Why not train with a freelance instructor? 7 reasons!
In the student community, I’ve sometimes heard the consideration of wanting to train with a freelance instructor, because it probably costs you a few dollars less per hour. That might be true, but…
By Erissa Yong
As taildragger pilots, we all have a story to tell. Our stories are the narrative of our paths to aviation and our evolution as pilots. For a lucky few, they are taildragger stories! There’s nothing I love more than glimpsing into the lives and stories of our lady taildragger members and never have I been disappointed. The wonderful story you are about to read is an incredible rags to riches story. It’s about a penniless, young, female immigrant who willed herself into a hugely successful life as a pilot and business owner in a new country. I’m proud to introduce you to LadiesLoveTaildraggers’ member, Erissa Yong-Wilson.
by Dr. Anna Serbinenko
Let’s talk money for a moment. I observe several dozen fresh pilot license holders every year, many of which go the similar path: “got driver’s license, bought a car, got pilot license, have to buy a plane now”. But you also might have heard a saying that there are only two happy days in airplane (or boat, actually) ownership – the day you buy it and the day you sell it. So let’s look at our options.
by Dr. Anna Serbinenko
Aviation unites people every day regardless of whether it’s a small aircraft or a large jet. With that said, there is nothing more natural than using aviation to unite the entire nation during this very special year where we commemorate Canada’s 150th anniversary. It is from that sentiment the Canadian Arctic Aviation Tour was born, to bring celebration to remote communities across Canada’s Arctic, many of which can only be accessed by flight.
By Robert Reser, 25th August 2016
In a low indicated-airspeed, high drag configured turn, if the aircraft is overshooting the final approach, it seems to be human nature to concentrate on continuing the approach by maneuvering into a steep bank and pull the control wheel attempting to correct back to the runway extended centerline.
By Anna Serbinenko, In Flight USA, April 2015
Some pilots spend their precious two weeks annual break from work frying themselves in the Hawaiian or Mexican sun.
Others climb Jomolungma or hike on the North Pole. Most spend a less exotic period of time at a major theme or national park. When back, we aviators often pack up family and friends and drag them to the nearest airshow, for nothing else but to promise ourselves – like every single one of the previous ten airshows – that ONE DAY I will become an aerobatic pilot.
By Anna Serbinenko, In Flight USA, March 2015
When I picked up the phone, tears were rolling down my cheeks. Facing some beginner airshow performer struggles – more criticism than love – I was discouraged and I could really use an ally in this “old boys club” of the airshow crowd. Someone who would simply tell me that there is hope. I searched the ICAS directory for Bud Granley’s phone number, gathered all my courage and dialed. Would he even remember who I am? He saw me briefly at a show where we were both flying, but did he – the legend - even notice then a completely new unknown performer?
By Dr. Anna Serbinenko, In Flight USA, February 2015
When I was a student pilot, we were strictly banned from any “off-airport” landings.
Editor’s comment: The “precautionary landing,” is not a topic that is directly addressed in the FAA Practical Test Standard. A diversion to an alternate airport is part of testing scenarios, but the concept of simple getting the airplane on the ground, perhaps not at an airport, is seldom taught and certainly not tested. It is tragic that accidents which occur every year could have been avoided if the PIC had simply accepted the fact that continued flight was not possible. In many cases, a landing on a suitable surface could have safety prevented continuing flight into worsening weather conditions or a power off landing caused by fuel exhaustion or mechanical difficulties.
By Anna Serbinenko, In Flight USA, January 2015
Lessons learnt from the ICAS 2014 conference.
3.30am on Monday. We boarded our school’s Seneca V and have completed the run-up check already. Ahead is almost 900nm of IFR, and we should be in Vegas by noon. The schedule is tight, there’s not a minute to lose. My Multi-IFR student Tony is briefing the departure plate. Pierre, another student, is getting cozy with Delphine in the back. Weather justifies the IFR departure with 800’ ceilings. Almost two days of flight planning prior to that, already for half an hour on the ground warming up engines, doing the run-up, entering the flight plan – everything to make sure there would be no surprises when “the game is on” at take-off. We are now on our way to the International Council of Airshows (ICAS) conference in Las Vegas, NV – the place and time that will define the 2015 Air Shows season.
By Dr. Anna Serbinenko, Sep 2014
Обычная студентка 3го курса матфака Донецкого университета возвращалась поздним вечером домой - ей уже так надоели темные грязные улицы Петровки, где казалось не бывает солнечного света... Она уезжала утром еще до рассвета, чтобы успеть доехать вовремя в университет и еще поучиться по первой пары. А возвращалась она всегда по-темному, после того, как отсидела на всех парах в университете, потом на курсах французского, потом еще посетила пару-тройку студентов, которым давала уроки английского и итальянского языков, чтобы собрать деньги на студенческую визу за границу. Она понятия не имела, как платить за университет и на что там жить. Все, что имело значение - это туда уехать. Кто мог подумать, что десять лет спустя она будет доктором наук математики и много чего другого, и кроме всего прочего станет единственн
By John Gillespie Magee, Jr
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Stalling the Aircraft is easy!
It's interesting how we continue ad-infinitum with the same stories about safety in flight and the only solution being more sophisticated toys and regulation.
Worth a second look.
Is this reality, or …. ?
The following article was written by David Radcliffe and appeared in Janes Defense Weekly, 6 March 2013. It asks why would anyone want to become a Fighter Pilot? You know things are bad when there are 50 unfilled pilot slots from the Air Force Academy.
WW II B 17 Survival Story - explanation and photos (considered some of the most unbelievable from the war) are below.
By Navdeep Gill, Canadian Flight Centre
You want to be a pilot, but think it costs too much?
Becoming a pilot is not as expensive as everyone makes it out to be. Just think of it like this, it will most likely cost you the same or maybe a little more as doing a 4 year degree in university. It's just that all that money is being spent in a shorter period of time, making you feel like it is too much. So enjoy your dream, and work towards making it a reality.
By Peter Schlieck, Aviation News Journal, January 2011
Remember the days when you were a student pilot? Your instructor had changed your life as you knew it, given you the flying bug, made bookings for you, told you where to go and what to do.
by Matthew Lang
Once forgotten, the future looks bright
For too many years, Boundary Bay Airport was something of a forgotten asset. A former WWII-era training base, closed after the war, reopened years later, and then finally sold by Transport Canada to Delta Municipality for a single dollar. But what was, or should have been, a grand opportunity to create a business climate for general aviation and other so-called across-the-street industries was basically squandered by the company contracted to develop that asset.
