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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…

Boeing 787

The Boeing 787’s ten years of service—a pilot perspective

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a marvel that serves as a reference for anything that came after: quieter, smoother, more fuel efficient than any other jetliner designed before or after. From my perspective, having spent almost four years flying it (nearly half of its service time) and logging over 2300 flight hours in one of the pilot seats, I really feel proud of the level the 787 has brought me as a professional.

RHP

<img width="495" height="400" src="https://airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/KRHP_from_the_air-495x400.jpg" class="wp-image-23860 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-23860 attachment-portfolio size-portfolio wp-post-image" alt="RHP" srcset="https://airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/KRHP_from_the_air-495x400.jpg 495w, https://airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/KRHP_from_the_air-845x684.jpg 845w" sizes="(max-width: 495px) 100vw, 495px" />

It’s time to reform Obstacle Departure Procedures

What’s the most overlooked and misunderstood part of IFR flying? I nominate the obstacle departure procedure (ODP). While almost any instrument pilot can recite trivia like holding pattern entries or VOR test requirements—important but relatively rare procedures—many are quite shaky on ODPs. That’s a shame, because ignorance of this procedure can be fatal.

Friday Photo: Denali

Denali is the highest mountain peak in North America, but it's surprisingly easy to see—thanks to airplanes like the Turbine Otter. That's the view Craig Bixby shares in this Friday Photo, with the snow-capped mountain peak framed under the wing of the rugged bush plane. Definitely a must-see on any trip to Alaska.

Towbar

There’s a reason we use checklists

I had pulled my airplane from the hangar as Bill advanced the throttle and began moving from the hangar area to the taxiway. I glanced over and I had this impression that something wasn’t quite right. I didn’t see or hear anything to reinforce that impression and I turned back to my own task at hand to continue the preflight of my plane.

172 landing

<img width="495" height="321" src="https://airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/cessna-172-landing.jpg" class="wp-image-15207 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-15207 attachment-portfolio size-portfolio wp-post-image" alt="172 landing" srcset="https://airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/cessna-172-landing.jpg 627w, https://airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/cessna-172-landing-300x194.jpg 300w, https://airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/cessna-172-landing-370x240.jpg 370w, https://airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/cessna-172-landing-570x369.jpg 570w, https://airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/cessna-172-landing-463x300.jpg 463w" sizes="(max-width: 495px) 100vw, 495px" />

The (unofficial) rules of flying

The following are a collection of rules or sayings I have collected, borrowed, and forgot to return later—filing off the serial numbers or just stolen over the years. They come from different times, from a variety of situations, and from pilots I have known and flown with. Some of the rules you may already know.

Stretch the glide

Don’t stretch the glide—easier said than done

The wind had seriously increased while we were aloft and on downwind I realized we were too far out when I turned base. I was getting a close-up view of the trees at the end of runway 11. I did two things, one of which was apparently necessary. One was fighting the urge to raise the nose. The other was to continue a conversation with the passenger so our landing would appear normal, not frightening.

John’s Blog

RHP

<img width="495" height="400" src="https://airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/KRHP_from_the_air-495x400.jpg" class="wp-image-23860 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-23860 attachment-portfolio size-portfolio wp-post-image" alt="RHP" srcset="https://airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/KRHP_from_the_air-495x400.jpg 495w, https://airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/KRHP_from_the_air-845x684.jpg 845w" sizes="(max-width: 495px) 100vw, 495px" />

It’s time to reform Obstacle Departure Procedures

What’s the most overlooked and misunderstood part of IFR flying? I nominate the obstacle departure procedure (ODP). While almost any instrument pilot can recite trivia like holding pattern entries or VOR test requirements—important but relatively rare procedures—many are quite shaky on ODPs. That’s a shame, because ignorance of this procedure can be fatal.

General aviation trends in charts—2021 update

Four years ago, I tried to capture the state of general aviation in 12 charts, covering everything from new airplane shipments to fatal accident rates. An industry as varied as general aviation cannot be summed up in a few charts, but sometimes graphics tell the story better than thousands of words. Many things have changed since 2017—some for the better—so I thought it was time for an update.

Light rain

The right pilot mindset: realistic, not conservative

You’ve heard the cliche: flying isn’t dangerous, it’s just unforgiving. The unforgiving nature of aviation has serious consequences, which we should remember every time we sit in the left seat. The stakes are simply higher than in almost any other part of life, so our day-to-day risk management tools are not enough.

View John’s Blog

I Can’t Believe I Did That

W&B form

Flying loaded: what could possibly go wrong?

I Can't Believe I Did That

I knew we were very heavy and would need much more runway than usual to take off, but was really surprised when the nose lifted off before we were even at 40 knots. We were gaining speed slowly, but it needed a lot more nose down trim, and finally at around 110 knots airspeed we lifted off the runway, at the exact moment I ran out of forward trim.

Blimp

Close call with a blimp

I Can't Believe I Did That

Like all pilots, I don't like to talk about the stupid things I did in the early days of my flying career. I have filed this one (along with a few others) in the file that says "never again." A big lesson was learned that night, and I made myself a promise to never again make low passes in an aircraft.

Cockpit view

Get-home-itis: be on the lookout

I Can't Believe I Did That

During a recent long day of flying I had a chance to experience aviation’s version of completion bias—the drive to complete a flight—also known as get-home-itis. I learned a great deal from it and want to share the experience. First the set up and then we’ll unpack what I did right and wrong.

Opinion

172 landing

<img width="495" height="321" src="https://airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/cessna-172-landing.jpg" class="wp-image-15207 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-15207 attachment-portfolio size-portfolio wp-post-image" alt="172 landing" srcset="https://airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/cessna-172-landing.jpg 627w, https://airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/cessna-172-landing-300x194.jpg 300w, https://airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/cessna-172-landing-370x240.jpg 370w, https://airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/cessna-172-landing-570x369.jpg 570w, https://airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/cessna-172-landing-463x300.jpg 463w" sizes="(max-width: 495px) 100vw, 495px" />

The (unofficial) rules of flying

The following are a collection of rules or sayings I have collected, borrowed, and forgot to return later—filing off the serial numbers or just stolen over the years. They come from different times, from a variety of situations, and from pilots I have known and flown with. Some of the rules you may already know.

The art of staying at home—a letter from a monk to pilots

Flying at 500 feet off the shore or ruttering S-turns over the river is one of the most meditative things I’ve ever done. Thoreau, who as Pico Iyer reminds us was “one of the greatest explorers of this time,” wrote in his journal, “It matters not where or how far you travel—the farther commonly the worse—but how much alive you are.” Flying the Cub with the doors and windows open is the most alive I’ve ever felt.

Aeronca 7AC

The rising cost of membership in club general aviation

Recently I’ve read a few aviation blogs that suggest hangars are in short supply. Based on my observations over the past several years, I would tend to agree with that statement. What is interesting to me however, is the fact that at several of the general aviation airports I’ve visited, many hangars are filled with “hangar queens.”

More Articles

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