The pilot’s cold weather start technique is blamed for accident when his Cessna 172’s engine quits due to a lack of oil.
Human Factors: A poorly-timed thumb’s up
There are only two types of pilots in the world: Those who have left the wheel chocks in place and those who will.
Questions from the Cockpit: Not your father’s electrical system
It is interesting how electrical systems have changed over the 100-plus years of flight, and especially in recent times. It’s something for traditionally-trained pilots to think about when stepping into newer airplanes, because even today’s Cessna 172, well, it isn’t your father’s Cessna 172.
Human Factors: Even a little crash can be deadly
More often than not, it’s the little things that kill you. For instance, of all the myriad hazards of flying the bush in Alaska, death by pond taxi in the state’s third-largest city would seem so low on the list of possibilities as to be nearly impossible. And yet…
Questions from the Cockpit: Take time to tap the ‘break’ pedal
Tami, a student pilot in Arizona, writes: I’m in an accelerated flight training program to become an airline pilot. The entire thing is supposed to take a year. I’m only a couple of months in and I’m already starting to burnout. There’s just so much to read, so many videos to watch, so many things to memorize — and for most of it I’m pretty much on my own. Do you have any advice on how I should organize what I’m doing and how can I avoid burnout?
Human Factors: Cool as a cucumber
In his well-written and detailed accounting of the accident to the NTSB, it’s clear the pilot was still completely stumped about what caused his engine issues. Carb ice simply doesn’t enter his mind as a possibility.
Questions from the Cockpit: Where’s the end of the TFR rainbow?
Henry, a private pilot in Pennsylvania, writes: So with the election coming up, it seems like TFRs are popping up like mushrooms. Those VIP ones are BIG. But here’s my question: I know if you have a TFR over your airport, and you are a GA pilot, you are pretty much grounded — but what about taxiways? Are the movement areas and ground operations also affected by the TFR?
Human Factors: An unhealthy tango for two
We have a less than ideal airport layout with intersecting runways, view-limiting terrain, and published data ignored by the locals. Why, yes, that does seem like a good recipe for an accident, doesn’t it?
Questions from the Cockpit: U know it now
Elijia, a student pilot in Florida, writes: I’m confused about how private airports are shown on sectional charts. Most of them just show a circle with the letter R inside — why not the more logical P for private? And others have the more standard symbol, but then after the name of the airport it says (Pvt).