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Coming from an aviation family, John grew up in the back of small airplanes and learned to fly as a teenager. Ever since, he has been hooked on anything with wings and regularly flies a Citabria, a Pilatus PC-12, and a Cirrus SR22. He is an ATP and also holds ratings for multiengine, seaplanes, gliders, and helicopters. In addition to being Editor-in-Chief of Air Facts, John is the President of Sporty’s.
Latest posts by John Zimmerman (see all)
- Weather flying means learning to read clouds - November 11, 2024
- What’s wrong with the teardrop pattern entry - September 25, 2024
- What matters for VFR proficiency: better landings - August 26, 2024
I think DPs in general are vastly understated and underutilized – especially ODPs (Obstacle Departure Procedures). These safety procedures are put into effect for a very good reason: To keep pilots from running their airplanes into obstructions. Anytime you are operating at night or during periods of reduced visibility you should let these invaluable charts guide your thinking when you are departing a terminal area with known high terrain or obstructions. A case in point is the tragic event in January 2003 just north of Scottsdale, AZ. An older couple from Utah were departing in an Aerostar 601P on a beautifully clear but very dark winter night from the Scottsdale airport on route to Santa Fe, NM. Instead of turning north and climbing via the standard DP after taking off to the northeast, they turned further to the northeast (approximately 055 degrees) and climbed straight ahead into a peak in the McDowell Mountains. I would urge all pilots (including VFR only pilots) to be familiar with the OIS (Obstacle Identification Surface) as described in the AIM section 5-2-8 and the “Departure Procedures” section of chapter 2 in the “Instrument Procedures Handbook”, FAA-H-8261-1.
Really enjoy these quizzes! Nice Job!
On “Your airplane has a Garmin GNS 530W on board. Can you fly an RNAV departure?” You might want to choose a DP that is not turbojet only… But fun quiz.
If you made up a booklet of practical questions like this getting a pilot ready for the IFR checkride, myself and many other people would pay good money for it. Loved it, great work!