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    I Can’t Believe I Did That

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    Pilot stories from around the world

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    Articles by Serrhel Adams

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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…

    Pilot error

    Pilot error or fumble?

    Dick's blog
    It has long been standard to use the term “pilot error,” as in 86-percent of fatal GA accidents are caused by pilot error. But that it were so simple. To me it really starts with a pilot fumble. The ball is dropped, but the option is still there to recover. The error comes when the pilot fails to recover.
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    11 Comments
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    August 20, 2015
    https://media.airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/06171551/AF-pilot-error-feature.jpg 280 520 Richard Collins https://media.airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/03140241/AF_Logo_24.png Richard Collins2015-08-20 15:21:582015-08-20 15:21:58Pilot error or fumble?

    Look beyond the hype – ICON just might help aviation

    John's blog
    It’s been nearly impossible to miss ICON for the last five years. The sexy design of the company’s amphibian light sport airplane has been matched only by the company’s sexy marketing. But now that ICON has finally delivered the first A5, it’s worth revisiting the project with an open mind. I see reasons for both hope and skepticism, but maybe more of the former.
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    21 Comments
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    August 18, 2015
    https://media.airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/06171610/AF-Icon-A5-feature.jpg 280 520 John Zimmerman https://media.airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/03140241/AF_Logo_24.png John Zimmerman2015-08-18 14:55:342015-08-18 14:55:34Look beyond the hype – ICON just might help aviation

    “What’s this button do?” Why you need to watch your passengers

    I was there
    Flying with passengers is a lot of fun, but you need to be on guard whenever someone is in the right seat - even if they're a pilot. A wary eye and a good pre-flight briefing is a start. But as this story proves, sometimes it's the little things you have to watch.
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    8 Comments
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    August 17, 2015
    https://media.airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/06171554/AF-copilot-seat-feature.jpg 280 520 Michael Janik https://media.airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/03140241/AF_Logo_24.png Michael Janik2015-08-17 12:00:472015-08-17 12:00:47“What’s this button do?” Why you need to watch your passengers

    Friday Photo: Denali from an Aerostar

    Friday Photo
    In the second installment of our Friday Photo series, Larry Baum shares a gorgeous shot of the famed Denali, from the cockpit of his Aerostar. Read about his long trip from New York to Alaska.
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    August 14, 2015
    https://media.airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/06171557/AF-Baum-Denali-Aerostar-feature.jpg 280 520 Larry Baum https://media.airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/03140241/AF_Logo_24.png Larry Baum2015-08-14 08:24:472015-08-14 08:24:47Friday Photo: Denali from an Aerostar

    The in-flight emergency nobody prepared me for

    I was there
    The flight in question was a routine one, with three jumpers who wanted to jump from 10,000 feet. I did the usual full-power climb to 10,000 and was right at the jump zone so was ready to reduce power and level off for the jump. Except I couldn't budge the throttle.
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    7 Comments
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    August 13, 2015
    https://media.airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/06171603/cessna-skydiving.jpg 280 520 Harry Clements https://media.airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/03140241/AF_Logo_24.png Harry Clements2015-08-13 17:38:482015-08-13 17:38:48The in-flight emergency nobody prepared me for

    Earning my “barnstormer rating” in a Beech 18

    My Adventure
    "I think I might fly the BE-18 a few minutes next week. If you want a sneak peek, the left seat is yours…” Dan said in a Facebook message to me. It didn’t take long for me to say that I’d be there if I could. You know, as long as the world didn’t end or something.
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    2 Comments
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    August 10, 2015
    https://media.airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/06171611/AF-Beech-18-Dan-feature.jpg 280 520 Dan Schmiedt https://media.airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/03140241/AF_Logo_24.png Dan Schmiedt2015-08-10 12:03:402015-08-17 15:33:25Earning my “barnstormer rating” in a Beech 18
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    John’s Blog

    The aviation community is alive and well

    John's blog
    Before the expletive could even leave my mouth, one of the FBO employees offered to lend me the crew car. I assumed the crew car option would be impossible, or at least impossibly bad manners, since the round trip would be nearly two hours and the FBO was closing soon. But he wouldn’t hear it: “take all the time you need and just drop the keys off with the night security guard. We appreciate your business.”
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    25 Comments
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    June 2, 2025
    https://media.airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/27151312/The-aviation-community-is-alive-and-well.png 1000 1250 John Zimmerman https://media.airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/03140241/AF_Logo_24.png John Zimmerman2025-06-02 08:54:432025-05-27 16:38:00The aviation community is alive and well

    The Starlink era is here—will we regret it?

    John's blog
    This promises to be a major advancement in cockpit technology, with benefits for pilots and passengers alike. But before diving headfirst into the Starlink pool, it would be wise to pause for just a moment and contemplate what we might lose. Don’t worry, I’m no Luddite and I’m not here to scare anyone away from an exciting new gadget. I am, however, an observer with enough experience to have seen technological breakthroughs bring unintended consequences. I fear that may happen here.
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    27 Comments
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    April 9, 2025
    https://media.airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17123837/Copy-of-The-Starlink-era-is-here%E2%80%94will-we-regret-it.png 1000 1300 John Zimmerman https://media.airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/03140241/AF_Logo_24.png John Zimmerman2025-04-09 08:55:152025-04-17 12:38:45The Starlink era is here—will we regret it?

