ASA’s 2010 Test Preps (books for pilots), Fast-Track Test Guides (books for mechanics), Prepware (software for pilots and mechanics), and Virtual Test Preps (DVDs for pilots) are now available. ASA’s Test Prep Series for pilots include the FAA questions and answer choices, explanations for correct and incorrect answers, references for all aircraft categories (airplane, rotorcraft, […]
Practical IFR Flying premieres
Just released is “Practical IFR Flying.” The CD provides an hour of information on methods and techniques on single pilot IFR flying from Chuck McGill, the 2009 FAA CFI of the Year, Western Pacific Region, who has taught for the AOPA Air Safety Foundation, the Cessna Pilots Association, and the Mooney Aircraft Pilots Association Safety […]
Sandel sets test schedule for HTAWS
Sandel Avionics will begin flight testing its Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System (HTWAS) Oct. 20 at Corporate Helicopters of San Diego. Designed to enhance rotorcraft safety by complying with the recently issued FAA Technical Standard Order (TSO) C194 governing HTAWS, the Sandel HTAWS is a self-contained system developed specifically for helicopter use. Derived from […]
Fuel exhaustion brings pilot up short
The pilot’s mismanagement of the fuel supply, resulting in fuel starvation.
Don’t paint pitot tubes
The FAA has issued an Information for Operators (InFO) warning pilots not to paint pitot tubes. According to the FAA, an InFO “contains valuable information for operators that should help them meet certain administrative, regulatory, or operational requirements with relatively low urgency or impact on safety.” The latest InFO, dated Aug. 18, informs aircraft operators […]
Tips to reduce spark plug fouling
Q: In my pilot club meeting last month, a pilot complained of spark plug fouling before takeoff in our Grumman Cheetah with 150-hp Lycoming. I suggested that after starting the engine, and before taxiing, she lean the mixture, keep it lean while taxiing and put on full rich for run-up. However, if there is a […]
Plane lands on Massachusetts freeway
The pilot of a Piper Cherokee who made an emergency landing on southbound Interstate 495 near Mansfield, Mass., Sept. 1 had been practicing stalls and could not restart the plane’s engine, a spokesman for the FAA was quoted in a story in The Boston Globe. The story reports: “The Cherokee, piloted by Matthew Kleindienst, 24, […]
Bahamas goes after the GA market
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation is targeting the multi-billion general aviation/private plane market, recently rolling out the red carpet to lavishly pamper key aviation executives, according The Bahamas Weekly. A four day/three night familiarization tour of the Bahamas attracted pilots, and representatives from aviation clubs, associations, schools, FBOs and the Aircraft Owners and […]
Go ahead and pull that chute
London Aviation Underwriters now waives the entire deductible for Cirrus SR20 and SR22 pilots who deploy the parachute to save their lives. According to a story by Alton K. Marsh at AOPA.org, the insurance company commonly waives deductibles if an aircraft is destroyed. The story notes: “The offer simply formalizes that situation.”