Pilot Proficiency

At first glance, the title of this column might suggest that the subject ­matter involves airline code sharing. The phrase “metal neutral” has been a buzzword used by airline management to indicate passenger revenue obtained through fare agreements with other carriers. The concept implies that it is immaterial whose logo is painted on the aluminum. […]

In our FBO Spotlight series, we’re highlighting FBOs around the country that have received rave reviews. This latest Spotlight is brought to you by R. Stephen Smith, who has nothing but good things to say about Eagle Aviation, one of the FBOs at Columbia Metropolitan Airport. Eagle Aviation (KCAE) Columbia, South Carolina “This is simply […]

AOPA Summit is around the corner, and this year’s location in Palm Springs, California, is a very popular destination for the membership, who fly in to KPSP and surrounding airports in droves for AOPA’s annual get together. This year’s Summit, which runs Oct. 11-13, promises to be one of the best, with a host of […]

This week, I had an opportunity to learn more about upset recovery training at APS Emergency Maneuvers Training at the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport in the southeastern edge of Mesa, Arizona. With temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit outside, it was nice to step into the air-conditioned CAE full motion Level D ERJ 145 simulator at the […]

An Italian man inspired by the film Catch Me if You Can was arrested over the weekend for impersonating an airline pilot in a ruse that allowed him to catch the jumpseat on at least one European flight. The unidentified 32-year-old man allegedly created a mock persona as Lufthansa pilot Andrea Sirlo using fake IDs […]

We often preach about how important it is to have enough fuel to get to your destination — odd that running out of gas should stubbornly continue to be a cause of accidents — but there’s a flip side to having enough fuel to get where you’re going: having too much fuel too soon. For […]

I spent the last couple of days in Queretaro, Mexico, the flashpoint for the Mexican rebellion against Spain in 1810 and, more recently, the site of a brand new Bombardier factory where composite structural components including fuselages and wings for the Learjet 85 are being manufactured. The biggest surprises on my visit weren’t inside the […]

The FAA has closed what it saw as a loophole in the regs that for many years allowed pilots of single-pilot jets to continue to fly without having to get the same annual recurrent checks as pilots of crewed airplanes, including jets. The newly constituted FAR, 61.85, was originally slated to go into effect last […]

When we talk about risk management, there is a lot of focus on the preflight and making sure you’re fit to fly. But it is equally as important to make sure your focus is on safety of flight while in the air. Flying requires a combination of many complex tasks and you need to have […]

EAA founder and chairman emeritus Paul H. Poberezny turned 91 on Sept. 14, celebrating nearly six decades with the organization that has helped introduce millions of people to the wonders of aviation. Dozens of fans have posted well wishes on EAA’s Facebook page over the last few days, many of them keying in on Poberezny’s […]