Pia Bergqvist

The heading bug is a great flying tool, particularly when you’re flying IFR. But whether you have your instrument ticket or not, the heading bug can also be quite helpful on the ground on windy days, in any airplane, but especially if you’re flying a taildragger. After you check the ATIS, set the heading bug […]

Cliff Robertson died on Saturday, Sept. 10, at the age of 88. An accomplished actor with a passion for aviation, Robertson won the Academy Award (Oscar), Emmy Award (Television), Theater World Award (Stage) and Advertising Age Award (TV Commercial) during his acting career, which spanned about five decades. He also received several aviation honors, including […]

(September 2011) Anyone who’s been around aviation for any length of time knows that there’s no such thing as a perfect airplane. As good as they are when they come out of the factory, they can almost always be made better with the application of some ingenuity and some well-thought-out hardware. Seemingly simple solutions and […]

In my last blog, I spoke about the value of keeping quiet as an instructor to allow the student time to recognize and correct mistakes that don’t pose a safety threat. On the other end of the spectrum, it is helpful to talk to yourself in the cockpit. This practice is helpful for all pilots, […]

The third midair collision this summer in Alaska has claimed another life. Scott Veal, 24, died when his Cessna 208 Caravan collided with a Cessna 207 flown by Kristen Sprague, 26, six miles north of Nightmute, according to Alaska State Troopers. At the time of the collision, the two pilots were the sole occupants of […]

Flexjet’s fractional jet ownership program recently announced it will become the launch customer for the Bombardier Learjet 85 currently under development. The initial order is for seven airplanes. “Flexjet is thrilled to offer its owners the first opportunity to experience private aviation at its very best aboard the all-new Learjet 85 aircraft,” Fred Reid, Flexjet’s […]

After the retirement of the space shuttle program this summer, the government’s support of emerging commercial space travel continues. The FAA has issued grants to three licensed Spaceports to aid in the efforts of expanding the infrastructure of commercial space transportation. “These grants will go a long way toward meeting President Obama’s National Space Policy […]

In the Los Angeles basin, there is a phenomenon called the marine layer. Low clouds move in from the ocean and create IFR conditions at the airports close to the shoreline. At Santa Monica Airport, the ATIS may report 700 feet overcast, but that may mean that there is an overcast layer on the ocean-side […]

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) filed a joint opening brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit opposing the FAA’s major revisions to the Block Aircraft Registration Request (BARR) program. The associations argue that the revisions are illegal and should be […]

_(September 2011) _Just fly it like a Cessna 172,” said Tecnam’s demo pilot David Lubore as we approached to land at Plant City Airport (KPCM) in Florida, just west of Lakeland Linder Airport, at the completion of our demo flight. I set the airplane up on downwind at around 90 knots with the gear down. […]