by Webmaster Emeritus | Dec 22, 2018 | Announcements
from Airport Management With the federal government shutdown set to commence at midnight Friday Dec. 21, 2018, we have received inquiries related to the status of air traffic control services at the San Carlos Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has...
by Ken Steiner | Oct 20, 2018 | Aviation Safety Articles and Tips
Someone once said, “If you don’t think too good, then don’t think too much.†I can recall a few aircraft accidents that really didn’t take much thinking on anyone’s part to investigate. Sure, as an aircraft accident investigator there are certain rules...
by Ken Steiner | Oct 20, 2018 | Articles, Aviation Safety Articles and Tips
As we get older Santa just doesn’t seem to get it. The holiday gifts never seem to bring the same excitement as when we were kids. It is understandable. Neckties and slippers just don’t cut it anymore. Often well-intentioned gift givers don’t...
by Ken Steiner | Oct 20, 2018 | Aviation Safety Articles and Tips
It is pretty easy to step into this photograph.  We stand on that wind-swept beach at a respectful distance observing the two brothers and their machine.  It is cold, but no one feels it.  The engines are clattering away as the plane moves down the launch rail...
by Ken Steiner | Oct 20, 2018 | Aviation Safety Articles and Tips
Learning to stall or unstall an aircraft is for the most part a rather mechanical task. You could probably train a chimp to do it. Pull on the control wheel to stall – Push to recover. Right? In the world of flight instruction and airman certificate requirements...
by Ken Steiner | Oct 20, 2018 | Aviation Safety Articles and Tips
I guess if I really thought about it, I would have to question my sanity as to why I am willing to put so much trust into that one infernal combustion engine that propels me through the sky.  It rumbles, it vibrates, and has a zillion moving parts anyone of which...
by Ken Steiner | Oct 20, 2018 | Aviation Safety Articles and Tips
If there is not enough aggravation and expense in your life, try having a prop-strike.  A pilot’s first verbal response to unstraightening a prop blade is probably not printable here.  The second response upon learning how long it will take to repair and how...
by Ken Steiner | Oct 20, 2018 | Aviation Safety Articles and Tips
Being involved in a car fender-bender is usually a simple proposition to contend with.  Exchange information with the other driver, maybe file a police report, call for a tow if needed, and then notify your insurance company.  All pretty basic stuff.  Not...
by Ken Steiner | Oct 20, 2018 | Aviation Safety Articles and Tips
We’ve all been there.  All of a sudden the fuel gauge is the most important instrument in the plane.  Our eyes start fixating on it every few minutes trying to find comfort in a remaining fuel supply that is now in question.  Then comes that anxious...
by Ken Steiner | Oct 20, 2018 | Aviation Safety Articles and Tips
Many years ago, I was flying a single-engine plane at night across some very remote and hostile mountainous terrain when the engine started to run rough. It was so subtle at first that I thought it was “automatic rough” caused by an over-active imagination...
by Ken Steiner | Oct 20, 2018 | Aviation Safety Articles and Tips
“I really don’t like the idea of you taking this plane to Tahoe,” said the owner of the FBO who had just checked me out in the school’s Cherokee 140. I gave him reassurances that I was a very safe and competent pilot and, in fact, I had even...
by Ken Steiner | Oct 20, 2018 | Aviation Safety Articles and Tips
All summer long it seemed that no matter which direction I headed, there was a permanent headwind attached to the front of the plane. If this kept up I was going to trade my airspeed indicator in for a calendar. Finally, the winds agreed to partner up with me on a...
by Ken Steiner | Oct 20, 2018 | Aviation Safety Articles and Tips
Crossing the majestic Sierras on one of my rare weekend pleasure flights, thoughts of work started to creep in. Though all was serene in this perfect sky, I couldn’t help, but wonder how many of my fellow aviators would experience a less than an enjoyable ending...
by Ken Steiner | Oct 20, 2018 | Aviation Safety Articles and Tips
I consider ice accumulation equivalent to an aircraft being on fire. You have to take immediate action or the consequences will be disastrous. Some pilots rely on the belief that there will be plenty of forewarning before things get serious. Perhaps, but it depends on...
by Ken Steiner | Oct 20, 2018 | Aviation Safety Articles and Tips
You would think that taxiing an aircraft is a relatively low risk proposition. We follow painted lines. We move at slow speeds. Ground traffic is often controlled by ATC. We have signs, rules, radios, and space to maneuver and yet this seemingly innocuous phase of...
