John Zimmerman

John Zimmerman grew up in the back of small airplanes and moved to the front at age 16. He flies a Pilatus PC-12 and a Robinson R44.
John Zimmerman Monday, February 26, 2018

A Pilot’s Brain Can Play Mind Games

What does it mean to gain experience as a pilot? Some say it’s about “filling the experience bucket before you empty the luck bucket.” There’s a lot of truth to that old saw, but becoming a safe pilot surely means more than just racking up hours. After all, 10,000-hour ATPs are not immune to having […]

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John Zimmerman Monday, October 31, 2016

The FAA Regulation that Gives the PIC the Last Word

Shakespeare wrote that “brevity is the soul of wit,” but apparently that memo never made it to 800 Independence Ave. Any pilot who has spent more than a few minutes doing battle with the 3-inch-thick book of federal aviation regulations knows the FAA specializes in long, complex rules that try to cover every possible scenario. […]

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John Zimmerman Friday, July 15, 2016

The 4 Steps of Growing Up as a Pilot

As a kid, I always assumed there was some process by which you formally transitioned into adulthood, perhaps earning a badge that certified you had the knowledge to handle any situation life could throw at you. Grown-ups just seemed so different. Then I had kids of my own and realized everyone is faking it — […]

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