Search Results for: Citation X

I read Zero-Zero Departures in your December 2014 issue with great interest. Like the author, I have heard over the years many of the same comments about zero-zero departures. They are risky, stupid, crazy, a death-wish, etc. While most of these comments largely are overstatement, unlike the author, I do agree with the naysayers: A zero-zero departure is riskier than a missed approach. The risk is in the first 200 feet the author with a wave of his pen dismisses.

The leaders of 14 aviation organizations sent a dire warning to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, telling him in a joint letter to do something now to bring down the costs of ADS-B compliance or risk seeing a “significant reduction” in general aviation activity when the ADS-B Out mandate takes effect on Jan. 1, 2020. Writing […]

After our story last year on great values in used aircraft “Aftermarket Stars,” January 2014 our readers told us they wanted more. So here’s Part II. Only this time we’ll focus on airplanes that are in our opinion historically underrated. It’s no secret that over the past three decades the prices of new airplanes have […]

The AOPA Air Safety Foundations annual Nall Report found an increase in accidents involving amateur-built aircraft. The statistics from 2008 showed the highest rate of fatal accidents and fatalities in 10 years. The 27-percent lethality rate in these accidents was 10 full percentage points higher than that for accidents in type-certificated airplanes, according to the report.

Make no mistake about it: Going through a two- to three-week type-rating course is grueling. Many pilots have a strong preference for turboprop aircraft for the explicit reason that no type rating is required. But like the process of flying jets itself, the type course is structured; a specific set of steps impart a specific knowledge to the pilot. The information that must be learned is clear and finite for a type rating. Unfortunately, finite doesnt mean small.

It was a lousy day for a VFR trip — not unusual in coastal Southern California in the spring. We get stratus clouds that come in from the ocean and create low ceilings that last for days. On this particular day we needed to get a package up to Corona Airport, and I did not […]

I was flying my Cirrus SR22TN into Boeing Field on the 13R ILS when the following happened:Me: N564JH. Intercepting 13 Right ILS.Approach: Cirrus 4JH, 8 miles from ISOGE, following a Citation 10, cleared for the approach. Contact Tower.Me: Tower, N564JH, ILS 13R.Tower: Cirrus 4JH following a Citation, slow to 120 knots for separation.The next week I had the same dialog behind a Falcon. Love those speeds.

ADS-B. It’s an acronym only an engineer’s mother could love. Three letters followed by a hyphen and another letter hanging off in la-la land. What does it stand for again? Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast. What in the world does that mean? Not only is ADS-B confusing, but it’s expensive too. When all is said and done […]

The year 2014 had dizzying highs and terrible lows, including a tragic mystery that was on everyone’s minds for months. On the positive side, we saw the introduction of some spectacular new airplanes, the continued development of exciting new technologies, the beginnings of solutions to some of the most vexing problems facing general aviation and […]

General aviation pilots make IFR takeoffs in reduced visibility and low ceilings on a daily basis. We line up, launch, establish a climb, transition to the gauges and press on with the flight. Assuming there is an approach with adequate minimums at home plate or a nearby airport, were confident we can return and land within about 10 minutes should something go sour. If were in a single and the engine decides to take the day off, our ability to pick out a good landing site is minimal but, hey, thats IFR flight any time the weather is down.