Pilot Proficiency

Pressure Altitude Density Altitude Example: Pressure altitude = 6,000 feet Outside air temp = 13 degrees C ISA (@ 6,000 feet) = 3 degrees C {from rule of thumb: (-2 degrees x each 1,000 feet msl) + 15 = ISA} (13 – 3) x 120 + 6,000 = 7,200 feet density altitude Indicated Altitude True […]

I was a 30-year-old 600-hour instrument instructor with half ownership in a well-equipped Piper Archer II and a good job to pay the bills. I felt I had a good understanding of my personal minimums and promised myself never to break them — a policy that has paid off many times. But that almost wasn’t the […]

For the past 30 years, aviation has benefited from traffic collision avoidance systems (TCAS) installed in large airplanes. The newest version of this safety technology, TCAS II, provides aural and visual warnings to pilots as well as resolution advisories instructing, for example, one airplane to climb and another to descend to avoid a midair collision. […]

Uflytv has launched an online aviation video streaming service, featuring films on aerobatic icons, GA aircraft, formation flying, unusual aircraft, heroic missions and more. “Think of it as ‘The Aviation Channel,’” said Tom Poberezny, former EAA AirVenture chairman and aerobatic world champion. “It provides access to vibrant programs that meet the highest network television standards.” […]

When I have time, I sometimes volunteer to fly dogs for an organization called Pilots N Paws. Recently the stars lined up for a terrific trip from Van Nuys, California, to Hayward. A blind poodle needed a ride to meet his new owner and, having been stuck training in a simulator for nearly three weeks, […]

The atmosphere in our normally gray conference room was, well, colorful, and the manager was wishing he hadn’t OK’d my idea for an informal meeting with local traffic helicopter and fixed-wing pilots after a recent and highly publicized accident. On that frigid, foggy morning, a pilot and a female ­reporter lifted off in a Bell […]

I’ve seen enough over the past few years to reach the conclusion that self-driving cars going mainstream is now a matter of when rather than if. The advanced technology in today’s production vehicles is helping to pave the way. While I haven’t had the chance to use the autopilot feature in a Tesla electric vehicle, […]

As an airline pilot, I was anxious to watch Sully. Finally, I could attend an aviation movie without my wife having to bear witness to eye-rolling and corrective commentary. Most likely, as a Flying reader, you have already seen the film; if you haven’t, consider this a spoiler alert. Regardless, I thought it would be […]

People like to ask, “What was your favorite flight?” There are so many, I wouldn’t know how to choose. But ask me to choose my least favorite flight, and I can tell you in a heartbeat. It started on a beautiful February day. My buddy Shaun decided to join me. We made a lot of […]

An inescapable part of flying the line as a junior pilot is working on birthdays, anniversaries and holidays — Christmas above all. Most everyone wants it off, especially those with young children, and many resort to tactics such as bidding a reserve line to get it. Under the old rules, Part 121 pilots were limited […]