New Articles
My first in-flight emergency
byWhen it came time to leave, I fueled up the airplane and headed for home. The runup went smoothly and within a few minutes I was accelerating down the runway. Only I wasn’t. The mighty 150 usually didn’t have an impressive acceleration on takeoff but it felt especially sluggish today. I remember thinking, “This is weird,” and that thought turned to, “I’m not sure I’m going to make it off the runway” so I aborted the takeoff.
From the archives: Bob Buck on radar
byWhile datalink weather is all the rage these days, some 60 years ago, Captain Robert N. Buck thought another hot weather technology, onboard radar, was ready to change the world. This article originally appeared in the November, 1956 edition of Air Facts, and it’s still a fascinating look at how pilots interact with new technology.
The unleaded fuel disaster – what it means for pilots
byThe transition from leaded avgas to an unleaded future has been decades in the making, and countless articles have discussed everything from the certification process to the chemistry. And yet many pilots don’t know how bad things are right now, as other topics (ADS-B, drones) get most of the attention.
Friday Photo: leaving storms on the other side of the mountains
bySometimes the ever-changing weather means you have to be patient and creative. For corporate pilot Duane Mader, the reward for one of those days was a beautiful view of the Wyoming Big Horns from his CJ2. As he was climbing VFR and waiting to pick up an IFR clearance, it occurred to Duane that that type of maneuvering is true freedom.
The pre-preflight inspection: know your plane’s history
byMy plan was on my kneeboard, my chart on the passenger seat and I was heading north above a sea of green trees, bound for Sullivan County Airport (MSV). Suddenly, all of the lights on my instrument panel went dead. As quickly as they went off, the lights returned.
10 ways to know you’re ready to be an airline captain
byI completed my line check last night, which went pretty smooth overall. I screwed up the usual stupid stuff you don’t normally screw up, but because the weight of the check is present in your head and really nowhere else, this stuff happens. I am left with the feeling of what now?
Video tip: seven bad radio habits
byTalking on the radio is an important skill for any pilot, but especially for instrument pilots where ATC interaction is what it’s all about. Sometimes it’s not what you say but what you don’t say that matters. In this video tip, we share seven things you should not say on the radio. From the improper use of “roger” to using too much information, don’t make these mistakes!
A 1200 nm VFR workout
byAfter a few days of poor weather conditions and unplanned maintenance, on Saturday August 4, I finally took to the skies in our club’s (Lehigh Valley Flying Club) Cessna 182 to visit my nephew and some friends in Tennessee. The 600 nm (each way) adventure tested my endurance, weather knowledge, aircraft management, and ability to pre-plan and adjust to conditions.
Friday Photo: Mt. Ida, British Columbia
byOftentimes all you have to do to get a great photo is to look outside. In this gorgeous photo from Clint Schamehorn, Mother Nature sets the scene perfectly, with high broken clouds, a setting sun, and the dramatic shape of Mt. Ida in the foreground. Not bad for a flight where the only mission was “boring holes in the sky.”
John's Blog
The unleaded fuel disaster – what it means for pilots
byThe transition from leaded avgas to an unleaded future has been decades in the making, and countless articles have discussed everything from the certification process to the chemistry. And yet many pilots don’t know how bad things are right now, as other topics (ADS-B, drones) get most of the attention.
I’ve got connections
byWhat is aviation, in a word? Many writers have tried to answer that question, and the word mentioned most often is freedom. Aviation sets you free, whether it’s freedom from the ground-bound view of the world or freedom from everyday worries. That’s certainly true, but I’d like to offer another nominee, even if it’s not as poetic: connection.
The bad news and good news about engine failures
byYou’ve probably said it to a nervous passenger: “Don’t worry, airplane engines almost never quit.” It’s only in World War II movies that engines cough and pilots have to save the day, right? This is mostly true for turbine engines, which have a stunningly good reliability record. Unfortunately, it’s far less true for piston engines.
