by Ken Steiner | Oct 20, 2018 | Aviation Safety Articles and Tips
“Ouch!” I muttered after turning around too quickly and banging my head on the leading edge of the wing during preflight. I haven’t even started the engine and I’m already an aviation casualty. The reality is that you don’t have to be...
by Ken Steiner | Oct 20, 2018 | Aviation Safety Articles and Tips
Last week I planned a flight from San Carlos to a crop duster airstrip in the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley.  The weather forecast seemed pretty consistent on my route with occasional rain showers and cloud bases ranging from 3000 to 5000 feet thanks to an...
by Ken Steiner | Oct 20, 2018 | Aviation Safety Articles and Tips
It is easy to feel relatively secure in dealing with known aviation risks.  We can plan for potential hazards such as bad weather or systems failures and then apply an alternate course of action to insure the safe outcome of a flight.  The prospect of a mid-air...
by D. Gordon Matthews | Aug 31, 2007 | Articles, Aviation Safety Articles and Tips
One day a few years ago, I was on an instructional IFR flight from KSJC to KSCK with a very perceptive and talented instrument student. The flight conditions were IMC with KSCK ATIS reporting a ceiling of 600 feet, sky obscured and one-mile visibility. The tops were...
by Syl Heumann | Aug 31, 2007 | Articles, Aviation Safety Articles and Tips
There is no mystery to adjusting a magnetic compass. The only things needed are a non magnetic screwdriver and maybe some masking tape. No compass rose, no pelorus, no special equipment. Just follow the instructions below. These adjustments should be made away from...
by Bob Leuten | Aug 31, 2002 | Articles, Aviation Safety Articles and Tips
Looking for a new challenge in small-plane flying? No, not aerobatics—pulling excess G’s is not everyone’s idea of fun. I’m suggesting a mountain flying course from an experienced mountain flying instructor. There are several experienced...
