Aviation News Talk podcast

GA news plus Max answers listeners questions on Instrument Flying and IFR including questions about how to save money on an instrument rating, using a simulator to get an instrument rating, when to switch from GPS to the Nav radio on localizer and VOR approaches, Legally using GPS on the entire VOR approach, whether to train in a round gauge airplane or a glass cockpit like in a Cirrus.

cott W. Williams is an aviation attorney. He talks about some of the ten most common mistakes made by pilots, like what to do when the FAA says “Advise when ready to copy a phone number.” He talks about common pitfalls when buying or selling a plane, getting insurance, and working with maintenance shops. He also talks the myth of a Delaware corporation, and problems with Part 135 charter.

Max talks with Flying Mag Sr. Editor Rob Mark on AirVenture 2019. Announcements include Texas Aircraft’s electric Colt LSA, ATP buys 100 Skyhawks, iFly GPS and SA Photonics Partner On Wearable HUD, Redbird’s GIFT or guided independent flight training, Nerves of Steel book by Southwest Captain Tammie Jo Schults, Extra’s Carbon-Fiber NG, ForeFlight’s Sentry Mini ADS-B Receiver

Max talks with Mike Whitaker, former FAA Deputy Administrator and Chief NextGen officer about NextGen and General Aviation. Mike talks about factors that led to the decline of GA after the 1970s, and his optimism for further growth due to demand for more pilots, the Part 23 rewrite, and new technologies like electric aircraft. He also talks about NextGen, ADS-B, and his prop strike.

Max talks about Get-There-itis accidents, and the time he got Get-There-itis, even though he was familiar with the phenomena. In that case, a crying 3-year old prompted him to continue flying into a storm where he began picking up ice. Max also talks about meeting astronauts Wally Shirra, Alan Shepard, and Chief Flight Director, Gene Kranz, who directed Gemini and Apollo missions.

Max talks about Aircraft Electrical Systems and Failures using the Cessna 172 and Cirrus SR22 as examples. Alternators, Generators, voltage regulators, and batteries are discussed. Common electrical system failures and the checklists to be followed are discussed for low voltage situations and for over voltage and over current situations.

Max talks about Buzzing and Low Altitude Flight, its dangers, and things you can do to mitigate some risk if you must fly low. Even high time pilots have accidents close to the ground. You can mitigate some risk by careful planning ahead of time to identify towers, wires, and obstacles. Still, unless you have to fly low to the ground, you can avoid a lot of risk by flying at normal altitudes.

An Aviation News Talk meetup will be held at the AOPA Regional Flyin at Livermore, CA. The meetup with listeners will be from 5-6 PM on Friday, June 21, 2019 at the Starbucks located at the corner of Airway Blvd, which is the road that leads to the airport, and Kitty Hawk street. This is not a dinner, just a casual stop by, have a cup of tea or coffee and say hello. No need to RSVP, just show up.

Max talks about a SR22 icing accident that killed a client. Meteorologist Scott Dennstaedt analyzes the weather, which had severe icing in clouds, and talks about tools pilots can use in preflight to identify possible icing. Ice often forms first on the tail. Tailplane stalls pitch an aircraft down and require a different recovery method than wing stalls. Speeds were too high to use the parachute.

Max recently lost a client in an icing accident and he talks with UND Professor Fred Remer about different types of inflight icing pilots can encounter and how to escape it. Fred talks about carburetor and structural icing, where icing is most prevalent in the U.S., the clouds most likely to have ice, and the different types and severity of icing. How to escape icing is also discussed.

Max talks about Avoiding Midair and Near Midair Collisions. He recently had two near midair collisions (NMAC). While midair collisions are rare, NMACs are common, and pilots who have one should report it to the FAA. Collisions are more likely with aircraft with no radios and with agricultural aircraft. To avoid midairs, pilots should use flight following and good scanning techniques.

108 Airline Pilot Carl Valeri talks about many details pilots need to attend to get hired by an airline. In additional to required pilot certificates and flight time, pilots should avoid arrests, having a DUI, and speeding tickets. They need to be extremely careful in what they post online, as airline recruiters will review their social media. Logbook edits should be made correctly.

Max talks about the statistics for engine failures in flight and the 12 step procedure you should follow if you have an engine failure. The procedures described are generic, and may be differ for your aircraft, so check your POH. #1 Don’t panic, wind the clock. #2 Turn toward an airport or landing site at the first sign of engine trouble. #3 Fly best glide speed #4 Clean up the airplane

Max talks with Flying Magazine Sr. Editor Rob Mark about three recent VFR into IMC fatal accidents. All involved Private pilots, though these kinds of accidents also happen to instrument rated pilots. A common factor was poor preflight decision making, as these pilots shouldn’t have taken off. But pilots can also get into IMC if good weather very slowly deteriorates to bad weather.

#1 Know your aircraft systems #2 The documentation isn’t always complete. #3 If you touch something and things get worse, undo what you did. #4 If the autopilot is on and it’s doing weird things, turn it off. #5 Understand runaway trim. #6 Know how to disable the electric trim system. #7 Make sure you can overpower the autopilot #8 Know the critical single points of failure in your aircraft.