Early in our flying careers, we do everything by the book. Watching a flight schools ramp, its not at all uncommon to see a student peering intently back and forth between the airplanes POH and, say, the engine compartment. We check everything during the preflight, even if the tires are still warm from the squawk-free flight just concluded.
There’s a crosswind. A stiff one. Yuck. I sigh and do a conscious file-sort through the very dusty bins in the back of my brain. Let’s see. Slip to the left and land left-wheel first, being careful not to overreact on these super-light controls, be ready to add a little power if it bounces, and […]
It’s been 100 years since Continental built its first engine, and Continentals have powered dozens of milestone airplanes, but its storied history is as much a rap against the company as it is an undeniable measure of success. Most pilots incorrectly believe that Continental is building the same engines the same way it has for […]
I am being a recalcitrant student. “Put the heading bug on the airport runway heading,” my friend Bruce says. “Why?” “That way you’ll know which way the runway heading is,” he answers. “Or,” I reply, “I can just look at the compass.” To my way of thinking, if I can’t remember that I’m taking off […]
Not all airplanes are created equal. You need to think about whether yours is appropriate for the mission.
Each year, a surprising number of pilots forget that before one can fly, one has to taxi. Staying on the taxiway centerline is a great start, but theres more.
Although you might not tell the FAA about it, are you absolutely certain youre healthy enough for this flight?
May 3, 2006, Aguila, Ariz.
Schweizer SGS 1-26D
At about 1430 Mountain time, the glider collided with terrain during takeoff. The Private pilot and sole occupant sustained fatal injuries; the glider was substantially damaged. The tow pilot subsequently stated that, with the towplane at about 40 feet agl and the glider airborne, the glider assumed a severe pitch-up attitude. The tow rope separated and the glider climbed to about 150 feet agl. The glider stalled, making a right turn while descending toward terrain.
May 4, 2006, Lincoln, Neb.
BAE125-800A
Its crew lost control of the business jet on a maintenance test flight at about 1800 Central time. The even…
March 1, 2006, Manhattan, Kan.
Piper PA-32RT-300T
At approximately 1140 Central time, the airplane was substantially damaged when it struck several runway lights and a taxiway sign during a forced landing. Visual conditions prevailed; the Private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The cross-country flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot later said the engine began to surge as the airplane lifted off Runway 03. As the pilot executed a slow left turn towards Runway 13, the engine lost power. He managed to land on Runway 13, near its intersection with the departure runway, but the airplane was not aligned with the centerline. It went off the side…
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