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  • Tail rotor failure in the Grand Canyon

  • Protecting the Pitot-Static System … by making Safety a Habit

  • From the archives: What it takes to fly the President

  • Autopilots are underrated

  • Friday photo: Generations of air travel

  • Which controls which? Throttle/elevator and airspeed/altitude

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Learn from the mistakes of others

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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…

Bell 47 helicopter

Tail rotor failure in the Grand Canyon

I was there
I was performing sling loading operations in the Bell and was picking up my external loads from within a corral that was situated right next to an 800', sheer cliff. On that particular hook-up, right as the loader signaled that I was good to go, and as I added power and anti-torque pedal to rise to my hover, I felt a slight jerk in my tail rotor control pedals. That’s when things began to unravel.
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March 20, 2023
https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/06173915/Bell-47.jpg 600 795 Joe Baginski https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/06142440/Air-Facts-Logo340.jpg Joe Baginski2023-03-20 08:55:582023-03-03 13:45:48Tail rotor failure in the Grand Canyon

Protecting the Pitot-Static System … by making Safety a Habit

Technique
On takeoff, the pilot also neglected to observe the airspeed indicator as the airplane accelerated and rotated. Only then did he discover his error. Looking out the left window, the pilot saw the white pitot tube cover still in place underneath the white Cessna wing.
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3 Comments
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March 17, 2023
https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/06121339/bonanza-pitot-tube-scaled.jpg 1920 2560 Leo Berube https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/06142440/Air-Facts-Logo340.jpg Leo Berube2023-03-17 09:00:222023-03-17 13:44:34Protecting the Pitot-Static System … by making Safety a Habit

From the archives: What it takes to fly the President

Air Facts Archives
Air Force One, as the Presidential plane is identified when the Chief Executive is aboard, is a swept-wing Boeing VC-137C, basically the same design as the 707-320B, an intercontinental jetliner flown by many airlines. Delivered in late 1962, it has a top speed of 620 miles-an-hour, and a non-stop range of 7000 miles — 2500 miles more than the previous Presidential jet.
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March 15, 2023
https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/27104045/KENNEDY-B707.png 633 961 Air Facts Staff https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/06142440/Air-Facts-Logo340.jpg Air Facts Staff2023-03-15 08:55:212023-03-17 13:46:56From the archives: What it takes to fly the President
Garmin GFC 500 autopilot

Autopilots are underrated

John's blog
It’s time to add the much-maligned autopilot to this list of life-saving technologies—and retire some old myths in the process. The latest generation of digital autopilots are nothing like the “mechanical brain” of 1947 or even the analog systems of the 1970s and 80s. They are the first models to truly live up to the grand title they are often given: “automatic flight control system.” 
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7 Comments
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March 13, 2023
https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/27153514/8d2d352177553035380c8d89065116aa_XL.jpg 857 900 John Zimmerman https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/06142440/Air-Facts-Logo340.jpg John Zimmerman2023-03-13 09:00:242023-02-28 18:19:01Autopilots are underrated

Friday photo: Generations of air travel

Friday Photo
The view: A DC-3 sits outside the Frontiers of Flight museum ramp as a 737NG shadow departs.  The first 737-300 delivered to Southwest airlines is also just visible in the upper left corner. The pilot: Chris Schaich The airplane: Boeing…
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March 10, 2023
https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/27100841/DC3-on-ramp-scaled.jpeg 1765 2560 Chris Schaich https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/06142440/Air-Facts-Logo340.jpg Chris Schaich2023-03-10 08:55:042023-03-02 10:35:54Friday photo: Generations of air travel
Super Cub landing

Which controls which? Throttle/elevator and airspeed/altitude

Opinion
There’s an old story about an insane asylum in which nobody ever thought up any new jokes, so all the old jokes were given numbers. This meant that telling a joke only required giving its number. In that same spirit, here is a list of arguments as to whether pitch or power controls airspeed or altitude. Now pilots can discuss the issue more succinctly by tossing numbers around.
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19 Comments
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March 8, 2023
https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/06140804/Bush-pilot-landing.jpg 841 1500 Ed Wischmeyer https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/06142440/Air-Facts-Logo340.jpg Ed Wischmeyer2023-03-08 08:55:552023-02-27 10:03:29Which controls which? Throttle/elevator and airspeed/altitude
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John’s Blog

Garmin GFC 500 autopilot

Autopilots are underrated

John's blog
It’s time to add the much-maligned autopilot to this list of life-saving technologies—and retire some old myths in the process. The latest generation of digital autopilots are nothing like the “mechanical brain” of 1947 or even the analog systems of the 1970s and 80s. They are the first models to truly live up to the grand title they are often given: “automatic flight control system.” 
Read more
7 Comments
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March 13, 2023
https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/27153514/8d2d352177553035380c8d89065116aa_XL.jpg 857 900 John Zimmerman https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/06142440/Air-Facts-Logo340.jpg John Zimmerman2023-03-13 09:00:242023-02-28 18:19:01Autopilots are underrated
Pilot in Cessna 182

