Pilot Proficiency

Three men were killed early Sunday morning while flying in a Bell 206 being used to shoot a reality TV show for the Discovery Channel. The crash occurred at the Polsa Rosa Ranch in northern Los Angeles County — a frequent location for film production — under unknown circumstances, according to FAA officials. Pilot David […]

A report released by the Department of Defense Inspector General on Monday calls into question the Air Force’s analysis of the fatal 2010 F-22 crash — which the military attributed to pilot error — that caused the death of Captain Jeff Haney. In the new report, the Inspector General blasts the service’s findings, saying they […]

Jessica Cox, the first person without arms to earn a pilot’s certificate, is joining Handicap International on a journey to Ethiopia to inspire children with disabilities to reach beyond their dreams despite their physical challenges. Handicap International targeted Ethiopia because low-income countries in particular tend to deny handicapped people opportunities offered to the general public. […]

By order of FAR Part 91.113, “vigilance shall be maintained by each person operating an aircraft so as to see and avoid other aircraft.” It all starts before you leave the ground. You may be cleared for takeoff or taxi onto the runway to “line up and wait,” but it’s worth taking a final look […]

ATIS “Tango” was advertising 43 degrees C when we landed Sunday afternoon. Although I’m “mathematically challenged” I think that works out to about 110 degrees F, which might explain the eerie quiet on the Lunken tower frequency. David Zombek had just flown an outstanding private pilot check ride in the 172. He’d worked long and […]

In our FBO Spotlight series, we’re highlighting FBOs around the country that have received rave reviews from our readers. This latest Spotlight is brought to you by Frank Himmerich, who recently flew into Fullerton Municipal Airport in Fullerton, California, in N8530N, a Piper Cherokee 235. Here’s what he has to say about one of the […]

The history of the National Aeronautic Association is a long and glorious one. From the organization’s first award to Glenn Curtiss for the development of the floatplane, the NAA has much more often that not hit the nail on the head, recognizing remarkable achievements that have stood the test of time. But there have been […]

Strong surface winds can throw pilots an unexpected curve ball if they’ve planned a flight to a favorite destination and find the conditions at the arrival airport exceed the capabilities of their airplane, themselves or both. An experienced flight instructor I was talking with recently related a story in which he damaged the wing of […]

Airplane lovers looking for a new event to attend this summer can now mark their calendars for “The Gathering of Warbirds and Legends.” This inaugural event, scheduled to take place August 1-4 in Topeka, Kansas, is expected to become an annual gathering where historical airplanes, still in airworthy condition, will be on display. While “The […]

The next daredevil attempting to break the world record for freefall speed will have to go a little faster following the release of new data from Felix Baumgartner’s jump from the edge of space in October. According to Red Bull Stratos, Baumgartner achieved even higher speeds than initially thought, albeit by slight margins, after jumping […]