August, 2008

Flight School Supply List. What supplies you really need for a private pilot license.

Like most parents at this time of year, I’m making my daily trek to Wal-mart to buy school supplies for my kids. Even if you don’t have kids, I’m sure you can remember being sent home with a list of needed school supplies that ranged from protractors to rulers. Good times.
If you are [...]

How does the word “short” contribute to incidents?

I’ve mentioned before that one of my favorite monthly reads is the “Callback” safety bulletin produced by NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System. I just received notice in my inbox that this month’s bulletin, “Short Takes” is available for viewing. Here is the URL to read the safety bulletin for yourself:
http://asrs.arc.nasa.gov/publications/callback/cb_344.htm
As the email they [...]

Why does a T-route have a MAA?

I love getting questions from readers and my favorite questions are the ones I don’t already know.  Such as the question I received lately from Jon regarding the max altitude on Tango routes:
Hi Paul. I’ve always wondered. On the Jacksonville sectional here in Florida we got a few T-Airways where the MAA is 15 000 [...]

Trust your instructor

My most recent flight training question comes from Holly who asks:
So I am a new student pilot.  So far, I really like my CFI. He’s very knowledgable, patient and we have we have a good raport. However, on our second official training flight, my CFI said we were going to learn slow flight and recovering [...]

I lost my logbook, now what?

I just received an email from Scott, asking about what to do when you lose your logbook:
In previous years I have accumulated approx. 30 to 35 hours in student training in the air, either with my instructors or by myself, Unfortunately I have lost my log book. What should I do ? Both of my [...]

How should I log safety pilot time?

Here’s a good question concerning logging of pilot time that I received from Don:
Can one log time as a safety pilot? If so, under what heading, eg, PIC, or a separate category “safety pilot“? Thanks.
First a quick review.
A “safety pilot” is a required flight crew member when another pilot is flying under simulated or actual [...]

How do I instruct a flight student who has ADHD?

I have been really amazed at the timing of some of the questions I have been receiving from readers lately.  The last two questions that have been asked of me have been questions I have asked myself within the past week.  This morning’s question is a perfect example:
Paul, I’ve been teaching this gal with ADD…how [...]

Required Equipment for Overwater Flights

Here is a question I received this morning regarding required equipment for over water flights:
I’d like to fly to the Florida Keys. Of course, we all know the FAR about flying high enough to get to land power off. I can’t find the rule about flying over water and what the requirements are for equipment. [...]

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