Safety

FAA Safety Briefing Editor, general aviation pilot, and flight instructor Susan K. Parson recently published a list called Rules for the Radio that spells out some proper and incorrect radio etiquette when communicating with air traffic controllers. These tips are suitable for seasoned pilots as a refresher, but are incredibly valuable for student pilots or […]

The National Transportation Safety Board has asked helicopter manufacturers Bell, Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo Helicopter Division, MD Helicopters, Robinson Helicopter Company and Sikorsky to require visual and audio data recorders on commercial turbine-powered helicopters. Speaking directly to airframe manufacturers is a first for the NTSB regarding video image recorders and comes following the FAA’s refusal to […]

One takeaway from this tragedy: Altitude is the best defense.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently released an annual summary of reported laser strike incidents in 2019 showing there were 6,136 reports of people on the ground shining easily-obtained laser pointers at aircraft. According to the FAA, the availability of inexpensive laser devices for sale in stores and online is contributing to the problem, with […]

Despite an industry inhabited with thousands of gigantic egos, most aviation folk will probably admit, some secretly, that they wish they had a mentor, a guide to prevent them from falling into any of the thousands of professional pits waiting for the unsuspecting or poorly educated. Who wouldn’t like advice from someone who has been […]

A Fact Sheet released recently by the FAA lists several National Transportation Safety Board safety recommendations, followed by the FAA actions being taken or considered. Of note is the record showing that NTSB and FAA “agree on a course of action about 80 percent of the time.” Here are some interesting points in the FAA/NTSB […]

Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) provider Aviation Performance Solutions (APS) said on April 28 it is now offering a fresh line-up of free and paid online UPRT course options. Participating pilots can credit costs of the paid courses toward their future on-site UPRT programs. The new classes are targeted specifically at pilots impacted by […]

Some 100 FAA control towers around the US will soon have their operational hours temporarily culled due to significant COVID-19-based reductions in local air traffic. The agency said in a news release, “Making these adjustments allows for continued safe operations throughout the national airspace system while minimizing health risks to our workforce.” The control towers […]

My instructor was in the seat behind me. He was always yelling at me. This time, he was yelling that I needed more rudder when I used aileron. I was a teenager. I thought he was mad at me. I know now he was just trying to be heard over the ambient airplane noise. The […]

Pilots are endowed with the right to take risks.