Eyes in the Sky Enhancing ADS-B Services with the Pilot Reporting Tool By Elizabeth Keenan, FAA Surveillance and Broadcast Services As a pilot, you are a trusted, collaborative steward of the National Airspace System (NAS) and safety is at the forefront. However, even the most diligent pilot can only see so much. Fortunately, … Continued
Beware of Avionics Differences By Michael J. “Mick” Kaufman It has been a busy summer with flight training and three new instrument pilots. Congratulations to Andrew Marso of Franklin WI; Eli Judge of Whitefish, MT; and Kevin Ermis of Conover, WI and two more to finish this year. Along with the instrument … Continued
To Balk or Not to Balk, that is the Question. (Hamlet) And if so, how to do it better. By Hank Canterbury Why do so many Loss of Control [LOC] incidents / accidents happen on takeoff or during a go-around? The Airplane Owners & Pilots Association [AOPA] conducted a study of LOC accidents in … Continued
1. When may hazardous wind shear be expected? A. When stable air crosses a mountain barrier where it tends to flow in layers forming lenticular clouds B. Following frontal passage when stratocumulus clouds form indicating mechanical mixing. C. In areas of low-level temperature inversion, frontal zones, and clear air turbulence. D. In a tailing … Continued
What About Tailwind Takeoffs and Landings? By Jason Blair ATP, CF-I, MEI-I, AGI, FAA Designated Pilot Examiner Many CFIs and fellow pilots will extol the hard point, “you shall never take off or land with tailwind condition.” But, is it that hard and fast? Yes, and no. Some risks come with operating … Continued
Personal Weather Minimums and Weather Cameras Aeronautical decision-making (ADM) covers every task pilots perform from preflight to securing the aircraft after flight. How we go about gathering relevant information and acting appropriately on that information is critical to our success and sometimes, to our survival. One aspect of ADM is knowing … Continued
Mistakes Happen How the FAA’s Compliance Program Promotes Accountability for All Pilots By Jeffrey Smith, FAA Flight Standards Safety and Compliance Team “Mistakes happen.” Certainly not a profound statement and there are plenty of affirmations that can be found about mistakes, how to recover from them, and how to learn from them. … Continued
VFR Into IMC Conditions: Altitude is Your Friend! by Michael J. “Mick” Kaufman I recently received a text message from a friend, who was looking to purchase a PA32. He found an airplane at in Controller Aircraft Sales that he wanted me to look at. While I was looking in the publication, I noticed … Continued
The Dreaded Steep Turn Yes, you can fly and enjoy steep turns with precision! By Hank Canterbury Performing a “steep turn” does have a place in a pilot’s “bag of tricks.” Being able to accurately perform steep turns is a good indication of a pilot’s proficiency, knowledge, situational awareness and control smoothness. Done properly, steep … Continued
1. What is the obstacle clearance a pilot must maintain within 4 nm of mountainous terrain on an IFR flight that is cleared to operate VFR on top? A. 3,000’ AGL within any obstacles within 5 nm B. 2,000’ AGL within any obstacle within 4 nm C. 4,000’ AGL within any obstacle … Continued