Tip Of The Week

Planning the high-speed descent phase of a flight requires some judgment, especially during summer months when we like to cruise in cool comfort above the build-ups and the haze layer. That’s usually 10,000 feet or higher in summer, at least where I do most of my flying on the eastern half of the country (mountain […]

We all know that as density altitude increases, there is a corresponding decrease in the power delivered by our airplane’s engine and the effectiveness of our propeller. For a typical non-turbocharged light single-engine airplane, this can result in a takeoff roll that’s 25 percent longer for every 1,000 feet of elevation above sea level. The […]

The other day, I was flying along and overheard a conversation between a controller and a pilot attempting to depart IFR from an uncontrolled field nearby. The controller gave the pilot a clearance with a void time. When the pilot read back the clearance I noticed that he made no mention of the void time. […]

During a go-around in a piston single, especially a high-powered airplane with lots of engine torque and p-factor to overcome, making sure you add right rudder as you go to full power is critical. A great training exercise is to imagine that your right hand and right foot are mechanically connected as you begin the […]

Cold and flu season is upon us and many of you may be suffering with severe coughing or sneezing both day and night. Winter is also the time of year that presents the least times available for flying, with cruddy weather conditions being the norm. But if you get one of those rare, CAVU days, […]

As we make our resolutions for the new year, vowing to shed bad habits and start fresh, one of the things we will want to continue to carry with us is the knowledge we have gained and lessons learned over the year to remind us of how to be the best and safest pilots possible. […]

The drone industry is booming and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) may become one of the most popular Christmas presents this year. Yesterday the FAA’s new drone registration rules kicked in, requiring all people flying an sUAS between 0.55 lbs and 55 lbs to register their aircraft. If you are flying a heavier drone or […]

Whether your airplane is approved for flight in known icing conditions or not, there are a number of common-sense strategies you can put into practice to minimize your risks of ice-related hazards. First, never take off with any amount of ice, snow or frost on your airplane. If you do, you’re a test pilot flying […]

A loss-of-power incident is generally a survivable event as long as you keep your wits about you. One thing that could mean the difference between life and death is whether you leave the retractable gear up or down as you reach the point of your forced landing. While you and your airplane would be best […]

Slow leaks can be tough to catch during a preflight inspection. Most liquid filled containers are hidden behind the engine cowl or wheel wells. But if you pay attention to changes on the ground you can catch small leaks before they become major trouble. When you walk around the airplane, look at the ground underneath. […]