    Pilot’s Bucket List: 11 Must-Do Adventures After Earning Your License

    John's blog
    Everyone's dream list will vary, but let me suggest 11 things that every pilot should do with their license. Call it a bucket list if you want, but I consider it a flight plan for a fulfilling life in the cockpit.
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    55 Comments
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    March 14, 2025
    https://media.airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/20101002/11-things-to-do-with-your-license.png 1000 1250 John Zimmerman https://media.airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/03140241/AF_Logo_24.png John Zimmerman2025-03-14 08:55:252025-03-23 14:20:58Pilot’s Bucket List: 11 Must-Do Adventures After Earning Your License
    View John’s Blog

    I Can’t Believe I Did That

    A Quarter Tank and a Prayer

    I Can't Believe I Did That
    I was watching the fuel gauges drop before my eyes. I elected to continue to ECG rather than turn back. I was on a direct course. The Norfolk controller wished me luck—not the most reassuring sign—and handed me off to ECG Tower, who had already been briefed.
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    13 Comments
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    June 20, 2025
    https://media.airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20175441/QUARTER-TANK-AND-A-PRAYER.png 1000 1250 Jeff Minck https://media.airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/03140241/AF_Logo_24.png Jeff Minck2025-06-20 08:55:212025-05-27 15:15:11A Quarter Tank and a Prayer

    Trial by Ice

    I Can't Believe I Did That, I was there
    The most valuable lesson I learned from the “School of Hard Knocks” had nothing to do with weather or instrument flying. The “trial by ice” was a lesson in the awesome responsibility that comes from occupying the left seat of an airplane, regardless of its size. It also taught me to recognize those rare and unusual emergency situations when going by the book is not safe, and when deviating from standard operating procedures or the Federal Air Regulations is not only warranted, but imperative.
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    31 Comments
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    May 5, 2025
    https://media.airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/16113809/trial-by-ice.png 1000 1250 Joel Turpin https://media.airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/03140241/AF_Logo_24.png Joel Turpin2025-05-05 08:10:022025-05-05 08:11:53Trial by Ice

    I Am UNSAFE Checklist—Lessons Learned on a Fateful Night

    I Can't Believe I Did That
    Very soon I was on the approach and thought I could still make 06C.  The ATIS called out the overcast at 800’ AGL, the minimum I needed (mistake #5—not mine, but it counted anyway.)  I held at 800’, assuming I’d see the runway lights below me and then I could continue to 06C.  As I crossed the runway threshold, it was solid IMC and I had to go missed.  I asked the Tower what the current ceiling was, and the response was that the ATIS was old and the ceiling was actually 400’ and you’ll have to go around. 
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    19 Comments
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    February 28, 2025
    https://media.airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/14102325/unsafe-checklist.png 1000 1250 Bob Hamilton https://media.airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/03140241/AF_Logo_24.png Bob Hamilton2025-02-28 08:55:512025-02-14 10:24:30I Am UNSAFE Checklist—Lessons Learned on a Fateful Night
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    Opinion

    ADS-Fee?

    Opinion
    Imagine flying out on a perfect CAVOK day to bathe in all that heavenly glory. Now imagine a few weeks later receiving a bill in the mail for a “landing” fee from an airport you, well, never landed at. Welcome to PLANEPASS!
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    20 Comments
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    June 16, 2025
    https://media.airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20091718/ADS-FEE.png 1000 1250 Alexander Sack https://media.airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/03140241/AF_Logo_24.png Alexander Sack2025-06-16 08:55:252025-05-27 10:58:00ADS-Fee?

    A Different Kind of Pilot Decision—Choosing Not to Fly

    I was there, Opinion
    In my airplane, I am the source of reliability—or unreliability. The flight doesn’t leave without me. If I don’t like the weather, I don’t go. If I need to divert, I can. I choose my departure time. I build in margins. And most importantly, I have the authority—and practice—to say “no.”
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    14 Comments
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    May 28, 2025
    https://media.airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/12100549/A-Different-Kind-of-Pilot-Decision%E2%80%94Choosing-Not-to-Fly.png 1000 1250 Serrhel Adams https://media.airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/03140241/AF_Logo_24.png Serrhel Adams2025-05-28 08:55:462025-05-27 15:18:53A Different Kind of Pilot Decision—Choosing Not to Fly

    What the Sky Taught Me

    Opinion
    Small airports hold a peculiar magic—they exist in the present moment while preserving a vision from long ago. For decades, I watched small aircraft come and go from these little strips, until at 49, that pull became a question I couldn't ignore: what was I missing by staying on the ground? What relationships—what dialogue—awaited me in the sky?
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    14 Comments
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    May 19, 2025
    https://media.airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/05164511/What-the-Sky-Taught-Me.png 1000 1250 Brian Siskind https://media.airfactsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/03140241/AF_Logo_24.png Brian Siskind2025-05-19 08:55:402025-05-05 16:45:35What the Sky Taught Me
    View Opinion

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