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Airspace Operating Requirements for Pilots

September 18, 2023/in Tips and technique/by Bret Koebbe

The U.S. airspace system is divided into different classes of airspace that extend horizontally and vertically, based on various factors. Learn more about what is required to operate in each class of controlled and uncontrolled airspace in our latest interactive scenario.

Managing common aviation risks

September 18, 2023/in Tips and technique/by John Zimmerman

The unforgiving nature of aviation has serious consequences, consequences we should remember every time we enter the cockpit. If we’re unrealistic about our new year’s resolution, it probably won’t hurt us.

Airspace Operating Requirements for Pilots

September 18, 2023/in Tips and technique/by Bret Koebbe

Managing common aviation risks

September 18, 2023/in Tips and technique/by John Zimmerman

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Airspace Operating Requirements for Pilots

September 18, 2023/in Tips and technique/by Bret Koebbe

The U.S. airspace system is divided into different classes of airspace that extend horizontally and vertically, based on various factors. The airspace immediately surrounding the busiest airports is the most restrictive regarding pilot and airplane qualifications, while the airspace over the rural areas has the fewest restrictions.

Learn more about what is required to operate in each class of controlled and uncontrolled airspace in our latest interactive scenario from Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course.

This is one of 18 new interactive exercises included in Sporty’s 2023 Learn to Fly Course, which includes over 15 hours of HD and 4K video training.

Managing common aviation risks

September 18, 2023/in Tips and technique/by John Zimmerman

You’ve heard the cliche: flying isn’t dangerous, it’s just unforgiving. This may be a tired saying, but it’s very true, and if we’re honest with ourselves, this challenge is part of what makes flying so rewarding. If we can master such a complex and demanding skill, we can rightly feel proud.

The unforgiving nature of aviation has serious consequences, though, consequences we should remember every time we enter the cockpit. If we’re unrealistic about our new year’s resolution, it probably won’t hurt us. Flying is a different story. There aren’t many second chances.

Be realistic – if the fuel gauges show almost empty, it’s time to land.

In this unforgiving environment, one of the most critical skills is the ability to be realistic. The point is, whether we’re dealing with aircraft performance, weather, or avionics, we have to be constantly readjusting our sense of the situation: What’s going on now? How does that compare to my expectations? Do I need to adjust my plan? What else might have changed given this new information?

A pilot who becomes lazy, or hangs onto old information because it’s comforting, sets himself up for all kinds of mistakes. Consider these common accident scenarios:

VFR into IMC. This might be the ultimate lack of realism, as a pilot continues into deteriorating weather even though he most likely knows the weather stinks. Instead of admitting that Plan A won’t work, he continues on because it’s more convenient than changing plans. It doesn’t matter what the forecast said; “what you see is what you get.”

Continued VFR flight into IMC conditions is a dangerous trap.

Fuel exhaustion. Most airplanes that run out of gas have fully functional fuel gauges. The pilot comes up short not because of a mechanical problem, but because he ignored reality. A realistic pilot continually updates the fuel on board and changes plans when the math no longer works, even if it seems unbelievable based on preflight calculations.
Takeoff accidents. Max gross weight is not just a suggestion, as dozens of pilots discover every year. No matter how nice it would be to carry full fuel and four adults in a Cessna 172, it just won’t happen. Be realistic and leave something behind.
Crosswind landing mishaps. There are no regulations against landing in a 35 knot crosswind; in fact, airline pilots do it every day. That doesn’t mean it’s safe for a 100-hour private pilot to attempt it. Part of being a safe pilot means understanding your own limitations and never exceeding them.

There aren’t regulations against strong crosswinds, but it’s not a good idea to exceed max demonstrated.

Confirmation bias is at work in a big way here, because we all lie to ourselves when it makes life easier. We embrace the one METAR that shows VFR conditions, since it matches our plan, even while we ignore the 20 other METARs showing IFR. One way to fight this urge is to imagine you are giving advice to someone in your situation. Taking this outside view has been shown to improve decision-making in all kinds of activities, including flying. Or as one of my early flight instructors said, “start writing your own NTSB report and see how it sounds.” That’s usually enough to make me reconsider a 50/50 decision.

It’s not all bad news. One trend that suggests pilots are becoming more realistic in their approach to risk management involves Cirrus airplanes and their built-in parachute systems. There are now more parachute pulls and yet fewer fatal accidents in SR22 and SR20 airplanes. It seems Cirrus pilots are becoming more realistic about their ability to save the airplane when something goes wrong (engine failure, severe ice, loss of control). Instead of trying to be a hero and save the airplane, they are pulling the red handle and saving their lives. That takes guts to admit, but it’s most definitely progress.

When we’re told to “be realistic,” it sometimes gets interpreted as “be conservative.” That attitude will probably keep you safe, but a truly sharp pilot knows the difference between conservative and realistic. The latter means continually evaluating current conditions and pilot skill, and never allowing them to get out of sync.

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Airspace Operating Requirements for Pilots

Managing common aviation risks

Airspace Operating Requirements for Pilots

Managing common aviation risks

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Airspace Operating Requirements for Pilots

Managing common aviation risks

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