Uncategorized Archives - Page 2 of 4

Should I Have Said Something?

Posted on December 14, 2010April 26, 2018 by John Krog

World English Dictionary hindsight— noun “The ability to understand, after something has happened, what should have been done or what caused the event” Hindsight is great. 20-20 hindsight is even better. Have you ever had the feeling that you should have said something in a situation – any situation – and didn’t? Do we, as […]

Wind Sense

Posted on November 29, 2010April 26, 2018 by Wally Moran

Brian Riis recently wrote about situational awareness and provided many good suggestions. One of the items he mentioned was to be “wind aware”. I would like to offer some additional ideas to improve one’s wind awareness. I often fly with pilots who seem oblivious to the wind until it starts to give them a problem. […]

Student Controllers and Student Pilots – Part 3

Posted on November 2, 2010April 26, 2018 by John Krog

Last time, we talked about the common factors that a both a Student pilot and a Student Controller face during the process of learning to fly or control traffic. After the classroom (and simulator portion), On-The-Job (OJT) training starts for both of our Students. A certain number of hours of OJT are assigned to Developmentals […]

Student Controllers and Student Pilots – Part 2

Posted on October 28, 2010April 26, 2018 by John Krog

Last time, we talked about the similarities of training Student Pilots and Student Controllers. For the purpose of this discussion, we will only discuss the facility portion of the training. Prior to assignment to a facility, a Developmental will go through the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City and possibly a college level program known as […]

Student Controllers and Student Pilots Part 1

Posted on October 23, 2010April 26, 2018 by John Krog

Did you ever wonder where and how Student Controllers learn their trade? Well, the process has many parallels to the way most of us learned to fly. That is not surprising considering the same agency oversees both processes. Controllers and pilots (except Sport Pilots and certain others) are both required to obtain Medical Certificates; all […]

Emergency Procedures

Posted on October 18, 2010April 26, 2018 by Bob Martens

OK pilots, this is one where we have a clear choice. Would you rather conduct your first ever engine out landing in a field with trees on both ends with all of your loved ones on board, OR prepare yourself for this same event with a CFI in the next seat? Tough one, huh? The […]

Directional Gyro: Don’t Set It Here

Posted on September 23, 2010February 14, 2020 by Wally Moran

How many of us have been told to always be sure and set the directional gyro (DG) when we are in position on the take off runway? Why there? Well, the instructor would say, because we are now on a known heading and therefore the DG will be accurate right after takeoff. This procedure worked […]

Emergencies and ATC (part 4)

Posted on September 10, 2010April 26, 2018 by John Krog

OK, the emergency is over. Let’s assume, for this discussion, that everyone is on the ground and safe. What happens after the emergency? Well, FAR 91.3 doesn’t say much. It only says that we must submit a report to the Administrator but only if requested and only if we deviated from any rule (any FAR). […]

Emergencies and ATC (part 3)

Posted on August 27, 2010April 26, 2018 by John Krog

Last time, we talked about an emergency involving an Air Carrier that was handled in a near textbook manner. Several people asked about what actually happens during and after an Emergency is declared. The Controller’s Handbook – the 7110.65 – devotes a whole chapter to guidance on Emergencies. It gives the following guidance to ATC […]

Airplane Yoke Control

Posted on August 19, 2010April 26, 2018 by Wally Moran

Yes I know, never say never, but here goes anyway. Never push the yoke forward when near the ground. Sorry, but I just heard of yet another aircraft damaged on landing. Most likely caused by the pilot pushing the yoke forward after a bounce. The pilot reports that he bounced and he thinks he pushed […]

Pilot Attitude Check

Posted on August 9, 2010April 26, 2018 by Wally Moran

We all know that proper aircraft attitude is important for getting our aircraft to do what we want it to. But it is our mental attitude that plays a major role in the type of pilot that we become. A proper mental attitude can do more for your flying ability than almost any kind of […]

ARE WE PRACTICING THE RIGHT STUFF?

Posted on July 26, 2010April 26, 2018 by Wally Moran

Recently a Cirrus crashed while attempting to execute a go around. In another accident, a Grumman Tiger overshot a four thousand foot runway and crashed into a lumber mill beyond the end of the runway. In both of these situations, the airplane was clearly capable of doing what the pilot wanted it to do but […]