The real question is how did I not see a helicopter on the runway?
ASRS Reports
Kitfox seat cracks on takeoff
After further inspection upon shutdown, the seats themselves were cracked and were pressing onto the physical cables of the ailerons. The controls weren’t able to be moved without major physical input. The seats were written up for repair and we went home a bit shaken over the whole thing.
Plane ends up in farmer’s field thanks to debris in carburetor
On the way home I experienced a loss of power in cruise flight at 2,500 feet msl (1,500 feet agl) near Malcom, Iowa.
Scout pilot ground loops after rogue wind gust
Lessons learned: With a tailwheel you just can’t be too careful. I had five great landings and I felt no different on this one. I have 250 hours of tail time so not a long-time tailwheel guy and I believe the gust just got me and I didn’t get it straightened out.
‘He didn’t seem to think he did anything wrong’
I already had a bad feeling hearing a pilot say he’s entering the pattern at the right crosswind instead of an approved pattern entry procedure.
First flight after annual ends before it starts
On the first attempted flight after annual inspection, my Piper PA-32’s nose gear collapsed during takeoff roll, resulting in a prop strike.
Fuel truck vs. Cessna 172
The FBO’s procedure of having a fuel truck cross the runway is to have the dispatcher in the FBO call on the CTAF “fuel truck preparing to cross runways,” the dispatcher then radios to the fuel truck they can cross if no one replies.
Pilots land at opposite ends of desert airstrip
I called as I maneuvered for a low pass to observe the windsock midway along the side of the runway, as well as for any potential obstructions (coyotes, kids on bikes, etc., as this remote runway is in the desert next to a campgrounds), then lined up for approach and landing on Runway XY.
Pilot apologetic after near miss in pattern
The pilot of Aircraft Y apologized multiple times and knew it was their fault. You could tell they really felt bad about the situation. They said they were trying to hurry for the base traffic and didn’t know we were taking the runway.