Across the Continent by Small Aircraft

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Dave Chilenski

Air Fact Journal has a another great post. It is written by Marvin Homsley who took his Swift from Toldedo, OH to Homer, AK last summer. As someone who would like to do long cross-countries like this some day, it is quite a read:

“KULM – KMOT Minot, North Dakota
No radar here so when we were about 7 miles out from the airport we had to break off the approach and get out of the way of a DC-9 that was overtaking us and did not have us in sight….US Customs (EAPIS) must be filled out on a computer. I had trouble getting on the website because I was using http and not https. It took about two hours total filling out the electronic forms, the on site customs crew helped out a lot toward the end. This stuff was hard for me the first time but then it got easy after a couple of times. Yes, you need US Customs permission to LEAVE the United States as well as returning.”

Thanks for writing this up, Marvin! Read the entire article here.

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Cognitive Maps & GPS

Posted on February 5, 2012 by Dave Chilenski

I was pointed to this editorial by fellow aviator Mike Weidhaas. It is a fascinating to see the potential application to VFR flying with and without GPS.

“Our brains act economically: they try to decrease the amount of information to be stored (e.g., by relating new thoughts to already known content) and avoid storing unnecessary information. That may be the unconscious appeal of a GPS, but it means we’re not pushing our brains to work harder.

And a GPS device may even contradict your mental map by telling you to go left (e.g., for a faster highway) while your target is actually to the right. All of this leads us to use our mental maps even less.

But shouldn’t we just accept that GPS is a good substitute for old-fashioned maps? No. Navigational devices can be time-savers, but they can easily become crutches. Break your GPS, and you may find yourself lost.”

I read once that your brain is a muscle, and like a muscle, you have to exercise it to keep it sharp. It appears the evidence for that case is mounting.

Posted in Avionics, Procedures | Leave a comment

Free Pilot Discussion Sessions

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Dave Chilenski

We are co-sponsoring a series pilot discussion sessions in conjunction with Gateway Flight Training LLC, underwritten by the generous support from Spirit Pilot Shop. Sessions are free to anyone with an interest in flying. Each session is designed to engage pilots in a topic discussion with a moderator to direct the discussion. Pilots that are registered in the WINGS program may receive the appropriate WINGS credits for attending these sessions. VFR and IFR pilots share knowledge and experience.

TIME: 6:30 pm.
DAY: TUESDAY’s
LOCATION: Creve Coeur Airport (1H0) 3127 Creve Coeur Mill Road, Maryland Heights, Mo. 63146

CONTACT:
Join the mailing list: visit here.
Questions? You can email our president here.

TOPICS:
1-24-2012 Risk Management
** NEXT SESSION ** —–> 2-07-2012 Winter operations
2-21-2012 Aircraft Systems
3-06-2012 Night Illusions
3-20-2012 Using VOR’s
4-03-2012 Runway and Airport Markings and Signs
4-17-2012 Approach lights
5-01-2012 Cross Country planning
5-15-2012 Radio Communication Procedures
5-29-2012 Weather- Fronts

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Hand-Propping

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Dave Chilenski

Propeller; ccimage courtesy of dieseldemon on flickr


Early in my flight instruction, I trained in a Luscombe that required hand-propping. While previous generations were proficient with this way of starting an aircraft, more recent aviators have little experience with aircraft without a starter. Hand-propping can be done safely if strict safety protocols are put in place. Unfortunately, today’s news brings us word of the dangers of hand-starting an engine:

“A resident of Lakeside, California was reportedly killed when the propeller of a Piper PA-28R-200 he was hand-propping struck him in the head at Gillespie Field in El Cajon. The accident happened Monday at about 0830, and has elicited numerous comments within the community about the proper technique for hand-starting, and whether it should be attempted at all.

KGTV News has identified the victim as 41-year-old Gordon Woodard, a vice president and lead engineer for Southern California Soil and Testing, Inc., with offices in the Grantville area. Woodard, who owned the plane, was reportedly transported to Sharp memorial Hospital in San Diego, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.”

Read the entire account on Aero-News Network here.

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Solar Storm

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Dave Chilenski

A solar storm; ccimage courtesy of NASA Goddard Photo and Video


Last week, a solar storm made a lot of news because of its effect on polar flights. From Businessweek:

“Airlines are at risk for a loss of communications on Arctic routes because they use high-frequency radios on flights in the region instead of satellite-based systems, said Doug Biesecker, a solar physicist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center. Solar storms can interfere with the radio signals, he said.

