Pilot Proficiency

(September 2011) The following conversation did not take place during the Pilot Training Reform Symposium sponsored by SAFE (Society of Aviation and Flight Educators) — but it could have. During a coffee break between sessions, a small cluster of aviation educators are discussing ways to lower the stagnant rate of general aviation acci- dents and […]

This is the best time of the whole year if you’re a sports fan. Baseball pennant races are coming down to the wire, the NFL season is just getting under way, Division I college football has already had its share of big matchups, and drama in the NASCAR Chase for the Cup is ratcheting up. […]

After having experienced the Reno Air Races once in 2003, I was thrilled to return to the show this year. The weather forecast for the races looked good and the lineup of race airplanes was as exciting as ever. I took off IFR into a 1,200-foot ceiling on Thursday morning in a 172RG that I […]

(September 2011) My wife and I had just purchased a new (20-year-old) Cheyenne and it was tucked away in the hangar at KTPA in Tampa for the night. I could not stay away. One night after dinner I drove out to look at the airplane; I just wanted to sit in it and turn on […]

In our FBO Spotlight series, we’re highlighting FBOs around the country that have received rave reviews from our readers. The latest Spotlight is brought to you by Joe Leydon, who recently spent some time at Sheltair Aviation, located at Orlando Executive Airport. Here’s how, in Joe’s own words, the FBO left such a positive impression […]

Watch for “corporate jets” to emerge as a hot-button campaign issue in the coming months as Democrats seize on a change in the tax code proposed in President Obama’s Jobs Act to paint their Republican rivals as supporting tax-cheating corporations. It’s happening already. In an ad created for the Congressional campaign of Democrat David Weprin, […]

The heading bug is a great flying tool, particularly when you’re flying IFR. But whether you have your instrument ticket or not, the heading bug can also be quite helpful on the ground on windy days, in any airplane, but especially if you’re flying a taildragger. After you check the ATIS, set the heading bug […]

(September 2011) I am almost certain that on Dec. 7, 1951, the scars of Pearl Harbor had not faded from the memories of most Americans, even 10 years after the attack. I can guarantee the same for Sept. 11, 2011. For airline pilots, the scars will take much longer to heal. Why? Airline pilots took […]

In our FBO Spotlight series, we’re highlighting FBOs around the country that have received rave reviews from our readers. The latest Spotlight is brought to you by Ruhil Dhawan, a DA40 – SEL pilot who recently flew into Albuquerque International Sunport Airport (KABQ) and paid a visit to Cutter Aviation. Here’s his take on why […]

When I called up the pictures of Morristown Municipal Airport (KMMU) drowning in muddy-brown water wrought by Hurricane Irene’s torrential rains late last month, I was a bit taken aback by how widespread the flooding appeared to be. I just didn’t expect that much of my home airport to be underwater. And yet I was […]