Aviation Safety

Taking off: what could be better? You’re about to leave the Earth and do something few people can. When we forget about the possible complications takeoffs can pose, they seem so simple. Point the airplane down the runway. Advance the throttle. Maybe apply a little right rudder (unless you’re in a British airplane, which needs […]

Isn’t taxiing supposed to be one of the “easy parts” of being a pilot? At first glance, it might appear that taxiing an aircraft is much, much easier than flying it. A non-pilot might think, “There are really easy-to-read signs, just like on streets, right? You turn left, turn right, stop. Just like a car, […]

Anyone who paid attention to news coverage during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic likely is familiar with the term “personal protective equipment,” or PPE. In the medical profession, PPE can include masks, gloves, gowns, booties and more. But PPE isn’t only for doctors and nurses. Construction workers wear hardhats, steel-toed boots and Day-Glo […]

I’m writing to ask if Aviation Safety has ever done an article on the dangers of rolling Gs? During a recent DPE/CFI video conference, one CFI queried why do we still teach Lazy 8s and Chandelles and why are they still a requirement in the Commercial-Airplane Aircraft Certification Standards? I popped in and said because […]

I’ve often criticized airlines large and small over their flight crew hiring practices and, especially, the boom-and-bust nature of their characteristic binges when times are good and furloughs when they aren’t. We’re still mired in one of those cycles, thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, when no one was traveling and thousands of pilots were either […]

Cubcrafters CC18-180 Top Cub Cracked/Broken Exhaust Risers During annual inspection, found muffler end where riser attaches to be broken/cracked. Further examination found riser cracked (very tight) at weld joint. Part total time: 100.0 hours Cessna 152 Hole In Tailpipe During morning servicing of aircraft before being removed from the hangar, the technician noticed discoloration on […]

Flying for the most part is an enjoyable experience providing a wonderful break from the daily grind of earthbound life. However, the gods of flight do not take kindly to decisions based more upon self-assured hubris than a sober assessment of available options.  Part of the problem is that the more proficient you get, the […]

July 1, 2023, Cedar Rapids, Iowa Berkut 540 Experimental At about 0853 Central time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it was force-landed on a road after engine failure. The solo pilot was not injured. During initial climb, at around 3400 feet msl, the pilot realized the engine had lost partial power. Fuel pressure, fuel […]

Anyone familiar with accident investigation likely has heard the phrase “chain of events.” It refers to any number of factors contributing to the accident or its severity. Of course, the vast majority of accidents result from one or more mistakes made by a human, generally referred to as pilot error. Mechanical causes pose much less […]

Has this ever happened to you? You’re in the traffic pattern and trending high on final. The throttle is at idle and the airplane is fully configured to land. Initially there may be a temptation to push the nose down, but the extra airspeed will probably lead to significant float. Staying on the current approach […]