Simpleflight Radio

This week on SimpleFlight Radio! How often do you practice manuevers that you might often need? If you're like most general aviation pilots, your answer will probably be, "rarely".  Whether it's an engine out, runway trim, loss of automation, or the need for a go around, being ready for these incidents is more than just theory.  This week's discussion also included examples that impacts the non-pilot in the aviation community.  For example, how often does ATC practice commanding airliners to "go around" or to "abort a takeoff"?  After listening to the ATC tape of the aborted take off of a British Airways 777 (engine fire) in Las Vegas, you'd guess that they practice it all the time (take a listen)! 

There are multiple perspectives to airplane ownership.  Tonight, Al and Marc discuss the maintenance side. Not unlike a Doctor / Patient relationship, communication is key.  How can an owner continually tell his mechanic that there is an oil leak that is getting progressively worse; have the A&P respond that the pilot is putting in too much oil, and then one week out of annual, tell the owner he needs 6 new cylinders?  It's a true story.  Listen in to get the rest of the story.   Blue Skies & Tailwinds    

    The IMSAFE checklist is a great tool for ensuring a pilot considers all factors when "clearing himself for flight".  While Marc started off tonight's show discussing common mistakes pilots make when it comes to maintaining their medical, he quickly moved on to the equally compelling discussion of the fitness for flight of the airplane itself.     When there is an indication (gauge, warning light, etc), by the airplane that there is a problem, and you are convinced it is not a problem, do you decide to depart?  Even if it is a problem, do you make a determination that it is ultimately not going to affect the safety of the flight?  Go or No Go?  Where is the line?  How do you make that decision?  And what do you require of yourself as a back up plan, .... if any?  And what about if there is no indication that anything is wrong, but you are sure that something is different from normal, but can't identify it.  Or as happened to Marc, all indications were that all was good, but he felt the annunciators were n

Al had a great set of experiences flying across Texas recently, which became the focus of tonight's show.  Did you know there was a restriction on flights leaving Dallas Love airport that limited commercial flying to adjoining states?   It's true.  From friendly FBO's, to empathetic flight schools, to fun check rides, and even cool military airports, Texas made quite the impression on Al.  We think it will do the same for you.The rest of our time with you was spent on Hangar Talk type items, including the rarity of CFI's endorsing commercial students and AOPA's "one week to solo" initiative.  As always an enjoyable hour.  Thanks for listening.   Blue Skies and Tailwinds  

  It's hard to believe we've been on the air for three years.  Proof that we are true avgeeks and that we love doing our show.     Tonight's show was one stream of consciousness covering Oshkosh, current events, training, a look back at the past three years and what one can only describe as Hangar Flying.  Many listeners tell us this type of show is their favorite as it makes you feel like you're sitting in the hangar talking "pilot" stuff with no goal other than putting a smile on your face and a warmth that flows through your veins.     We thank all of you for being part of our family and look forward to growing and maturing together over the next several years..   Blue Skies and Tailwinds!!!

  Fresh off of OSH15, Marc felt like an Airventure review from multiple perspectives was in order.  It's easy to understand the view from a General Aviation Private Pilot, but what about from the perspective of an 11 year old, who has never been before?  Or maybe a parent that took him there, that has never been part of the GA community.  That's what we did tonight.  Welcome to Nic Partington, who has recently discovered a love for aviation.  Enter father John, who got up on Saturday and put Nic in the car for the 3 hour drive to Oshkosh.  Walking the main drag, Nic saw first hand what a Citation, Cirrus, Icon, etc. looks like from the inside, up close and personal.  And then the air show started.  The formation flying, aerobatics, and the TORA TORA TORA reenactment certainly had an impact.  Getting both Nic and John's feelings of their first Oshkosh provides great insight into the mind of the non-pilot.  At the very least, we learned that regardless of the age or whether a person has a pilot's license or no

Well maybe not Tease, but rather "T's".  Al and Marc took a page out of earlier shows by bringing in a guest (Liam Kakavas) to talk about his new company, GearUp Design (www.gearup-design.com).  Liam combines high quality T-Shirts, with aviation symbology to bring a new look to aviation attire.  Check out his designs.  Some personal favorites include "High Intensity" and "Minimums".  Which is your favorite? Marc and Al had interesting discussions that are in need of your input.  In an engine out situation, what are your considerations for an off airport landing.  Do you consider people on the ground or just those in the airplane?  In the water or on the beach?  Let us know what you think.Also discussed were some tips and tricks to get more out of your flying experience.  FBO Hacks to get more value from your FBO visits and the benefits of requesting a "Through Clearance".  You don't know what that is?  Listen in and add that to your aviation vernacular.Next week is OSH week.  Exciting times to say the least.

