Pilot Proficiency

North Atlantic crossings to London have become such a frequent part of my repertoire that the ocean is now marked with a magenta line dotted with large directional arrows that say, “Les, this way!” Regardless of the routine, each trip has its own unique challenges. A trip this past January was no exception. It was […]

Sporty’s has partnered with ABX Airlines in Wilmington, Ohio, to offer a program that complies with the recently implemented training requirements for the FAA airline transport pilot knowledge exam. Under the new rules, which were implemented August 1 (despite a stellar track record of safety for ATP-rated pilots) ATP candidates must complete an FAA-approved ATP-Certification […]

A highly critical report released yesterday by the Department of Transportation’s Inspector General outlining serious shortcomings with the FAA’s progress on ADS-B is embarrassing for the agency, coming as it does on the heels of pronouncements that the $6.5 billion program is progressing just fine and the 2020 ADS-B mandate is a sure-fire, locked-and-loaded firm […]

As a pilot in the right seat, you can be an invaluable asset to the pilot flying. Whether you are a certified flight instructor or not, you can help the pilot in case of an emergency, or if a critical action or an ATC call is missed. You can step in and handle the issue […]

Let’s see; at 380 pounds an hour, we should land with 400 pounds total. This is my bingo fuel for our Cheyenne and is permissible only when our destination is VFR and no delays, holds, vectors or early descents are anticipated. I have a little hand calculator that I bought for three dollars at Staples […]

(August 2014) Time is running short, so I’m going to get straight to the point: If you’re a pilot or aviation enthusiast and you’ve never been to Oshkosh for EAA’s annual fly-in and shindig, you need to go. It runs July 28 through Aug. 3 this year, so depending on when the postman delivers this […]

On Sept. 29, 2013, a Cessna Citation CJ2 landing at Santa Monica Airport near Los Angeles suddenly veered off the runway and crashed through a hangar, bursting into flames and killing all aboard. Three months later, on Jan. 5, 2014, the pilots of a Challenger 601 landing with a strong, gusting tailwind in Aspen, Colorado, […]

When we launched our “Flying Is…” video contest, sponsored by Garmin, we knew we’d be in for some great flying footage and some amazing aerial views. And you didn’t disappoint. Throughout the contest we’ve received incredible videos showcasing the power of aviation to take individuals to new heights, both literally and figuratively. These videos capture […]

What makes an airplane climb? The answer might seem obvious, until you consider all the factors that allow us to gain altitude. The addition of engine power is the answer that probably popped into your head first. Yet in light GA airplanes, altitude gain can also be achieved by taking advantage of thermal updrafts, reducing […]

General aviation accidents showed a welcome decline in 2013, falling from 1,471 crashes in 2012 to 1,222 last year, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. In fact, by every measure GA flying was safer last year than the year before. The accident rate per 100,000 flight hours dipped to 5.85, continuing a steady historic […]