Hon. Bruce Landsberg Vice Chairman, National Transportation Safety Board [NTSB]   Ron Timmermans:   Hello, I’m Ron Timmermans from Orlando, Florida, a ground and flight training instructor for the Bonanza / Barron Pilot Training program or BPT, as we like to call it. Thank you for joining us for this BPT TAKEOFF interview today. I’m pleased … Continued

  Craig Kern ATP / MEL; Commercial ASEL & SES; CFI-A M&I; GI-A&I; Gold Seal Flight Instructor 12,000 flight hours / 8,600 instruction hours   BPT: What first attracted you to aviation – and why? CK: My father was a pioneer Eastern Air Lines Captain.  The experiences he shared piqued my interest in aviation. BPT: Craig, when and … Continued

Making It Count How Aircraft Transponder Signals Take the Guesswork Out of Counting Non-Towered Airport Operations   By Jennifer Caron, FAA Safety Briefing Copy Editor   “Many of the things you can count, don’t count. Many of the things you can’t count, really count.”— Albert Einstein “I always feel like the runway is just long … Continued

  1. In relation to operating expenses and compensation while you are acting as pilot in command, the regulations specify that as a private pilot you may: A. Not share the operating expenses with passengers B. Share the operating expenses with passengers C. Share the operating expenses with passengers and receive compensation from them for … Continued

Do You Remember How to Dance? By Michael “Mick” Kaufman I feel it is extremely important for a pilot to hand-fly a precision approach down to minimums. I ask, “Can they keep the localizer and glideslope needles within the two-degree circle on the CDI indicator or HSI?” Now, let’s add in a gusty 30-knot crosswind: … Continued

JOIN US IN-PERSON — OR ONLINE — IN  NORFOLK! Join us live and in-person – or remotely via Zoom / “Fly Later” —  for the following BPT Clinics: Norfolk, VA [KORF] November 5-7, 2021 Each unique weekend experience includes a comprehensive in-person ground school, followed by type-specific, full-immersion training in your aircraft. Clinics are custom-designed … Continued

  1. For private pilot operations, a second class medical certificate issued to a 42-year-old pilot on October 15, this year, will expire at midnight on: A. October 31, 5 years later B. October 31, 2 years later C. October 1, next year   2.  Aircraft position lights are required to be illuminated from: A. … Continued

Human Factors & Instrument Flight A Decade Ago by Michael J. “Mick” Kaufman  I have been quite active during the summer months doing accelerated instrument training, and reviewing and updating my PowerPoint presentations for the upcoming BPT Seminars. I was amazed at the changes in how we fly on instruments – all of which have … Continued

SPLAT! The Story of Snarge — Accidental “Meetings” Between Aircraft and Wildlife By James Williams, FAA Safety Briefing Associate Editor Snarge: (snärj) n. It’s the word used for what remains of a bird after it strikes an aircraft. It’s not pretty … and neither are the results of most bird collisions with aircraft, which seem … Continued

Get the Lead Out! Looking at the Future of Avgas   By Paul Cianciolo, FAA Safety Briefing Associate Editor There’s nothing better than the smell of avgas in the morning! Well, maybe the “sound of freedom” as a fighter jet soars by overhead may be better. Nevertheless, sampling aviation gas — avgas for short — … Continued