What is the takeaway from the Red Bull Plane Swap debacle? While there are many lessons to be learned, a key one is dealing with external pressures.
Questions from the Cockpit: Crash course
Jessica, a CFI in Arizona, writes: Is it possible to crash an airplane on a checkride and still pass the exam?
Human Factors: A change of mind…or two
What can we learn from an accident where a pilot crashed in white-out conditions over a frozen lake in Alaska?
Questions from the Cockpit: Not to be taxing, but…
Fredrick, a private pilot in Wyoming, writes: What are the origins of the words “taxiing” and “taxiways” in aviation?
Human Factors: A watered-down test flight
How could three veteran pilots miss the fact that there were several quarts — yes quarts — of water in the fuel tank?
Questions from the Cockpit: Weighty words
Noah, a student pilot in Arizona, writes: I’m trying to get my head around weight and balance, especially the terms: Moment, arm, station, datum… None of them seem particularly descriptive. Can you help me out?
Human Factors: A host of bad decisions
How do two professional pilots lose control of their flight just nine minutes after takeoff? Among a number of factors, what part did the pilot shortage play in this fatal accident?
Questions from the Cockpit: What’s up with pilots who keep busting TFRs?
Randy, a commercial pilot in Massachusetts, writes: What’s up with these morons who keep busting Presidential TFRs? It seems like I read about this happening way too often. And then it always gets played up in the general media and it makes the rest of us pilots look bad!
Human Factors: Feeling trapped
If you are flying with someone else, allowing yourself to be swayed outside your comfort zone is a trap. That’s the lesson from this 2021 accident that claimed the life of the pilot in the lead airplane.