Aviation Safety

Departures – even in VFR conditions – can cause trouble if rising terrain lurks ahead, hidden by darkness or clouds

Handheld avionics can improve both safety and convenience, but the jury is out on just how portable they need to be

While not quite an emergency in GA airplanes, flap failures can lead to mishaps due to distractions and handling differences

Accuracy approach and steep spiral, newly added to the PTS for several certificates, help hone skills you can use every flight

Pattern errors and a tight turn put inexperienced Grumman pilot into a coffin corner from which he cant escape

By the time I realized what had happened, I was in the back seat and the airplane was headed straight down.

When the proud owners too proud, it may be time for someone else to check things out

Aztec may lose elevator bungee spring, resulting in pitch handling difficulties

The nuances of special VFR are extreme, and sometimes the controllers are baffled, too

At about 1200 mountain time, a Piper PA-22-150 crashed about five miles west of Garryowen, leaving the pilot and passenger seriously injured. Authorities received an ELT hit at about 1200 and the aircraft was located at 1339. The passenger said they had been hunting coyotes at the time of the accident. The pilot died four days later….