Pia Bergqvist

Fleet Aviation claims that it is the first provider of a computerized maintenance tracking program (CMTP) specifically designed for piston aircraft. The system allows aircraft owners to keep their maintenance records online, making them accessible from anywhere, and eliminating issues such as missing logbooks or flying an aircraft that is not in compliance with legal […]

With airplanes being as reliable as they are, it’s easy to have a little too much confidence in their ability to keep us flying. But if an engine failure were to rear its ugly face, you’ll be glad you spent some time anticipating its arrival. Always have a plan in mind for an engine failure […]

The 22nd annual Women in Aviation, International (WAI) convention was held last week at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada. Despite the dismal aviation economy and a severe winter storm, this year’s convention was visited by nearly 3,000 smiling attendees from 18 countries. Walking into the conference area, the theme “inspire, enthuse, innovate” was […]

Avidyne has achieved TSO and STC certification for its DFC100 digital flight control system designed for use with the Entegra Release 9 integrated flight deck system available in Cirrus SR20 and SR22 aircraft. This new integration may give the popular Garmin Perspective a run for its money. In addition to the flight director, altitude hold, […]

It is no wonder Cessna called the revolutionary tricycle landing gear Land-O-Matic when the company introduced it on the Cessna 172 in 1956. Tricycle equipped airplanes are simply easier to land. But that doesn’t mean that tailwheel aircraft are not worth flying. With the increased nose up angle of the fuselage, the propeller is further […]

During my time as a full time flight instructor, most of my students (including myself when I was training) took upwards of 70-80 hours to complete their private pilot certificates. This is about twice the number of hours the FAA requires to get the rating. There were many reasons for this, the most significant being […]

Having grown up in Sweden, English is my second language (ironically, I can’t write in Swedish to save my life). Learning English was a very gradual process that started around age 10. One song that we learned in Grade 4 or 5 – “An elephant on an orange” – still runs through my mind on […]

While most people start flight training because they’ve had a lifelong desire to learn to fly, some start training to overcome their fear of flying. During initial training, future pilots of both categories seem to have, if not a fear, a healthy respect for slow flight and stalls. Their bodies naturally feel that there is […]

When I was recently asked to fly from my home in Los Angeles to Paso Robles, I experienced an unfamiliar nervousness. Flying used to be second nature. It didn’t feel much more challenging than stepping into my car to drive to the grocery store. But I gave birth to a son in the summer of […]

The flight school where I completed most of my flight training and where I instructed for nearly two years is called Justice Aviation. Every year, Justice and a few other businesses at Santa Monica Airport host a Christmas party – an event I always attend to catch up with friends and former coworkers. This year, […]