Search Results for: Cessna 172

A pilot recently posted a video on YouTube and suggested his fellow aviators have a look. He was showing off his new GoPro camera setup in a Cessna 172. As the video starts, the first thing the viewer sees is the pilot taxiing toward the departure runway while simultaneously texting on his smartphone. The airplane […]

About 95 people signed up to speak at the Santa Monica City Council meeting on Tuesday night regarding a landing fee of $5.48 per 1,000-pounds imposed on all airplanes touching down at Santa Monica Airport. After several hours of public input, the City Council deliberated for only a few minutes before voting unanimously for the […]

In our FBO Spotlight series, we’re highlighting FBOs around the country that have received rave reviews from our readers. This latest Spotlight is brought to you by Ron Sterba, who recently flew into McNary Field Airport in Salem, Oregon in a Cessna 172. Here’s what he had to say about the airport’s FBO, Salem Aviation […]

The concept was new to me when I first started teaching in high-performance aircraft: There are pre-chosen settings for aircraft power and configuration, i.e., flap and landing gear position, that result in predictable performance. Set the power, establish the configuration, and the airplane will perform as expected. Manage the drag (with gear and flaps) and power (manifold pressure and propeller, turbine speed or pressure) and the airplane will attain the proper airspeed and vertical speed for an approach or a missed approach.

In our FBO Spotlight series, we’re highlighting FBOs around the country that have received rave reviews from our readers. This latest Spotlight is brought to you by Bruce Barber, who recently flew into Minnesota’s Worthington Municipal Airport in a Cessna 172. Here’s what he had to say about one of the airport’s FBOs, Integrity Aviation: […]

The hustle and bustle of large airports and the appeal of travel got Jim Corbo hooked on the idea of a career as an airline pilot.| It’s been a long time since the uniform included a white silk scarf. But few job titles get more immediate respect, and let’s face it — awe — than […]

Three months after his harrowing collision with an SUV during an approach to Northwest Regional Airport (52F) near Roanoke, Texas, Will Davis has earned his Private Pilot Certificate. The pilot’s wife witnessed the collision and shot a video, which went viral and created a lot of media attention. In interviews shortly after the accident, Davis […]

At about 2240 Central time, the airplane collided with terrain during an uncontrolled descent. The student pilot and two passengers were fatally injured; the unregistered airplane was destroyed. The unauthorized flight was conducted in night instrument conditions.

Each of us flies for different reasons. Many pilots started (or continue) as enthusiasts interested in airplanes as recreational machines. Others learned to fly as a prelude to a career in the cockpit. For many, aircraft primarily are a means of transportation for business or personal reasons. In fact, if I did not require an airplane for travel, I would not bother to fly any more. If you seek to use general aviation aircraft for travel, I believe a special approach to safety—implemented through targeted training and consistent flight operations—is required, especially if you are trying to meet any kind of schedule. Unfortunately, our training and operating procedures generally don’t prepare us for these flights. It is possible, however, to achieve high levels of safe utility, even with single-engine piston aircraft, if you employ a few simple techniques to achieve efficiency and reliability while managing risk.

ATIS “Tango” was advertising 43 degrees C when we landed Sunday afternoon. Although I’m “mathematically challenged” I think that works out to about 110 degrees F, which might explain the eerie quiet on the Lunken tower frequency. David Zombek had just flown an outstanding private pilot check ride in the 172. He’d worked long and […]