The following report, submitted to ASRS by a B-727 Captain discusses an incident in which established procedures still were not enough to avert a near-collision on the runway. Due to a mechanical problem, our flight [air carrier X] departed after the Tower closed for the night. We complied with our company?s "non-Tower" procedures found on … Continue reading See and Avoid: Applies to Runway Ops, too
Runway Incursion: Pedestrian Version
The FAA and many pilot organizations have given much attention in recent months to prevention of runway incursions involving aircraft. However, these events may also involve pedestrians, as a general aviation pilot discovered after parking his aircraft at a new FBO. I had flown into [airport] with a CFII for my instrument cross-country requirement, and … Continue reading Runway Incursion: Pedestrian Version
Flying Duo In The Clouds
Couples who share flying experiences face special challenges in learning to work and communicate as a team. This is especially true of IFR flight into weather conditions. Several reports from ASRS files describe the various things that can go wrong ? and right, too ? when a flying duo is "in the clouds." Gee Whiz … Continue reading Flying Duo In The Clouds
Bahamas FAM Trip 2010
I was honored to be invited by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism for the 2010 Gateway Fixed Base Operator Familiarization & Seminar Trip. This was a four day trip that included stops at Grand Bahama Island (Freeport), Green Turtle Cay (Abaco) and George Town (Exuma). The trip started on August 26th when the group of … Continue reading Bahamas FAM Trip 2010
Mildred Benson: Toledo Queen of Private Aviation by Michael Marotta
Everyone at Toledo's Suburban Airport knows Mildred Benson. She learned to fly there, back when it was called Wagonwheel. For years, she wrote the "Happy Landings" column of the Toledo Blade. Ten years ago, she gave up her Cherokee 180. Her last flight in the left seat was in 1996. Now she writes a column … Continue reading Mildred Benson: Toledo Queen of Private Aviation by Michael Marotta
Flight Crew Crash Pads
For many young aviators making the leap (of faith?) into professional aviation, it comes as a shock that their first paycheck, indeed their first many paychecks, seem a virtual David to their bills' Goliath. A typical regional airline job starts paying in the high teens or low twenties. That reality combined with the fact that … Continue reading Flight Crew Crash Pads
Instructors by Michael Marotta
I took my first lesson on October 31, 1983 after seeing The Right Stuff. My next three lessons came a year later. Then the following October another lesson. Then nine years went by (where?) and I had two more. Since June 22 of this year, I have been up 10 times. In all, I have … Continue reading Instructors by Michael Marotta
The 1-to-100 Glide: An EAA Chapter Meets a Skydiver by Michael Marotta
"You are up there with your friends. You might be the last one out and you make that 1000-foot three-dimensional dive and you find your grip and you are smiling with your friends and you are not moving at 110 miles an hour but only very slowly together." On Tuesday, August 4, 1998, Brenda O'Brien … Continue reading The 1-to-100 Glide: An EAA Chapter Meets a Skydiver by Michael Marotta
Your Flight Service Station by Michael Marotta
On August 7, Paul Olson from the Dayton Flight Service Station spoke to the Sidney (Ohio) Pilots Association (7I7). Your FSS provides weather briefings as its primary function. You phone 800-WX-BRIEF and you take some menu options and you hear the weather for your departure. The FSS also handles flight plans and can reorient lost … Continue reading Your Flight Service Station by Michael Marotta
What Next? Consider An Instrument Rating by Jerry Plante
The transition from student pilot to certificated pilot commences with the designated examiner handing you a temporary certificate with the usual warning; This is a license to learn." Some of us take that statement to mean that we're not quite ready for prime time, and others grab anyone who will go flying and buzz around … Continue reading What Next? Consider An Instrument Rating by Jerry Plante