mtrescott Hello readers, I have big news to share with you! I produce and host a new weekly podcast called Aviation News Talk. which iPhone and iPad users can find here in the Apple Podcasts app. Yesterday I was surprised to discover that that show is now #1 in the Aviation category of Apple iTunes! I hope you … Read more
Here's a fun update from Jack Pelton, EAA Chairman, on AirVenture which starts this weekend, on the Aviation Geeks podcast. I'm substituting for co-host Rob Marks this summer while he writes a book. I invited Jack to be our guest this week and led the conversation. Great fun….and no, it's not to late for you to … Read more
Have you been out of the skies for more than 90 days? Or maybe for years, but plan to return someday soon? If so, you may want to attend one of AOPA’s Rusty Pilot seminars! As you know, sometimes life gets in the way. For pilots, flying is rarely their top priority as they build … Read more
If you’re lucky enough to be in the S.F. Bay area next week, don’t miss the Aero Club of Northern California luncheon featuring Dr. Morton Grosser presenting on the human-powered, Gossamer Airplane project. Luncheon is at 11:15 AM at Michaels at Shoreline, Mountain View, CA. Please send your name and choice of Cobb Salad, Chinese Chicken Salad, or Baked Canneloloni in an email to RSVP@aeroclubnorcal.org or call 408-634-8062.
If you’ve never heard Rod speak then you’re in for a real treat. He’s one of the funniest aviation speakers on the planet, so it’s bound to be hilarious evening. He will be honored on November 1 in San Carlos, CA at an Aero Club of Northern California dinner event. And it’s all for charity. Tickets just cover the price of dinner, but the Silent Auction…well that’s where the action is at. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
The retired 777 pilot I spoke with is not interested in being publically identified and I’ll alternate using he and she when describing this pilot’s comments to me. Note that this pilot flew the Boeing 777 for more than 10,000 hours.
He said that the only way a 777 gets slow is if the autothrottles are not engaged, even if they are armed. Yet she said that Boeing procedures are for the autothrottles to remain engaged throughout the landing until after the aircraft rolls out onto the runway. He also said that the crew would have had to turn off the autothrottles, as there is no autopilot mode that disengages them.
Finally there’s a device that so closely mirrors the real Garmin G1000 that I don’t need to make excuses for it. It’s the new GT Glass Trainer from Precision Flight Controls (PFC). Technically, most devices found in flight schools are not flight simulators. The FAA reserves that term for the million dollar devices used to train pilots in turboprops and jets. Most systems found in flight schools are AATDs, or Advanced Aviation Training Devices. The GT Glass Trainer is an AATD.
Enter the GT Glass Trainer. It is low cost compared to other G1000 AATDs, about $25,000, and I estimate it replicates the G1000 with 99.8% accuracy, vastly better than other devices I’ve seen. I’ll discuss why it’s so accurate in a moment.
When in doubt about a possible course of action, I think about how any subsequent NTSB report might read. Recently, a student and I had already started the engine, but the ATIS reported a direct crosswind gusting to the aircraft’s maximum demonstrated crosswind capability. The student was ready to go…
Generally, I don't write about local events, but this one is so special I'm making an exception. Get yourself however you can to San Carlos, California on November 9 for a night to remember. That's the night the Aero Club of Northern California will honor air show pilot Captain Julie Clark at their annual Crystal … Read more
Many look upon the flight instructor position as a stepping stone towards another career goal while earning poverty level wages. Other instructors are able to command six figure incomes and pursue a fulfilling career helping create knowledgeable and safe pilots.
One of the misconceptions in the aviation industry is that flight instructors will always make less than minimum wage and will live in poverty until they obtain a better flying job. Today I want to debunk this myth and help you become a successful flight instructor who has many students and is able to make a great living teaching.