Blog Elements : Flight Training Central

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

5 Tips to Avoid Mistaken Airport Identity

February 28, 2014/in Tips and technique/by studentpltnews

In November, a Boeing 747 that was supposed to deliver parts to McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas, landed nine miles north at Col. James Jabara Airport. That airplane was flown by a two-person crew and had no passengers. In January, a Boeing 737, also flown by a two-person crew, was supposed to have […]

Your Personal Required Equipment List – 7 Must Have Items

February 18, 2014/in Tips and technique/by studentpltnews

5 Tips to Avoid Mistaken Airport Identity

February 28, 2014/in Tips and technique/by studentpltnews

Your Personal Required Equipment List – 7 Must Have Items

February 18, 2014/in Tips and technique/by studentpltnews

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

5 Tips to Avoid Mistaken Airport Identity

February 28, 2014/in Tips and technique/by studentpltnews

In January, a Boeing 737, also flown by a two-person crew, was supposed to have brought 124 passengers from Chicago to the Branson Airport in Missouri, but instead landed five miles north at the M. Graham Clark Downtown Airport in Taney County.

These two recent and very public mishaps involving professional flight crews landing large, transport category airplanes at the wrong airport brought unwanted attention to the aviation community. Quite likely, you may have even had someone ask you just how a pilot could possibly identify the wrong airport as his intended point of landing. And you may even opine how many airports have similar layouts, are located close together, are surrounded by featureless terrain, etc. And you’d be correct. I would even go a step further and submit that these factors result in airplanes likely landing at wrong airports all over the world on a fairly routine basis.

But thankfully, the best-case scenario typically prevails. That is, the outcome is simply a little embarrassment because it’s likely only the pilot would be aware of such an occurrence if not under the control of ATC. But the fact of the matter is, no matter the extenuating circumstances, and no matter how harmless or insignificant the occurrence may be, instances of mistaken identity can always be attributed to pilots and/or other team members (air traffic control, crew members, or even passengers) letting their guard down – something we mustn’t do at the controls of an airplane.

Thankfully, in these very public cases you have read about, crews, passengers and airplanes came out unscathed. But early in the investigation, it appears certain procedural steps were not followed which could have affected the outcome for the positive. Some steps you can take in your flying to avoid a similar misstep…

1) Use your chart – yes, that’s what it’s there for. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words and a sectional or terminal area (TAC) chart (even if you’re flying IFR), will offer a wealth of information about airport features and surrounding terrain. Anticipate the surrounding landscape or other landmarks and ensure that what you are seeing outside matches with what you are positively identifying on the chart. And like all aeronautical decisions, a body of evidence should be gathered to support your conclusions – never rely on a single source of information.

2) Use your moving maps and other resources – many of us are flying routinely with GPS, color moving maps, iPhones, iPads and using only a fraction of the capabilities. Make use of the technology at hand to verify position, time and distance to your intended point of landing as well as surrounding terrain.

If you do not have this capability on the flight deck, access the many resources online including satellite imagery and airport diagrams to help visualize what you should be seeing in the immediate airport vicinity. This important first step will also help you identify risk factors for your destination (e.g. close by airport with similar layout).

3) Utilize runway information as a final check – in addition the airplane’s checklist, consider developing your own mental checks for your flights such as an “in-range” check and final approach check. As part of these mental checks, include verification of runway alignment and the airport environment. Ensure that runway numbers, heading indicator and anticipated airport layout all make sense. Ensure the runway length and width you estimate visually coincides with what is published for the airport and that taxiways agree with your pre-planned exit from the runway. Also for consideration is whether airport lighting systems are in agreement with what is published – approach lights, runway lights and visual approach path indicators (PAPIs, VASIs).

4) Adhere to a sterile cockpit rule – to aid in your focus and attention to the task at hand, develop and adhere to a sterile cockpit rule. In the professional world, crew members are prohibited from discussion of anything non-flight related while below 10,000’. This can easily be modified for general aviation to be in effect at a certain distance from the destination airport below a specific altitude. An ancillary benefit to the rule is the pilot’s ability to inform passengers ahead of time about the rule or policy so you’re not trying to think or talk over a chatty “back-seater” while maneuvering for the pattern – simply invoke the sterile cockpit rule.

