Pilot Proficiency

In 1974, amidst a backdrop of historical events, John and Martha King embarked on a journey that would shape the aviation training landscape for decades to come. Their videos have touched the minds and hearts of generations of learner pilots. Now, as King Schools commemorates its 50th anniversary, the couple reflects on their remarkable legacy. […]

In the early 1960s, I was on the ramp at Rosecrans Memorial Airport (KSTJ) in St. Joseph, Missouri, when I observed a massive Boeing 707 in TWA colors swoop down onto Runway 36, emit blue smoke from the main gear tires, and roar away into the air instead of braking to a stop. Making a […]

During any gathering of older pilots, often including a few non-practicing certified flight instructors, the current state of pilot training frequently comes up. “Them kids teaching students today don’t know sheep from shingles. Why, they were students themselves a couple of years ago. All they know is to follow a pink line on the screen.” […]

Bad decisions are part of life. In every field, many have made some excruciatingly poor decisions. Our regrets to the publishers who turned down the Harry Potter franchise. And how about the actors that had a chance to be in one of the most popular and profitable movie franchises, Star Wars? Definitely, a dog day […]

Using the brakes that are fitted to our airplanes seems like a simple exercise. Most of us recognize the need to slow down, press on the toe pedals, and get the desired response. If a swerve occurs, we’ll modulate the pressures and keep the pointy end forward. But every so often, an airplane winds up […]

Over the weekend, the Michigan Aviation Safety Forum (MASF) gathered pilots and mechanics to provide proficiency and safety seminars. The MASF is a yearly collaboration between industry stakeholders, aviators, mechanics, and FAA staff to provide safety forums and mechanic (IA) recurrency training seminars that help maintain currency for technicians who keep aircraft legally and safely […]

Categorizing the day’s flying weather requires understanding the acronyms being tossed about. You’ll hear fellow pilots talking about the weather being IFR or VFR, with VFR being good and IFR being bad. I’ve always felt that VFR and IFR refer to the operating rules, as in the visual flight rules under which the flight will […]

Redbird Flight, a prominent player in aviation technology, has initiated its fourth annual State of Flight Training survey, accessible via the company’s website. This survey, targeting various stakeholders from flight training organizations to pilots, seeks to provide comprehensive insights into the health of the industry.  Over the years, the collected data has proven invaluable, aiding […]

“MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY…Cessna 9 [unintelligible].” Another pilot on the frequency replied: “14A, how far north of the shoreline are you?” “Right in the middle. I’m out here by…there…there’s a boat going by… there’s a tanker getting drug. I am out in the middle, and I’m going down now. I’m going in the water.” It was […]

By my reckoning, there have been two golden ages of general aviation in my lifetime. The first peaked around 1976, coincidentally a year when so many of the airplanes we mere mortals can afford to own and fly today were constructed. Thousands of single-engine piston airplanes were produced each year. FBOs were numerous, diverse, and […]