to use it in a real emergency. After this, I know the answer is yes. But I also realized I could recover.

I Made Every Flight Training Mistake Humanly Possible

I Can't Believe I Did That

Flight training is rarely a straight line, but for Nick Smith it turned into a winding, four–year journey full of delays, false starts, and unexpected costs. In this brutally honest account, he shares the mistakes he made—so future pilots don’t have to repeat them. His story is both a cautionary tale and a reminder that perseverance can still lead to the certificate.

Opinion

Breaking the Chain: Recognizing the Links Before Disaster

The first link in the chain began when I was still at home. For reasons that escape my memory, I was over an hour late leaving for the airport. The second link in the chain occurred when I pulled the Scout out of its T-hangar and discovered that I had forgotten to refuel it after my last flight. That meant finding someone to give me a hand-prop while I held the brakes.

Five Books Every Pilot Should Read (That Have Nothing To Do With Flying)

When it comes to reading lists for pilots, you typically see the same half-dozen classical books on them. Yet there can be plenty of wisdom for pilots found in some non-traditional aviation texts as well. Here are five books all pilots should read that have absolutely nothing to do with flying.

The Truth About Tailwheel Flying: Humility, Fun, and Warm FBO Cookies

Tailwheel flying has a way of humbling even the most confident pilot—and that’s exactly why it’s worth pursuing. In this humorous and insightful piece, Serrhel Adams reflects on the lessons, surprises, and pure joy that come with conventional-gear flying. From Cub mornings to GameBird departures, he makes the case for earning your tailwheel endorsement and rediscovering the simple fun of stick-and-rudder flying.

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I Can’t Believe I Did That

Learn from the mistakes of others

Technique

Improve your flying skills

Go Or No Go

Test your weather decision-making

Young Pilots

The next generation writes

Friday Photo

Unforgettable cockpit views

I Was There

Sharing pilot stories