“The FCC’s and the telecom industry’s approach of ‘deploy now, fix later’ is anathema to the strong safety culture we have created and nourished in aviation over the last 20 years. In aviation, we never roll the dice with safety. We never run headlong into a possible hazard to the safety of flight without a full and complete assessment and mitigation of those risks.”
flying
An increasingly dangerous traffic pattern
“It seems like the traffic pattern at LMO has become increasingly dangerous. Many instructors have had near misses with other pilots not making calls or entering the pattern however they wish.”
Misconceptions and outright lies we tell ourselves
We all have misconceptions in life. And some of us lie to ourselves rather than accept the truth for what it is. In the aviation world this same human tendency to discard accepted, proven knowledge in favor of a deeply held but poorly understood personal belief can lead to disaster.
The insurance woes of older pilots
A new survey finds that while pilots over 70 fly more hours and have more ratings than younger pilots, the insurance industry is raising their premiums — or canceling their insurance coverage — based only on age.
Extreme frequency congestion leads to near miss
Communication in the area was encumbered by heavy usage and several radio calls we made were blocked due to other transmissions, leading to confusion over aircraft positions at the airport we were using.
Picture of the Day: Rainbow climb out
Rob Stapleton submitted this photo and note: “Recent early fall rain storms offered this view of a Cessna 185 climbing out after departing Lake Hood Seaplane Base (PALH) in Anchorage, Alaska, headed northeast toward the Chugach mountains.”
On track: Finding the right landing gear for giant bombers
On the way to finding the best landing gear for giant bombers, some looked to using a track mechanism, similar to a tank.
Aircraft sales grow 13% so far in 2021
After a dismal 2020, aircraft deliveries are up so far in 2021, according to new figures from the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. “The first nine months of 2021 have shown great progress and we look forward to seeing how the year closes out,” GAMA President Pete Bunce said.
Accident Case Study: Into Thin Air
A new Accident Case Study from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s Air Safety Institute looks at the events that led a Beechcraft Bonanza G36 to crash shortly after departing Aspen, Colorado.