Readback: March 2017

Jeff Van West is one of my favorite modern-day aviation writers. His article, Seeing Double in the November issue is a fine example of Jeff taking us by the hand through important, but oft overlooked and esoteric aspects of our IFR life. But his use of the word declination instead of the correct word, variation, is a fingernail on the blackboard kind of irritant, if you remember blackboards. I have these old yellowed books that I studied in the 50s: AF Manual 51-40, Air Navigation Vol 1, by the Department of the Air Force (1959), page viii, and The American Flight Navigator by John Dohm (1958) page 324.

Key Takeaways:

• The letters section features several corrections and clarifications on aviation terminology, such as "declination" versus "variation," and definitions related to airport elevation.
• Readers raise practical IFR flying questions concerning discrepancies between filed and actual flight plans, as well as methods for maintaining pilot proficiency.
• The editorial staff provides detailed explanations for changes in aviation procedures (e.g., approach naming conventions due to updated obstacle analysis) and acknowledges reader feedback, including self-correction.
• The column also touches on broader topics, including the interpretation of a pilot's "heroism" and the applicability of aviation lessons to everyday life.

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