Flight Stories

What the heck is a Q-route?

This is great follow-up question to a previous post, “Can you use a q-route below FL180?”. The question came to me after posting a link to that post on my Twitter profile.
So what the heck is a Q-route?
Well.  There are primarily three types of airways:
1) VOR Federal airways - This is the airway system that [...]

What the fastest way to reinstate my CFI?

Mike writes in asking:
I am an out of work, corporate pilot who has let his CFI expire . I am applying for a job that requires a valid CFI license. I have not instructed for some time. In your opinion, what is the most cost effective and painless approach to re-instating my license?
Hi Mike.  There [...]

How I learned to fly

(This was originally published for AOPA’s Let’s Go Flying Blog)
One of the enjoyable things about being a corporate pilot is the relationship and conversations I enjoy with my passengers.  Inevitably the question usually comes up in conversation, “So, how did you learn to fly?”  Here is my answer:
I was one of those boys obsessed with airplanes. I loved drawing airplanes, tracing airplane [...]

It is taking me a while to solo, any advice?

Michael writes me asking:
Hi, I am currently working towards my PPL but am still not ready for solo despite having approximately 35 hours of flight time. The problem is the landing - the flare in particular - and I just do not seem to be getting it. Initially, I was not flaring at all and [...]

How to get rid of your checkride butterflies

Checkride.
What is your first thought when you hear that word? Excitement? Anxiety? Fear?
A checkride for many pilots can be a wave of varying emotions.  Excited by the prospect of another rating, anxious to perform well for the examiner and possible fear of the consequences of a failed maneuver or demonstration.

If something doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t (personal story)

I was on my way home tonight and had an interesting experience that I thought I would share.
I fly often between Springfield, Ohio and Chicago, Illinois.  This is a pretty regular trip and I am familiar with how much fuel I can depart with out of Springfield, make the round trip to Chicago and still [...]

Lessons Learned

The FAA has just released a new web tool / service called “Lessons Learned” and it is worth checking out.  The idea behind the site of course, is learning lessons from aviation accidents.  And although the site focuses mainly on commercial transport category accidents, there is still something to be taken away for even an [...]

I wish I had a camera.

How many times have you said that to yourself?
Last night was one of those nights. There was an amazing strong thunderstorm that passed through Chicago last night around 7:30 P.M. Right after it passed through, there was an amazing scene that I feel fortunate enough to witness. Picture this…dark clouds on the [...]

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