Features

A pilot girds for attempting GPS approaches for the first time.

A safety pilot or instructor is in the right seat to look out for traffic and aircraft control while the new GPS owner briefs himself (again) on his toy. The two pilots go over the planned approach and probably program it into the box while still on the ground.

They take off and fly away from the airport to check out operation of the moving map and make sure the simple-looking en route stuff really is simple. That part probably goes pretty smoothly, and soon theyre emboldened and ready to make the first approach. Maybe the left seater goes under the hood. Maybe he doesnt.

ATC gives the pilot vectors to the final appr…

A student pilot was preflighting the cockpit of a Cessna 152, and as part of his routine, was checking the travel and friction of the throttle, mixture and carb heat knobs. Most pilots dont do this, but it was the detailed, deliberate and particular nature of this individual to check just about everything possible on the plane.

He was the kind of guy who would occasionally find himself the subject of some good-natured jokes from the other side of the FBO windows that faced the ramp, many of which were probably the result of a common, unspoken jealousy for a lack of a similar thoroughness. You can well imagine that the jokes came to a rapid stop the day he cycled the mixture from full lea…

Aviation, its been said, is intolerant of carelessness or neglect. Most pilots are concerned about their safety, at least to some extent, and pay more than lip service to keeping their skills sharp and their airplane worthy.

As human beings, however, its impossible to know everything about the airplane, the pilot, the trip and the weather. Trust is an inherent part of flying. You trust your mechanic to have competently maintained the airplane. You trust the briefer to provide you with a reasonably accurate picture of the weather en route. You trust controllers to sequence you safely and FAA technicians to properly maintain nav aids.

While many people think of flying as you against…

When it comes to capturing the imagination of old and young, sport fliers and professionals, nothing can beat the appeal of warbirds. Antique biplanes and World War II fighters have been popular for years, and recently the availability of former Eastern Bloc jet fighter trainers has expanded the appeal of very hot airplanes among those who have ridden the stock market (among other things) to riches.

But just as its said that a fool and his money are soon flying more airplane than he can handle, the accident record for warbirds paints a very discouraging picture. Valuable and irreplaceable aircraft, including P-51 Mustangs, hit the ground for reasons that can only be described as irration…

For many pilots, the end of the flight is the beginning of a routine. They land, taxi to the ramp, go into the FBO.

If theyre planning another leg, theyll order fuel, use the restroom, check the weather and maybe have a snack. They pay the fuel bill and walk back to the plane.

If theyre home or planning to spend a day or two, they put in a fuel order and leave.

Sometimes its the worst thing you can do.

For example, a Cessna 421C crashed in good weather in San Antonio, Texas, killing the pilot and one passenger instantly. Another passenger was seriously injured and died several days later. The pilots gamble came during the preflight and engine runup.

The flight was opera…

Researchers conclude instrument design can prevent disorientation and flight into terrain. Now to work it into cockpits.

Stress and depression can become debilitating enough to cost you your medical, but non-drug treatment can keep you safe and legal.

Oft-neglected when it comes to training and maintenance, autopilots rely on lots of stuff working perfectly.

Fly this trip? Heck, this Baron pilot belonged at home in bed rather than ducking below minimums.

Situational awareness is more than knowing where you are; it means knowing how the flights history affects its future.