IT'S ABOUT 8 PM, YOU'VE completed the aircraft inspection and pre-flight checklist, finding no problems. The flight plan has been filed, and a check of the weather shows clear skies to your destination, two hours away. Your qualifications are current and you consider yourself a better-than-average pilot. Life couldn't be better-but are you really ready … Continue reading You’re Not Tired, Are You? by Eric Simson
Physical Fitness by Glenn R. Stoutt, Jr., MD
A survey of the armed forces during World War II showed that Army Air Corps pilots ranked dead last in physical fitness. Things may be some better now, but certainly not with our country as a whole. Just look at the lean people in the newsreels and movies of the `40s, and compare them with … Continue reading Physical Fitness by Glenn R. Stoutt, Jr., MD
Anger: How to Control a Killer Emotion by Glenn R. Stoutt, Jr., MD
Anger can run the spectrum from mild irritation to rage, and rage is a form of temporary insanity. None of us can think or act effectively if we are angry. If pilots are both hurried and mad, their engine(s) may take them directly to the scene of the crash. Anger is a perfectly normal human … Continue reading Anger: How to Control a Killer Emotion by Glenn R. Stoutt, Jr., MD
A Flight I Didnt Take by Fred Quarles
It was almost Christmas and time for the annual migration south to see the grandparents. Over the river, (hopefully not through the woods), to grandmother's house we go). The weather had been bad the day before, and today, things were reporting 300-400 foot ceilings, with drizzle. It was really a gray day. I had worked … Continue reading A Flight I Didnt Take by Fred Quarles
178 Seconds to Live
How long can a pilot who has little or no instrument training expect to live after he flies into bad weather and loses visual contact? Researchers at the University of Illinois did some tests and came up with some very interesting data. Twenty student "guinea pigs" flew into simulated instrument weather, and all went into … Continue reading 178 Seconds to Live
Fueling Safety by Fred Quarles
Certain piston aircraft are particularly susceptible to mis-fueling incidents and you should be especially vigilant if you are flying one of these birds. Among them are the TURBO charged versions of many airplanes. In the desire to be the hottest thing going, manufacturers often labeled their aircraft "TURBO" or some such designation. And inadequately trained … Continue reading Fueling Safety by Fred Quarles
Learning the Hard Way by William Gleason
Back in 1990 when I was learning to fly, I had a mishap. I was going to make my first cross country with my instructor. I was told to be at the field at 5:00 as she had another student. I was flying from a satellite field about 20 miles away. Well, when I got … Continue reading Learning the Hard Way by William Gleason
To Go or Not to Go by Cindy Keller
I am a flight student with about 35 hours in a Katana DA20. I soloed several months ago and have been working on my cross-countries. Recently, after taking a month off for various reasons, I scheduled a solo flight. I was nervous, but excited to be getting some flight time. I was a little more … Continue reading To Go or Not to Go by Cindy Keller
VFR Pilot Night Flight
April 3, 1998 Allendale, SC Rockwell 112TC 2 FATAL The non-instrument rated pilot departed at night into weather that was reported as 100 feet overcast, visibility ?-mile in fog. A witness reported the airplane was on takeoff climb and was about 200 feet above the ground before it disappeared into the clouds. He heard the … Continue reading VFR Pilot Night Flight
Jumper Cables
June 03, 1998 Everett, WA Piper PA30 1 FATAL The pilot used a jumper cable to connect the battery of his car to the aircraft's electrical system at the power receptacle located on the left side of the nose. With both engines running, the pilot exited the aircraft to remove the chock from the nosewheel. … Continue reading Jumper Cables