Pia Bergqvist

These days, insurance companies have become savvy about the level of pilot experience that decreases the chances of an accident. They often require a minimum number of hours in a type of airplane before you can fly it solo and still be covered. But if you want to increase safety and ensure that you know […]

Tecnam has just increased the versatility of its popular P92 high-wing LSA series airplanes by introducing an amphibious version, the P92 Sea-Sky Hydroplane. This seaplane model will be offered for both the Echo Classic and its slightly larger and faster sibling, the Eaglet. Flight tests are in progress and the only performance numbers available so […]

(January 2012) You’re most likely carrying fewer and fewer or perhaps even no charts around after the introduction of aviation chart applications for electronic flight bags such as the iPad, and there’s no longer a need to carry a separate flight computer since there are apps for that too. With less and less stuff required […]

After much speculation about the future of the Reno Air Races, Mike Houghton – the president and CEO of the Reno Air Race Association (RARA) – announced in a news conference on Jan. 4 the 49th Annual National Reno Air Races at Reno-Stead Airfield, to be held on Sept. 12 through 16. And while this […]

__Ever since major airplane manufacturers such as Cessna and Piper moved the third wheel from the rear of the fuselage to the front in the 1950s, most new single-engine airplanes have been delivered with tricycle gear. Some people question why anyone would fly a taildragger since the nosewheel-configured airplanes simply are easier to take off […]

The FAA recently released a proposed rule for a gradual but major reduction in the VOR navigation system in the United States. The proposal transitions navigation services to performance-based navigation (PBN) such as GPS and WAAS, and would only maintain the VORs located at what the FAA calls the “Core 30” airports around the country. […]

The recently implemented FAA rules on pilot fatigue for airline pilots made me ponder the importance of being alert when flying. If you’re not on your game it’s easy to nod off, particularly if you’re flying with an autopilot, and the consequences can be devastating. It’s worth taking an extra step in the prefight process […]

What is one thing not commonly taught to primary students that can help them manage the risks associated with flying? John King, along with his wife and business partner, Martha, owns King Schools. John and Martha have been learning about and teaching flying full time since 1975. They both have every FAA category and class […]

Pilot incapacitation contributes to very few accidents. But even if you’re in good health, you can never predict when you will become medically debilitated. If you become one of those unfortunate few, you’ll be very happy knowing there is a backup pilot in the cockpit that can get you down safely. If you fly regularly […]

With the year coming to an end, the National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) has selected the “Class of 2012,” the new members which will be enshrined into the NAHF in a ceremony next fall. Like most years in the 50-year history of the NAHF, four aviation pioneers are being honored for their contributions to […]