The Most Dangerous Place in Aviation – The Icy Airport Ramp? By Jason Blair, ATP, CFI-I, MEI-I, FAA Designated Pilot Examiner, AGI So, last winter I remember vividly the moment when I was lying in bed after a visit to my chiropractor thinking, “The most dangerous thing to me losing a medical might … Continued
Sharing is Caring How Voluntary Reporting Programs Benefit Everyone By Jeffrey Smith, FAA Field Support Program Office It’s a beautiful winter day with clear skies, unrestricted visibility, and no turbulence. You’re returning to your home base after getting lunch at a nearby airport. Your significant other is next to you, enjoying the benefits … Continued
Disclosing Drug & Alcohol Offenses Dr. Susan Northrup, FAA Federal Air Surgeon Most of you know that there are specific limits regarding alcohol consumption when you plan to fly. You must abstain from alcohol for at least 8 hours prior (12 hours in the military) and your blood alcohol level must be less than 0.04% … Continued
1. Which basic flight maneuver increases the load factor on an airplane as compared to straight-and-level flight? A. Turns B. Stalls C. Climbs D. Descents 2. Which instrument(s) will become inoperative if the static vents become clogged? A. Airspeed only B. Airspeed and altimeter C. Vertical speed and altimeter D. Airspeed, altimeter and vertical … Continued
By Jason Blair, ATP, CFI-I, MEI-I, FAA Designated Pilot Examiner, AGI Modern avionics systems help us with lots of things as pilots. They can help us with traffic separation, more accurately navigate approaches to minimums, better navigate enroute, and give us better situational awareness. But one thing they can’t do (yet, and for most … Continued
Keeping the Cabin Warm and Safe By Rebekah Waters FAA Safety Briefing Magazine In the early days of flying, pilots only had a few options for staying warm while flying in winter weather. Initially, flight suits were the only option. By WWII, the Air Force equipped its planes with a Type F-1A utility heater: a … Continued
Game On! Make That Field Without Power By Hank Canterbury During training for simulated forced landings, either on or off an airport, I often see pilots overshoot the touchdown zone at a high rate of speed and rebound back into the air after forcing the plane to touchdown before it’s ready. Unfortunately, this also happens … Continued
1. What feature is normally associated with the cumulus stage of a thunderstorm? A. Roll cloud B. Frequent lightning C. Continuous updraft D. Turbulence 2. One purpose of the dual ignition system on an aircraft engine is to provide for: A. Improved engine performance B. Reduction in detonation C. Uniform heat … Continued
Don’t Get Caught by the Cold By Jason Blair, FAA Designated Pilot Examiner, ATP, CFII, MEII, AGI Winter is here so it’s time to change our summer flying habits. Most pilots have read numerous articles about how to deal with icing or how to start their aircraft when it is cold … Continued
What Happens to Your Passengers if Something Happens to You? The luckiest pilot on the planet is the one whose spouse or partner likes flying together. That opens up a world of places your plane can take you and reasons to fly there. But many of those frequent flyer passengers have … Continued