Question of the Day

What is "preventative maintenance" and what regulation defines it? 

Question of the Day

Why don't we use ailerons in a spin recovery? 

Question of the Day

It has been a while since I have made a post. Here is a question of the day. I am doing spin training, so I thought in honor of that I would ask this one.

What causes an aircraft to spin and what are the Phases of a spin?

Question of the Day

What is the region of reverse command? (It is also known as "operating on the backside of the power curve.")

Question of the Day

For propeller driven aircraft...when is P-factor most pronounced? 

Question of the Day

What is shown in the picture below? How do you use it?

Question of the Day

What code should you enter into your transponder during an emergency? How about a communications failure? 

Question of the Day

What is a compressor stall? 

Flight Safety: Fly the Plane!

What is the first thing you should do in any situation? Fly the plane! Always remember that your first priority is to maintain control of the aircraft and to be aware of what it is doing at any given time.  

Question of the Day

What are you required to have in order to operate a high performance aircraft?

Question of the Day

How often must you complete a flight review (or equivalent) in order to stay current?

Question of the Day

What are several different types of trim systems? 

Flight Safety: Have you become complacent?

So you are about to conduct a routine flight. It isn't any different than the hundreds of flights you have conducted prior to today. You file your flight plan, calculate weight and balance and performance, check the weather, etc. Then you head out to the ramp and start your inspection of the aircraft. You run through the checklist like usual and everything looks good...or does it? Sometimes when we get so used to a routine we become complacent and only see what we expect to...not what is actually in front of us. As you can imagine this is a hazard. 

I was in for a rude awakening not to long ago. As in the scenario above, I was on a routine flight with my flight instructor. I ran through the checklists. I went all the way through the after engine start checklist and when I got to the point that said instruments......check, I said "checked." I did look at them and could have sworn everything was normal. My CFI looked at me and asked, "you checked the instruments?" I said yes. 

Actually everything was not normal. Our left alternator was inoperative. How did I miss that? I looked right at the amp indications. In that moment I realized I had become too complacent. I saw what I expected to see...a functioning alternator...not what was actually there in front of me.  

This just goes to show that complacency can be a major risk in aviation safety. Remember to always give a good inspection of the aircraft no matter how many times you have conducted a flight and don't always expect everything to be functioning properly every time. Don't rush a pre-flight. Always be aware of what your aircraft is doing. By becoming too complacent we endanger ourselves and others. 

Fly Safe! 

Question of the Day

Your aircraft's total drag is affected by what factors? 

Question of the Day

  What should you do if you loose your airspeed indication? 

Challenge

Review the components of the fuel system and engine(s) on your aircraft. 

Question of the Day

What is Vmca and what factors affect it? 

Question of the Day

Describe the ADC and AHRS systems and how they work. 

Question of the Day

What is an Advisory Circular?

Challenge

Challenge for the week...Read through the limitations section of your aircraft's POH (or equivalent) a little each day and make sure you know them.

Question of the Day

What is an NDB and an ADF? How do they work?

Challenge

Challenge for today...Review the components of the electrical system on your aircraft and the emergency procedures for an electrical failure, single electrical component failure, and an electrical fire. 

Question of the Day

How do thunderstorms form...and what are the different types?

Question of the Day

What is a service bulletin? 

Question of the Day

What factors affect stalling speed?

Question of the Day

What is significance of FAR 119.1?

Question of the Day

What do each of the markings on this runway indicate?

Question of the Day?

What happens when you get carburetor icing? 

Question of the Day

What is the difference between N1 and N2 on gas turbine powered aircraft?

Question of the Day

What are the 5 hazardous attitudes?  

Question of the Day

What is a "pack" and what purpose does it serve in a pressurization system?

Question of the Day

What is a TRU? What does it do? 

Question of the Day

What is the standard service volume for a High Altitude VOR?

Question of the Day

What is the difference between the MEA, MORA, and MOCA on an IFR chart?

Flying Photos

One of my favorite pictures from flying in the PA-44...email me yours and I will post them.

Question of the Day

What are the VFR weather minimums for Class B, C, D, E, and Class G airspace?

Question of the Day (Fun Version)

What is your favorite aircraft?

Paying to Fly

This morning I received an email from a student asking me about getting into flying. He wanted to know what he needed to do to become a pilot. His next question was a tough one. He wanted to know more about possible ways to pay for his flight training. I gave him a few suggestions to look into should he choose to attend an aviation college. However, I told him I would post this on the blog. If you have any suggestions for him please post them below.

Question of the Day

What are the signs that carbon monoxide is present in the cabin and what action should you take?

Question of the Day

At what cabin altitude should a pilot go on oxygen? 

Question of the Day

When can a pilot log PIC time? SIC?

Question of the Day

What is a propeller governor? 

Question of the Day

What indications will you get on your airspeed indicator if you experience a pitot line blockage? 

Question of the Day

What are the components of an ILS? 

Question of the Day

Here is a weather question. I guess this one is open to anyone not just pilots. If you have a topic you would like me to post about email me at jakecullen757@gmail.com

Why do cumulus clouds have flat bases and rounded tops. In addition how is the height of a cloud base determined? 

Question of the Day

So here is the next question. If you have ideas for future topics email me at jakecullen757@gmail.com

What are the parts of a Minimum Equipment List (MEL)? What do you do if your aircraft doesn't have one? 

Ideas anyone?

I am going to start posting a discussion question everyday. If you have a question idea or topic you would like me to post about just send me an email at jakecullen757@gmail.com

Question of the Day

So here is my first post ever! I thought I should start with a question.

On your aircraft...Is the battery still powering anything when the battery master switch is off?