Pilots are cool. They’re dashing. They’re commonly thought of as adventure seekers. Smarter than the average Jane or Joe on the street. And yet, they are human beings that must by dint of nature go the way of all human beings in the end.
Opinion
A flight review five years in the making
Regardless of what life throws at me tomorrow, today I’m current.
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).
Human Factors: Fuel factors
At the accident site, an Amazon warehouse parking lot in Akron, Ohio, investigators found no fuel in the 1973 Cessna 172M’s tanks, lines, or carburetor bowl — and only trace amounts in the fuel filter.
Plant a seed
I planted a seed, nurtured it for a time with intention and care, then let it grow at its own pace, in its own way. Anyone could do that. In the garden, or at the airport, or with students from your local high school or college.
Liability and unleaded fuels
Who will actually “approve” any new unleaded fuel and what does that approval mean?
Infallible me
As pilots our mission is not to fight the power and push back against regulatory agencies to prove our infallibility. Rather, it is to train, to learn, to practice, to put our safety and the safety of others at the top of our personal checklist. To do all that we can to enhance safety while mitigating risk.
Third generation Sclair solos
On July 9, 2024, I got to add another memorable flying moment. But this time, I was planted firmly on the ground.
A little empathy goes a long way
When you get right down to it, the airport manager slot is a service position, not all that different from the one a kid has when they get their first job working in the food service industry. But while the kid eats the food his restaurant serves, more often than not the airport manager does not utlilize the services their facility offers.