Pilot Proficiency

When you’re flying into an airport where there’s a lot of jet traffic, controllers often ask you to keep things going fast. They might say, “best forward speed,” “maintain 160 knots,” or something to that effect, but the desired outcome is the same regardless of who you are: They want you in your piston airplane […]

A letter was issued to the FAA last week by the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) and AOPA criticizing the recent unannounced but significant changes to the FAA knowledge test question database. Noticeable changes have appeared for the airline transport pilot (ATP), flight engineer (FE) and fundamentals of instruction (FOI) tests, and others may […]

(February 2011) — When we shoved open the door of the disreputable little shack, six, maybe seven, pairs of eyes swung in our direction and their expressions read, “Either these two are lost or they just arrived from another planet.” In our pastel wool winter coats, white gloves, pumps and those little lace veils women […]

In last week’s Flying newsletter, our editor-in-chief Robert Goyer wrote about a study that AOPA conducted to find out why a staggering number of student pilots drop out prior to completing their license. It found that, in making the decision to continue flight training, the quality of instruction and sense of community were more important […]

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 […]

(February 2011) — Joe Biden came to visit last Memorial Day weekend. I wish he had called first so I could have invited him for an airplane ride. Sunday morning, May 30, was beautiful on eastern Long Island. You could almost see Ireland, and it was as calm as a lobster on lithium. On days […]

It hasn’t happened very often this winter: For one full day last week, the weather from Maine to Florida was severe VFR. I’d been keeping an eye on the long-range forecast for days in a sincere desire to avoid areas of icing for a planned trip from New Jersey to North Carolina. Never once did […]

No doubt you’ve heard by now that Congress has ordered the FAA to add photos and biometric data to all pilot certificates, which would have to be renewed every eight years with a new photo at an out-of-pocket cost to you of $22. Or maybe it’s $50. Or maybe it’s more than that. Nobody’s really […]

While driving back the other day after a particularly challenging horse jump lesson, I realized there are many similarities between horseback riding and flying. It reminded me that – as with any sport – I need to walk before I run. There is a progression of skill, and nothing but experience can advance me to […]

This will be my last week passing along bits of aviation wisdom. It has been an honor for you all to invite me into your email inboxes for the past three years as Flying’s Online Editor. Steve Pope will be taking over the primary responsibilities for the Flying eNewsletter with the next issue, and I […]