Ask 100 pilots to give an approach briefing and you will get 100 different briefs. Here are the 5 essential elements that I have come up with for briefing each approach I fly. As a rule I brief everything on the chart, but these items are what I make sure to emphasize to ensure a successful outcome. (Note: this is not intended to be everything needed to safely fly an approach, … [Read more...] about The 5 Most Important Briefing Items on an Approach Chart
Safety Tips
Weather Intelligence
Next generation weather capabilities are among the best assets available to General Aviation pilots, use them. I've been doing a fair amount of flying around the Midwest and South over the last few weeks and run into a lot of thunderstorms along the way. These are the big storms, tops at 45,000 feet and spanning 80-100 miles in area. While my fancy airliner has an onboard … [Read more...] about Weather Intelligence
Straight in Approach vs. Straight in Landing
What's the difference? You make a straight in approach to a straight in landing, right? No so fast. While these two terms seem to be nearly identical they actually have a completely different meaning. Straight-In Approach: An instrument approach wherein final approach is begun without first having executed a procedure turn Not necessarily completed with a straight-in … [Read more...] about Straight in Approach vs. Straight in Landing
En-Route Timing
How often do you time your flight? Part of any basic Private Pilot cross-country syllabus involves a detailed flight log including estimated time en-route and estimated time of arrival for each leg. Too often once we pass the check ride and start flying on our own we get complacent about the tedious things. Usually filling out a full flight log is one of those. We lose too … [Read more...] about En-Route Timing
Weight and Balance
When was the las time you computed a weight and balance before flying? One of my first jobs as a commercial pilot had me flying a near max gross weight airplane around the countryside on a daily basis. The person I had taken over for never expressed any concern about the loads, and I never thought to be concerned. I flew the same airplane for 4 months before I ever decided to … [Read more...] about Weight and Balance