5) If in doubt, ask! If the correct airport is in question or if the body of evidence isn’t in 100% agreement, ask for help if possible. This is not the time to be proud. By the same token, don’t leave responsibility for positive identification of the appropriate airport to anyone else, including air traffic control. Everyone is fallible. In the end, the pilot is at the controls and therefore the final authority and decision maker.

Your Personal Required Equipment List – 7 Must Have Items

February 18, 2014/in Tips and technique/by studentpltnews

During your training you’ll learn what aircraft equipment is required for flight, starting with what the FAA requires for certification. This information is outlined in FAR 91.205 and includes items such as airspeed indicator, fuel gauges, and engine instruments. The equipment is broken down into VFR flight for day and night as well as for IFR flight. You’ll also study what the aircraft manufacturer requires for specific operations which is outlined in the Pilot’s Operating Handbook – it’s referred to as the required equipment list. In theory, your required equipment is what is needed to stay legal and safe.

But what about your personal equipment? I can’t think of anyone that has hopped in their airplane and flown 500 miles with no personal gear to help along the way. When is the last time you went flying without a headset? Do you still feel comfortable going long distances into unknown territory without a moving map GPS?

This is why I suggest creating your own required equipment list. It can be done very easily. Start by dumping out your flight bag on the kitchen table and make a list of the items you must have in order to complete a 500 mile cross country in severe clear weather. If you fly IFR, your list might include a few more items. Here are my top 7 MUST HAVE items before walking to the airplane.

Headset. This is a no brainer. No headset, no go. Next time you’re taking a trip around the patch, take your headset off for a few minutes. I can’t imagine four hours without one.
Sunglasses. Taking off into a rising sun in winter is painful. Without a decent pair of sunglasses, you might as well be flying IFR for the next two minutes. A good pair of sunglasses really improves visibility on bright days.
Flashlight. “But I don’t fly at night?” It doesn’t matter. You may still need a flashlight for looking under the engine cowling. The one time your flight runs a little late will leave you wishing you had one instead of using your cell phone. If your ANR headset uses AA batteries, I recommend using a flashlight that uses the same. You’ll have an emergency pair of batteries in the flashlight.
iPad with GPS. Let’s face it, navigation without a moving map is like buying a home without indoor plumbing. The simplicity of iPad apps like ForeFlight or Garmin Pilot is light years ahead of trying to listen to the morse code ID over a nav radio. Yes you should know how to use the VOR system, but let’s embrace technology and use the modern conveniences when available.
Multitool. It’s the “get out of jail free” card. Get a decent one and keep it in your flight bag. There are so many small things that can be done in a pinch with a multitool. Tighten a nut, fix a cowl screw, skin a fish…
Fuel Tester. It’s part of preflight and no flight bag is complete without one.
Sectional chart. In all the years I’ve been flying with an iPad, I’ve never had it go dark. But what if it did? A $9 chart is a great insurance policy, and it’s usually valid for six months so it will last you a long time.

I left this vague, allowing you to pick and choose which brand fits your flying best. Interested in what I use? Here is the gear in my bag:

Headset: Clarity Aloft. If you can get over the fact that you are wearing expensive ear plugs, this headset is great for oversized heads like mine. No pinching and no headset head after a four hour flight.
Sunglasses: Serengeti Velocity. I like the clarity, the look and the comfort. All around great pair of shades.
Flashlight: Smith and Wesson Captain’s Flashlight. This light features red and white light, and is built like a tank.
iPad with GPS: iPad Air and Stratus 1. The iPad Air is light, fast and big. The Stratus 1 provides a highly accurate GPS and weather data. I’m using ForeFlight on the iPad.
Multitool: Clip-on Multi Tool. This great little guy is cheap, and hangs on the outside for easy access.
Fuel Tester: Sporty’s Heavy Duty Fuel Tester. I like the splash shield. I hate the smell of AvGas in the cockpit.
Sectional Charts: Cincinnati and St. Louis. Check your area.

Where do I keep all of these supplies? In a Sporty’s Mission Flight Gear Bag. Great size, small footprint, and the right amount of pockets for organization.

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

5 Tips to Avoid Mistaken Airport Identity

Your Personal Required Equipment List – 7 Must Have Items

5 Tips to Avoid Mistaken Airport Identity

Your Personal Required Equipment List – 7 Must Have Items

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

5 Tips to Avoid Mistaken Airport Identity

Your Personal Required Equipment List – 7 Must Have Items

Email Subscription

Recent Articles