The NTSB report on the Bedford G-IV crash has been released, and “pilot error” doesn’t even begin to describe it. How do respected, well-trained, experienced pilots screw up so badly? And could it ever happen to us? Sadly, the answer is “yes”. Read more →
Many people aspire to travel internationally. It looks glamorous. Feels that way too — sometimes. But from a pilot’s perspective, there are plenty of things about flying abroad that make me realize how good we have it here at home. Read more →
The safety record for private, Part 91 flying is significantly worse than that of charter and airline operators. Call me crazy, but I’d argue that this is actually a good thing. Here’s why. Read more →
I recently encountered a uniquely modified aircraft in Hawaii that got me thinking about how business jets serve millions of people who never get to ride in them and are probably not even aware of their existence. Even in the GA community, I’d imagine plenty of folks would be surprised how many of these customized airplanes are out there and what they do for us on a daily basis. Read more →
Culling through NOTAMs is like having dental work done without Novocain: it’s unnecessarily painful. There are better ways to serve up important flight data, ones that save both time and money. So why aren’t we using them? Read more →
Statistically, pilots are the cause of about 90% of all accidents. If we’re the weakest link, would aviation safety be better served by removing us from the cockpit? Read more →
The latest crop of long-range business aircraft have the ability to traverse most of the world’s routes non-stop. For those which remain out of reach, I muse about whether the added range is worth pursuing in an environment of diminishing returns. Read more →
If safety is paramount in aviation, why do the least experienced professional pilots sometimes fly the most challenging aircraft and profiles? Why do the newest instructors teach the most difficult courses? Isn’t that backwards? Read more →
“Who’s the best pilot you ever saw?” That famous line from The Right Stuff inspired me to ask what constitutes a great pilot in the real world. Read more →
While the FAA employs many quality individuals, as a whole, the agency seems to be falling apart on us. Here are several examples of how FAA policies are hurting GA and how the trend can be reversed. Read more →