“This one is unusual because it’s so strong,” Biesecker said in an interview from Boulder, Colorado. He said it was the 11th-most-powerful storm measured since 1975.”

Read the whole Businessweek article here.

AVweb has an interesting podcast on how solar storms could affect GPS coverage. You can find it here.

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16-Year-Old Solos in St. Charles

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Dave Chilenski

Bradley Rea after his Solo; Photo credit: Mike Weidhaas

In early January of this year a 16-year-old broke the surly bonds and headed up for three trips around the pattern – by himself. Bradley Rea soloed a Cessna 152 at St. Charles County Airport (KSET) two days after his 16th birthday. The Federal Aviation Administration allows students to solo an aircraft after their 16th birthday, however the feat is rarely accomplished. Today, the average age of someone obtaining a pilot’s license is firmly ensconced by those in their mid-30s. Rea is a junior at Hazelwood Central High School and the grandson of CFI and Aviation entrepreneur Herman Rea who has be a part of St. Louis aviation for over 30 years.

Congratulations, Brad!

Rea with his student pilot license endorsed for solo.

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Adios, Paper Medical!

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Dave Chilenski

AOPA Online has a story that focuses on the FAA announcement of the end of the paper medical. That’s the “PAPER” medical, not all medicals.

“As of Oct. 1, 2012, aviation medical examiners will no longer accept paper applications. Federal Air Surgeon Fred Tilton announced the coming change to AMEs in the latest medical bulletin, calling on flight physicians to “significantly increase” use of the MedXPress system.

The electronic medical certificate application system, introduced by the FAA in 2007, is relatively easy to use, and offers several benefits to computer-savvy pilots. Errors that once resulted from poor penmanship or transcription—errors that frequently resulted in delayed issuance of a medical certificate should no longer happen. The electronic system should also make application processing more efficient, with less time spent by AME and FAA staff. This, in turn, will allow the FAA staff to focus their efforts on the more complex medical certification cases that require additional time for review.”

You can catch up on the entire story here.

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Touchscreens from now on

Posted on January 29, 2012 by Dave Chilenski

Touchscreens for everything; ccimage courtesy of bark on flickr


J. Mac McClellan spends an interesting blog post on whether touchscreens are here to stay. The verdict? You betcha.

“The issue of transitioning from dedicated knobs and buttons to touchscreen menus is actually being resolved by our everyday lives. Most of us are spending so much time using touchscreen devices that it has, or quickly will be, the norm. When I call Exec Air and ask them to fuel the airplane I use a touchscreen. I typically use my smart phone to enter the flight plan into flightplan.com. I use a touchscreen in the car when I drive to the airport. So it’s just natural that in the airplane touchscreens will be there.”

Read the entire article here.

Posted in Avionics | Leave a comment

Club Mixer Tomorrow!

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Dave Chilenski

We’ll meet tomorrow morning (Jan 28th) at 10am at the T-6 hangar for our latest club mixer.

Please ensure you’ve done the following preflight planning:

1. Plan the route of your flight to Mt. Vernon (KMVN). Here is one suggestion to consider.

2. Review runway lengths, and NOTAMs for KMVN.

3. Check the weather for a planned departure at approximately 1645 Zulu.

4. Weight and Balance will be completed when we have the aircraft
assignments at the hangar. If you’d like to preview our new w&b tools
you can find them here.

5. And that FAA catch-all from Part 91.103 – please review “all
available information”

We are planning to eat at the restaurant at Mt. Vernon.

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Things to do with your pilot certificate

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Dave Chilenski

I know I just recently linked to these guys, but Air Facts Journal has another great post up. They have the 11 things you need to do with your pilot certificate before you die.

“Everyone’s dream list will vary, but let me suggest 11 things that every pilot should do before they die. Call it a bucket list if you want, but I consider it a flight plan for a fulfilling life in the cockpit:”

I’m particularly fond of #6:

“Go on a flying family vacation. As this website declares, “There is nothing as rewarding and satisfying as using an airplane to go places.” That’s especially true when you can take your family with you, and show them that all the time and money you spend on flying can pay off. It probably won’t be a flawless trip the first time, but that’s part of the fun. Plan a relaxed schedule that allows you to enjoy the flying as much as the beach.”

Check the whole list out here.

Posted in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment