Aviation Safety

Mike Berry’s article comparing commercial aviation to general aviation (“As the Pro Flies?” January 2022) hits on many important points. I have studied general aviation’s safety record for many years, writing a master’s thesis on comparing these two aviation fields and trying to change this perplexing problem. I have not seen an appreciable change in […]

As this issue of the magazine headed off to the printer in late January, the furor over the impact on radar altimeters from rolling out 5G cellular service throughout the U.S. seemed to have died down. The FAA issued hundreds of Notams and two blanket ADs covering rotorcraft plus transport and commuter category airplanes making […]

The date was July 15, 2008. The private pilot had almost 1000 hours total time, and 44 in the TBM 700 accident aircraft. The airplane was landing at Cobb County International Airport-McCollum Field on Runway 9, elevation 1078 feet msl and more than 6300 feet long. It was on final approach to the runway in […]

Beechcraft A36 Bonanza Dislodged Oil Pan Heat Pad After removal of the left lower side engine compartment inspection panel, the left oil sump heater pad was found dislodged and wrapped around the throttle control arm and cable. Part total time: unknown Cessna 172N Skyhawk Lubricated Heater Valve Hinge During taxi, pilot reported smoke in the […]

Long ago and far, far away from where I am now, I was a relatively fresh private pilot attending college in a town sufficiently distant from my family’s home that impromptu visits were impractical. As a nationwide election approached, I realized the deadline for requesting an absentee ballot had come and gone, and I wouldn’t […]

November 4, 2021, Decatur, Ga. Cessna 172A At about 0947 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it was landed off-airport following engine failure. The solo student pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. Shortly after takeoff and while flying at 1500 feet msl, the student noted the engine began running rough, followed by […]

The circle-to-land maneuver at the conclusion of an instrument approach has earned a reputation over the years as one of the riskier things we can do in an airplane, to the extent many major carriers don’t allow their pilots to perform it—they want stabilized, “straight-in” or nothing. The good news is that’s not necessarily a […]

This change is an extensive update to the order that includes multiple amendments and corrections. Per FAA memorandum on NOTAM name modification in coordination with the FAA Administrator, the acronym NOTAM is updated from Notice to Airmen to the more applicable term Notice to Air Missions, which is inclusive of all aviators and missions.” So […]

The nighttime arrival at a familiar airport had gone smoothly. The runway I used was 5000-plus feet long, way more than my Debonair needed, so I let it roll a bit to save the brakes. I must have gotten distracted during the rollout because the next thing I noticed was the end of the runway […]

If there’s anything I wish I could do for aspiring pilots or those struggling through their basic training, it would be to teach them to fly an airplane before learning to drive a car. The two-dimensional thinking employed when operating a surface vehicle becomes dominant—probably because we spend more time in a car than in […]