The AirlineReporter website has recently posted this really cool high definition vide of FAA flight traffic data for a 24 hour period over the United States. And if you think this video is cool, check out the website of its creator (Aaron Koblin) who has also posted additional pictures where manufacturer, altitude and model data are visualized in both form and in different colors.
How do I renew an old and expired pilot’s license?
Paul, one of the bloggers on AskaCFI.com, was recently asked a question by a reader that has no doubt crossed the mind of many one-time pilots:
I stopped flying over 20 years ago and would like to start again. What do I need to do to get reissued my license?
To begin his answer, Paul noted that there has been some “really neat advances in technology since 1989, especially in avionics.” This of course is putting it mildly as he is quick to add that “if you get the chance to fly a newer airplane, it’ll blow your socks off!”
Paul then answers the reader’s question by pointing out that if you are a USA based piloted, there are a couple of different federal aviation regulations that pertain to renewing an old pilot license:
- § 61.19 Duration of pilot and instructor certificates
- § 61.2 Exercise of Privilege
- § 61.23 Medical certificates: Requirement and duration.
- § 61.56 Flight Review
- § 61.57 Recent Flight Experience : Pilot in command
He then goes into some detail about each of these regulations and then he comes up with a plan-of-action to get his reader back in the cockpit. This plan-of-action included:
- Call an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) and schedule an appointment for obtaining your FAA medical certificate.
- Once you have a current medical certificate in hand, call a CFI and schedule a biennial flight review (BFR).
- Apply for your new plastic certificate.
Of course and USA regulations aside, the key takeaways for non-USA based pilots is to first determine what the applicable regulations are and then to come up with a plan of action that takes those regulations into account. With this approach, you will soon determine just how difficult it will be to get back into the cockpit again.
How do I choose a flight school?
If you are planning to learn how to fly, choosing the right flight is critical. After all, learning how to fly is a huge investment in both time and money. Hence, both a video along with recent post (What do you mean by Part 61 or Part 141?) created by Jason Schappert of MzeroA.com are well worth reviewing.
In fact, the video created by Jason, which was intended for the AOPA’s Let’s Go Flying Blog, lasts for 10 minutes – in other words, its very comprehensive and well worth watching. On the other hand, the blog post focuses on the rules and requirements associated with Part 61 and Part 141.
According to Jason, the key things to think about when choosing a flight school are:
- Do I want to train Part 61 or 141?
- How much am I willing to spend?
- How much time can I actually invest?
In addition, the key questions to remember to ask a flight school are:
- What is the average total cost?
- Is ground school provided?
- What is you maintenance policy?
Keeping the above advice in mind along with watching Jason’s video and reading his post about Part 61 and Part 141 will go a long way towards helping you choose the flight school that best suits your needs.
Heard on commercial airlines
The following are quotes heard on various Airlines over the years:
- "Your seat cushions can be used for flotation and in the event of an emergency water landing please take them with our compliments."
- "We do feature a smoking section on this flight: if you must smoke, contact a member of the flight crew and we will escort you to the wing of the airplane."
- "In the event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, oxygen masks will drop from the ceiling. Stop screaming, grab the mask, and pull it over your face, If you have a small child traveling with you, secure your mask before assisting with theirs. If you are traveling with two small children, decide now which one you love more."
- "Smoking in the lavatories is prohibited. Any person caught smoking in the lavatories will be asked to leave the plane immediately"
- "As you exit the plane, please make sure to gather all of your belongings Anything left behind will be distributed evenly among the flight attendants. Please do not leave children or spouses."
- "Last one off the plane must clean it."
What instruments do I need for a VFR flight?
Jason Schappert has recently created a short video with a great acronym to remember what instruments are required for VFR flights. His acronym for day flights: A-TOMATO-FLAMES. Here is what it stands for:
- A – Altimeter
- T – Tachometer
- O – Oil Temperature Gauge
- M – Manifold Pressure Gauge (If applicable)
- A – Airspeed Indicator
- T – Temperature Gauge (For each liquid cooled engine)
- O – Oil Pressure Gauge
- F – Fuel Gauges
- L – Landing Gear Position Indicator (If applicable)
- A – Anti Collision Lights (For aircraft manufactured after March 11, 1996)
- M – Magnetic Compass
- E – ELT
- S – Seat Belts
And if you happen to be flying at night, just add FLAPS:
- F – Fuses
- L – Landing Light
- A – Anti Collision Lights
- P – Position Lights
- S – Source of Power
Hence and on your next checkride, just remember: A-TOMATO-FLAMES-FLAPS
Accident report: Low pass through a power line
Here was an interesting accident report that recently appeared on General Aviation News. A pilot was flying over a lake near Litchfield, Illinois, and he did not see any obstacles other than some birds. Hence, performed a low pass approximately 100 feet above the lake and did so without incident. However and during a second low pass, he heard an impact noise. This was was immediately followed by a loss of engine power along with some engine vibration that forced him to make a landing in a nearby muddy field. Shortly after touchdown, the plane nosed over but luckily the pilot was not hurt – although damage to the plane was substantial.
The later accident investigation determined that the airplane’s propeller had hit a static wire that was strung across the lake approximately 40 feet above the water. This wire was part of a two-wire power transmission line that the pilot obviously did not know about or had not spotted. Lesson learned: If you are not familiar with the area, do not attempt any low passes for any reason!