Here is a list of 51 things that you will make you a better pilot. They are in no particular order but apply to all pilots from student pilot to an airline transport pilot (ATP). Hopefully you will read through the list and have an “ah-ha” moment.

Remember, being a pilot is learning and growing experience. It should be fun and rewarding.

I’ve only listed 51 here to keep it short and plan on doing another list, but I would like you to submit some of your thoughts. You can leave them in the comment section below. Anyway, here we go:

1. Explain to your passengers the basics of flying.

2. Always get a weather briefing.

3. Do your pre-flight like you are expecting to find something.

4. Drain fuel twice and pour it back into the fuel tank if clean.

5. Take water with you.

6. Take some food with you.

7. Take money with you, even if you are just flying in the airport traffic pattern.

8. Always clear your turns.

9. Check your flashlight during your pre-flight.

10. Take extra batteries.

11. Taxi like you are a member of the Blue Angels, not too fast and not too slow.

Read the rest of this entry »

If I had to pick between flying in a snow storm and shooting an approach to minimums in icing conditions or flying around thunderstorms, I would most the time pick flying in a snow storm.

The reason is because snow storms, for the most part, are predictable. If you fly into a snow storm in the CRJ200 or CRJ700, unless the visibility is zero or you are experiencing severe icing, you are most likely going to make it in. If you don’t, then you go to your alternate.

Thunderstorms though are a completely different monster. Flying into a thunderstorm can make you and your passengers miserable. It can also damage the airplane. Not something you want to have to explain to the chief pilot.

The 2005 Nall Report, within the pilot-related accidents for the category of general aviation, accidents, “Nearly 25 percent of fatal weather-related accidents were due to encounters with thunderstorms. All involved pilots were in contact with ATC, but still flew into severe conditions.”

I think that is too many. Don’t you?

It is easy in hindsight to judge those pilot’s decision-making, but then again, we weren’t there so we shouldn’t be too hasty to judge. But one thing I do know…if maybe those pilots had just a little more training, maybe they would still be alive today.

OK, so here is my big tip for pilots flying around near thunderstorms, “Don’t fly into a thunderstorm!” Easy enough, right? Well, maybe not that easy.

Read the rest of this entry »

You might not have heard, but on June 30, 2010, air traffic controllers (ATC), specifically ground controllers and tower controllers, are now required to issue specific runway crossing instructions for each runway to be crossed.

In the past, ground controllers would say, “Taxi to runway 35R via (taxiway) Golf and Echo.” In the past, this meant that you could cross ALL intersecting runways on your way to the departure runway unless stated otherwise.

The new phraseology though now starts with the runway you are going to taxi to and then the specific route they want you take will be stated along with any runway crossings or hold short instructions.

Here is an example, “SkyWest 1234, Runway 35R, taxi via Golf and Echo, cross Runway 12, hold short Runway 35L.”

Do you see the difference? The runway you are ultimately going to taxi to is the first thing stated after your callsign.

Furthermore, let’s say you will have to cross multiple runway intersections, the ground controller will stagger the crossing clearances so that you you can more clearly understand the clearance. Using our example above, the ground controller would not have you cross Runway 12 and Runway 35L, in the same clearance. As always, there is an exception. If say there are two parallel runways, and their centerlines are less than 1,000 feet apart, the controllers may clear you to cross both runways in the same clearance. Don’t forget to read back the hold short instructions!

Read the rest of this entry »

There are 3 things you need to do if you are going to be a career pilot. If you haven’t noticed, the economy is supposedly not doing too well and neither is the airline industry for that matter. I really dislike all the “fear mongering” that is going on but it is hard not to get caught up in it. I saw a bumper sticker once that said, “If you aren’t totally disgusted, then you are not paying attention.” Unfortunately though this bumper sticker is a message for every pilot flying the line or attempting to make a career in aviation and that is — you need a backup plan.

The Aviation Reality

Too many future pilots decide on aviation all starry-eyed, dreaming of flying heavy-metal and find that when they do get to airline industry that the pay, life style, and the work rules are a hard thing to swallow.

As a new hire at a regional airline, you will only make about $19 per hour (before taxes and insurance) for the first year which I believe puts you in or very near the official poverty level of modern day America. Put on top of that that after your first year, your pay will go up to a whopping $27 per hour, your life will be a little easier, but not much.

It doesn’t help these days either that captain upgrades, even at the best regional airlines, are taking between 5 to 10 years now.

What can you do?

Read the rest of this entry »

Click Here for Immediate Discount

PilotWorkshop is offering their “IFR Proficiency Series” for $100 off their original price until June 21st, 2010.  

After that they are stopping the discount and going back to the normal price. 

Now, whether you are a Private Pilot, Instrument Pilot or ATP, and you like to learn, you will want to at least check out their website. This information is compiled by some of the best flight instructors and pilots in the industry right now. 

Their insights and “secrets” are things that you just can’t get from from anywhere else. 

And like I said, right now, it is $100 off and well that is one flight lesson right there. Think of the things you can learn. 

IFR Proficiency Series for $100 less 

Check out their website. Once you get there you can read about all the great stuff they will send you for this insanely discounted product on instrument (IFR) flying. 

If you don’t do it, you’ll kick yourself. Why? Because some of the greatest names in flight instructing and aviation have contributed to the development of this material. You can’t find this anywhere else! 

So before you do ANYTHING else, click on the link below and just check it out.  

Get the “IFR Proficiency Series” here  

Remember, the price goes back up June 21st, 2010. You won’t be able to get it again for at least another six months if you miss it now. 

Oh, and one more thing… 

You might be asking yourself, “Do I really need this? After all, I’m just a Private Pilot [Instrument Pilot, ATP, astronaut, etc.]”  

Well let me put it this way…flying is all about learning. The more you learn, the safer you are. If you really love flying, and you are a Private Pilot, trust me, you will definitely benefit from this information. If you want to one day get your instrument rating, this will give you a great head start! 

If you ARE an instrument rated pilot or ATP, you will benefit also. Personally, I never stop reading and learning and I have thousands of hours and trust me, this is good stuff! 

To Your Flying Success, 

Jeffrey