Anxious about the new Airmen Certification Standards? Don’t be, says Rich Martindell, and aviation and safety consultant, ATP, CFII and an FAA Safety Team representative. In a new blog post, he notes: “The Airman Certification Standards (ACS) replacing the familiar Practical Test Standards (PTS) for the private pilot and instrument ratings went into effect and […]
Museum of Flight opens new pavilion
SEATTLE — The Museum of Flight recently opened its new, three-acre Aviation Pavilion. The nine-story roofed outdoor gallery doubles the museum’s exhibit space with the biggest expansion in its 51-year history. The Pavilion exhibit focuses on the development of large aircraft and commercial airliners from the 1930s to the present, and includes planes that cannot be seen […]
Pilots asked to help improve the weather reporting system
On June 21-22, the NTSB hosted a forum on Pilot Weather Reports (PIREPs) to begin gathering information about the current state of the PIREP system. The NTSB is seeking input from pilots regarding the current process of creating, submitting and disseminating PIREPs. What works, what doesn’t and what could be done better? Pilots’ comments will be used to […]
Reno racing seminar attracts record crowd
RENO — The 19th annual National Championship Air Races Pylon Racing Seminar (PRS), held June 15-18 at the Reno Stead Airport, hosted a record 79 airplanes and 130 participants, including students, instructors and certified pilots. PRS is a qualifying and safety seminar for pilots new to the National Championship Air Races. “We are beyond excited to […]
2017 test guides for AMTs now shipping
ASA officials note that 2017 Test Guides for the FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Knowledge Exams are available and shipping now. The Test Guides include questions and answers for the General, Airframe and Powerplant FAA knowledge exams, supported with explanations. Each guide includes five free online practice tests. Updates to questions and answers are provided as free downloads from […]
Broken bolt bends Cessna
The Cessna 180H had recently undergone maintenance to realign the main landing gear. During the third landing, the plane turned sharply to the left upon touchdown. The pilot attempted a go-around, but the airplane continued to veer off the runway surface, exited the runway safety area, and hit the upslope of a drainage ditch at the […]
Pictures of the day: Smoky Mountain Air Show
“Captain Hal” sent in these photos captured at the Smoky Mountain Air Show in Knoxville, Tenn., April 16-17. The first airshow in 11 years, it was “amazing to watch,” he reports. “The pictures don’t do the show justice at all,” he continued. “The sounds, feelings, and smells just don’t come across in the pictures. The […]
I’m a pilot, not an airman
The FAA should have titled the Practical Test Standards (PTS) replacement Pilot Certification Standards, not Airman Certification Standards (ACS). Regardless what you think of the new standards for awarding (or earning) a pilot — see there it is — certificate, the title is wrong. Never have I been asked, “Are you an airman?” And I’d hazard a […]
New book looks at ‘Milestones of Flight’
The National Air and Space Museum has the preeminent collection of aircraft anywhere. A new book – Milestones of Flight – looks at 29 legendary aircraft from the 1903 Wright Flyer to the MQ-1L Predator drone. While powered flight has a relatively short history, the achievements made are remarkable. Milestones of Flight uses the National […]