Reality TV strikes again — this time with Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Job Interview. In the first episode, which aired Friday, Jan. 29, we followed Ron Vargas to South Africa. Ron’s goal is to become a bush pilot. He’s in South Africa to train with Milne “CC” Pocock, owner of Bush Air. The show isn’t just about flight training. […]
Touch & Go
Aviation fares better on NTSB’s Most Wanted List
The National Transportation Safety Board’s 2016 “Most Wanted List” is out. This is a top 10 list of factors the NTSB feels contribute to unsafe operations across all transportation sectors. Only one of the 10 call out aviation exclusively. Prevent Loss of Control in Flight in General Aviation Loss of Control is back on the […]
I’m already registered
The FAA has never shown interest in the airspace below the top of the 100-plus-foot tall evergreen trees that surround my home. They’ve never inspected. They’ve never inquired. Nothing. Why? In part because it isn’t “navigable” airspace. That all changed when the FAA recently issued an Interim Final Rule that states “anyone who owns a […]
Not all doom and gloom
Doom and gloom too often find the spotlight. While some view the world through Eeyore’s sad eyes, many are too busy enjoying what life — and flying — have to offer. A FRESHMAN’S FIRST SEMESTER Swayne Martin is a freshman at the University of North Dakota (UND). He also happens to co-lease a 1968 Cessna 172I with […]
EAA Chapter lives the aviation (and safety) lifestyle
REDDING, Calif. — EAA Chapter 157 is like any other Experimental Aircraft Association chapter. Or is it? According to FAASTeam representative William Hill, Chapter 157 stands out. In 2005, Hill was appointed the lead volunteer for northern California for the newly created FAASTeam. Hill committed to starting a monthly aviation safety seminar series. All he needed […]
Big changes for PBOR2 as it reaches another milestone
When the Pilot’s Bill of Rights 2 (PBOR2) was introduced, much ink (physical and digital) was spilled on the many shortcomings of Senator James Inhofe‘s proposed legislation. Many complained about the initial limitations of only being able to carry one passenger to no more than 10,000 feet in VFR only conditions using a driver’s license […]
Maybe we can register common sense
Here we go. U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and FAA Administrator Michael Huerta announced Oct. 19 “the creation of a task force to develop recommendations for a registration process for Unmanned Aircraft Systems.” The task force will be comprised of “25 to 30 diverse” industry representatives. “Registering unmanned aircraft will help build a culture of accountability and […]
Have an opinion? Of course you do. You’re a pilot
The wide range of opinions in the aviation community is something I continuously marvel at. Take our continuing coverage on the update of the Pilot’s Bill of Rights 2 legislation. The comments vary widely, both in scope and tone. “After patiently waiting these last few years to hear what the people we trusted have come up […]
Salem airspace do-over: Care to comment?
The FAA posted a notice of proposed rule making (NPRM) regarding Salem, Oregon’s McNary Field (KSLE) Class D and E airspace to the Federal Register on May 1, 2015. On Aug. 20, the proposed rule became final. No one noticed. This happens all too often. I’d hazard a guess that most of the time, it […]