Search Results for: Cessna 172

One problem instrument rating students often face, once they’ve learned the basics of a particular instrument rating maneuver, is how to practice regularly enough to solidly reinforce what they’ve learned. There’s always the next airplane lesson, of course, or a flight training device. FTDs have, in fact, become an extremely popular way for instrument students […]

We took up Flight1 Tech on the invitation to fly its latest Enterprise G1000 advanced aviation training device while at EAA AirVenture, to take a look at the details incorporated into the simulator that serve to make for a top-notch training experience. Flight1 Tech founder Jim Rhoads has been working in simulation for more than […]

Honeywell acquired Tru-Trak Flight Systems, to establish a series of autopilots for experimental and certified aircraft. The acquisition will become part of Honeywell’s BendixKing business unit. Tru-Trak Flight Systems has a well-known and regarded line of affordable autopilots for a wide range of aircraft. As part of the transition, the current CEO and owner of […]

Dynon Certified, a division of Dynon Avionics based in Woodinville, Washington, today announced a significant expansion of the Approved Model List STC for its SkyView HDX line of products that will allow the products to be installed in nearly nearly 600 type-certified single-engine aircraft. SkyView HDX is Dynon’s top-of-the line avionics suite. Features include primary […]

When I first began chatting with Rebekah Robertson about her recent upgrade to captain on one of Trans States Airlines EMB 145s, she said the process reminded her of her early days as a flight instructor. Training for the flight instructor certificate includes learning to fly and reach for the appropriate switches from the right […]

Pilots who fly with Garmin’s latest G1000 NXi integrated flight deck know the truth: Once you go NXi, you’ll never want to go back. The upgraded version of the original G1000 flight deck is offered in a long list of new GA aircraft, and is quickly making its mark in the retrofit market as well. […]

By now you might be growing tired of talk of the upcoming ADS-B mandate. While avionics producers and installers likely are more welcoming of the regulation because it has spurred business for them, it’s becoming a source of stress for aircraft owners and operators who have not already found a good solution. Sevan Gerard and […]

If youre like me, youve been watching the ongoing saga of Boeing and its 737 MAX. The gist of it for our purposes is that the new MAX versions of the 737 are powered by larger-diameter engines than the type was originally designed to accommodate. Since the 1980s-when Boeing switched from the types original low-bypass Pratt & Whitney JT8D engines to the CFM International CFM56-the reduced ground clearance when mounting high-bypass powerplants featuring improved fuel economy has required flattening the bottom of the cowlings. It was cheaper and easier than redesigning the landing gear, which is too short to accommodate the larger engines.

The only time Ive performed what I consider to have been a for-real high-altitude takeoff, it went fine. I was at Albuquerque, N.M.s Double Eagle II airport, elevation some 5800 feet. It wasnt the middle of summer, but it was a warm, sunny fall afternoon. I dont recall which runway I used, but it offered more than enough length for my Debonair, which carried only me, some gear and full fuel. As Id been trained, I leaned the engine before the takeoff and let the airplane fly itself off the runway. I handled it gently until gaining enough airspeed to establish a proper climb and I had some altitude.

After a low pass over the field, the pilot returned to land. On final approach, he was blinded by [the] sun and the tailwheel hit vines growing near the airstrip, causing the airplane to stall. The left wing, left main landing gear and propeller were damaged during the hard landing. According to the NTSB, [b]ecause the pilot did not hold a current pilot certificate, nor did he meet the medical certification requirements, he was not legally authorized to act as pilot-in-command of the airplane at the time of the accident.