Pilot Proficiency

A recent report in the journal Human Factors found that the prevalence of automated cockpits may be hindering pilots’ ability to perform some key tasks, such as navigating without the aid of a moving map and troubleshooting systems problems. Researchers studied 16 experienced pilots as they flew routine and nonroutine flight scenarios in a Boeing […]

The FAA yesterday issued long-awaited rules that increase the number of hours pilots may log toward an instrument rating using approved aviation training devices, raising the limit to 20 hours in advanced training devices versus 10 hours under the old rules. In reality many simulator makers had received special authorizations from the FAA to allow […]

A Robinson R44 apparently broke apart in flight and crashed into a the roof of a building in North Salt Lake, Utah, on Tuesday, bursting into flames and killing the two men on board. Witnesses reported seeing the helicopter break into several pieces midflight. Debris was found over a widely scattered area, according to local […]

“Did you do something to my nav radios?” John was clearly confused, and I didn’t know why. But John had just realized that steady needles didn’t necessarily mean he was flying well. The flag for the glideslope confirmed his suspicion. We were flying an ILS approach in our old Comanche 250, in the clouds with […]

One of the best things about flying general aviation airplanes is the freedom it provides. You can go and check out almost any place you want, as long as you stay above regulated altitude limits and away from major tourist attractions, such as the Grand Canyon. Aside from being able to see new places from […]

A U.S. Air Force pilot assigned to bomb ISIS targets in the Middle East was killed when his F-16 fighter crashed on Sunday, military officials said. The Fighting Falcon reportedly suffered a mechanical malfunction shortly after takeoff. The pilot attempted to return to an airstrip in Jordan but crashed short of the runway, according to […]

The National Transportation Safety Board’s final report on the June 2012 inflight breakup of a Pilatus PC-12 over Central Florida highlights the risks of flying a high-performance airplane in IMC with minimum training and experience. Weeks after the accident the NTSB issued a safety alert to pilots warning about the inherent latency of in-cockpit Nexrad […]

OK, here’s an admission: I rarely look at other aviation publications unless there’s an article about somebody who intrigues me, like Bill Lear Jr. or “Fish” Salmon, or something in the “I think I’m supposed to know this but I don’t” category, like the difference between Fowler, Krueger, Gouge, Fairey-Youngman and Gurney flaps. But I […]

Through the darkness across the Hudson River, New York City’s dazzling all-night light show served as the backdrop for the Beech Baron’s descent into Teterboro Airport. For the relatively inexperienced pilot in the left seat, this was a golden opportunity to sit beside the company’s high-time training captain and soak up knowledge from the veteran […]

If it’s been a while since you’ve had the chance to enjoy some backcountry flying, come along for the ride as this bush pilot makes an approach into Simonds, a 900-foot Idaho airstrip at an elevation of 5,243 feet. Beware, though. The location and rugged nature of this remote strip have caused the Forest Service […]