Looking to expand your aviation knowledge beyond the standard flight manuals? Discover a our columnist’s list of essential aviation books, covering everything from flight instruction and aerodynamics to weather, history, and engaging new children’s literature that inspires the next generation of aviators.
About William E. Dubois
Questions from the Cockpit: Beware Bias
Christina, a student pilot in Florida, writes: My CFI was telling me about expectation and confirmation bias today, but I couldn’t help wondering: Is this really a thing? I mean, I understand the theory – on paper – but it’s hard for me to get my head around it really happening. Is this truly a serious threat?
Human Factors: A Shakespearean Tragedy
A widow’s final tribute to her late husband over the mountains of Wyoming ended in a tragic crash after spreading his ashes. What can we learn from this fatal accident about flying in the mountains?
Questions from the Cockpit: Catching Some Zs
Amy, a student pilot in Texas, writes: Why is UTC time called Zulu? I’m not wrapping my head around where the “Z” comes from.
Human Factors: One Bad Decision After Another
An uncertificated pilot with no tailwheel or high-performance experience purchased a powerful Yakovlev Yak-55M and immediately crashed it following a string of poor decisions. What can we learn from this accident?
Human Factors: Deadbeats
When a seasoned Malibu pilot experienced a total engine failure, he executed a flawless off-airport landing. However, the real shock came during the ensuing NTSB investigation, when investigators discovered nearly two decades of brazen aviation maintenance fraud.
Questions From The Cockpit: How Do Rotary Engines Work?
Amanda, a private pilot in Minnesota, writes: I was reading about the early aviation engines, and with the rotary engine, the entire engine spun. How on earth did that work with getting spark to the cylinders? Obviously cables were out…
Questions From The Cockpit: Why Are They Called Wig-Wag Lights?
Curtis, a student pilot in Arizona, writes: On a training flight yesterday I saw an airplane coming in to land that had landing lights on the wings that were alternately flashing off and on. My CFI said that it was a “wig-wag” system. Such a funny name. I’m wondering where it came from.
Questions from the Cockpit: Decoding Cessna Performance Charts for Grass Runway Landings
Justin, a student pilot in Florida, writes: I’ve been studying the performance charts in my Cessna 172’s POH and was surprised to see a note on the short field landing table that said to add 45% to the figures for landing on grass. Why do you need more landing distance on a soft field? Shouldn’t the surface friction slow the plane down more than on pavement?