The joy of IFR

John's blog
Really flying IFR (not just earning the rating) is probably the most challenging activity you can do these days, unless you’re a heart surgeon or a Navy SEAL. Flying blind in the clouds, managing dynamic weather, and keeping up with air traffic control is like a mental treadmill that’s permanently set on 10—there is no stopping to take a break, and losing focus can lead to real pain. But that's exactly why it's so fun.
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18 Comments
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February 1, 2023
https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/26085139/Pilot-flying-six-pack-with-iPad.jpg 1098 1500 John Zimmerman https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/06142440/Air-Facts-Logo340.jpg John Zimmerman2023-02-01 08:53:182023-02-05 10:56:07The joy of IFR

Top 10 articles of 2022 on Air Facts

John's blog
It was another busy year at Air Facts: we published 156 articles in 2022, written by more than 100 different writers. Many of these writers were first time contributors at Air Facts, just pilots with a story to tell or a lesson to share. Hopefully you're enjoying a moment to relax this holiday season. While you're doing that, enjoy the 10 most popular articles of 2022 below.
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1 Comment
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December 28, 2022
https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/06164935/41854723_m.jpg 565 848 John Zimmerman https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/06142440/Air-Facts-Logo340.jpg John Zimmerman2022-12-28 08:01:432022-12-20 14:16:18Top 10 articles of 2022 on Air Facts
View John’s Blog

I Can’t Believe I Did That

Airplane out side window

First solo out of the pattern: an unexpected adventure in risk management

I Can't Believe I Did That
All of a sudden, I hear “MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY!” along with a report that a small biplane had a propeller failure during the takeoff roll.  After a minute or so of radio silence, the UNICOM monitor announces that the the runway - the ONLY runway - at my home airport is closed until further notice.  Gulp.
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15 Comments
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March 1, 2023
https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/06162202/Traffic-from-side-window.jpg 815 1223 Troy Kelley https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/06142440/Air-Facts-Logo340.jpg Troy Kelley2023-03-01 09:00:502023-02-16 17:57:53First solo out of the pattern: an unexpected adventure in risk management

My near fuel emergency

I Can't Believe I Did That
The extra RPMs to compensate for the half-opened carb heat, a probably too conservative mixture, and of course stronger than forecasted winds aloft resulted in a much higher fuel burn than expected. Surprisingly, the FBO pumped 34.5 gallons into our Skyhawk! That calculates to only 3.5 gallons remaining.
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5 Comments
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February 20, 2023
https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/07135023/KDEDRwy5.jpg 998 1413 Enderson Rafael https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/06142440/Air-Facts-Logo340.jpg Enderson Rafael2023-02-20 09:00:302023-02-07 13:56:25My near fuel emergency
Super Cub

A simple oversight almost ruins a bucket list trip

I Can't Believe I Did That
From Andover I flew the first leg to Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, the Cub’s birthplace. We topped off and I climbed up to check the tanks, which was probably my first mistake. Lyle took the front seat and I squeezed all 6‘ 1” of me into the back. Lyle cranked the starter and we heard a bang like something hitting the plane. We ignored it. Second mistake.
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20 Comments
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September 26, 2022
https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/19170024/Super-Cub-in-grass.jpg 1125 1500 William Reyer https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/06142440/Air-Facts-Logo340.jpg William Reyer2022-09-26 08:41:452022-09-19 17:01:41A simple oversight almost ruins a bucket list trip
View ICBIDT

Opinion

Super Cub landing

Which controls which? Throttle/elevator and airspeed/altitude

Opinion
There’s an old story about an insane asylum in which nobody ever thought up any new jokes, so all the old jokes were given numbers. This meant that telling a joke only required giving its number. In that same spirit, here is a list of arguments as to whether pitch or power controls airspeed or altitude. Now pilots can discuss the issue more succinctly by tossing numbers around.
Read more
19 Comments
/
March 8, 2023
https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/06140804/Bush-pilot-landing.jpg 841 1500 Ed Wischmeyer https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/06142440/Air-Facts-Logo340.jpg Ed Wischmeyer2023-03-08 08:55:552023-02-27 10:03:29Which controls which? Throttle/elevator and airspeed/altitude
J-3 Cub on floats

No good reason to fly, but this is why I do

Opinion
Flying is expensive, but then again, it has always been expensive. Perhaps you too have had enough of the touch-and-goes, and the "$100 dollar hamburger" flights to your favorite non-towered field. The thought of cruising the beach once again does not exactly motivate you to race to the airport. But I do it because it’s fun!
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6 Comments
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March 3, 2023
https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/06175846/Cub-on-floats.jpg 600 800 Skip Stagg https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/06142440/Air-Facts-Logo340.jpg Skip Stagg2023-03-03 09:00:412023-02-16 17:53:44No good reason to fly, but this is why I do
Cherokee 140

Reflections and predictions

Opinion
That new Cherokee 140 that came out of the factory with a sticker price of $12,000 is now going for 5 times that, even though it’s 55 years old.  It’s not hard to spend as much upgrading a panel as you spent for the whole airplane.
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5 Comments
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January 20, 2023
https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/06172110/Cherokee_140_Landing.jpg 480 720 Jay Wischkaemper https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/06142440/Air-Facts-Logo340.jpg Jay Wischkaemper2023-01-20 09:00:582023-01-27 17:26:42Reflections and predictions
View Opinion

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  • Tail rotor failure in the Grand Canyon
  • Protecting the Pitot-Static System … by making Safety a Habit
  • From the archives: What it takes to fly the President
  • Autopilots are underrated
  • Friday photo: Generations of air travel

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