Have you ever been flying with a pilot buddy and he/she decides to make a suggestion on how you could be doing a better job?  Maybe something as simple as changing the MFD moving map from North Up to Track Up?  Or using Comm 1 and Comm 2 in a different way then you're used to.  Most times it doesn't feel too good, but sometimes it can save your life.  Indeed its a fine line.  When do you cross that line and when do you button that lip of yours and enjoy the ride?  These are the questions Marc and Al discuss in tonight'sepisode.  What do you think?  Let us know how you determine whether to pipe up or shut up.How dependent are you on your tablet?  Al has always been a big iPad user, and running out of battery in flight has been a constant worry.  Well no more.  He learned about moving to his iPhone for his inflight navigation, using less battery, less cockpit real estate, while increasing his outside visibility.  Take a listen and hear how he made the transition.They guys also talked about pilot excursions to s

We aren't talking about pilots that followed the evil side of the force, but rather good pilot's that for one reason or another, seem to have lost their way with some pretty basic skills.  Al confessed to having trouble with his basic landing skills, after building a pretty good track record with the airlines, corporate flying, and teaching a lot of people how to land a single engine airplane.  Marc was not immune  either as he was reminded of his difficulty in Pipers, after becoming accustomed to landing SR 22's and a V-Tail.  What is it that makes that happen?  And how long will those skills desert us?  Tough questions to be answered.  The answer may just start with flying with an expert to advise and coach us.  Just as Michael Jordan had a shooting coach and Tiger Woods employed a coach (bad example these days), all of us need an objective view of what's going on and what is necessary to correct it.  It may be a CFI or a flying buddy, but if your results are changing, it means you're doing something differ

I'm not sure why, but this weekend made me take pause from a General Aviation perspective.  There were two fatal accidents in SW Missouri that caught my eye.  The first, was a tragic story of a father, mother, and two children that were killed when the A36 took off from a friend's grass field, only to stall at about 100 feet over the tree tops.  Their 5 year old is in critical condition.  The second was a business owner that entered into a thunderstorm which ripped his Saratoga into pieces.  As a pilot, I immediately jumped to the conclusion in the first accident that the field may have been short, soft, and probably at a high density altitude.  With 5 people, even though three were children, luggage, and who knows how much fuel, I can imagine the pilot saw the trees coming at him, pulled back and took aim for the tree tops.  My theory could be way off base, but if it is, then this type of accident probably happened somewhere else recently.  Since no thunderstorm has ever outpaced an airplane, the pilot flew

Are You Aviation Radio Friendly?One of the greatest assets the U.S. Airspace has to offer today's pilot is the air traffic control system.  But how do we leverage it, and how do we become a value added participant?That's what Marc and Al discussed tonight.  Pilots that aren't comfortable in the system can slow it down and make it less effective for all other pilots.  Some of the faux pas' include: Not being prepared to speak.  This usually ends up with the pilot doing a lot of thinking while the push to talk button is pushed. Be careful of holding the push to talk switch and leaving dead air! Watch the number of "Uhhhh's and Ummm's" Using a lot of extra words 2.  Not knowing where they are.But for those that practice their communication by adhering to the following tips, will get more out of the system for themselves and their fellow pilots.1.  Saying your initial call to ATC in your head first, prior to pushing the mic button and saying it the second time;2.  Confirming your location with your avionics,

Marc and Al kicked off a new format tonight by bringing a quick hit to the airwaves.  Tonight's topic is what three things will make you a better pilot.  Marc took one tact, and Al another.  Together, the came up with some things that will make you a more confident, comfortable, and proficient pilot. Marc's List of 3 tips for being a better pilot: Understand your aircraft's systems. Purposeful Practice Proactive Planning Al's List of 3 tips for bing a better pilot: Savor the moment when leaving the airport after flying Be polite to ATC! Pilot Manners Don't get behind on your logbook Do you agree?  Let us know either way.  We'll pass on your tips on next week's show.  We'll also introduce another topic that is sure to be insightful, intriguing, and fun!