Technicalities

GPS Approaches – The Why, The How, The Ugly (Part 2)

I recently had the “pleasure” to complete my yearly recurrent ride. As it happens, our fleet of PC12NGs is getting a software update, which will eventually allow us to complete LPVs approaches virtually everywhere. Although we (the company) have been able and trained to conduct LNAV approaches where applicable, the introduction of VNAV/LPV technology brings up a completely new dimension (yup, 3D approaches!) So training for the use of the GPS for approaches and a quick review of the related rules was incorporated in the ride.

Before we go any further, I would strongly suggest that you read the first part of this article (if you have not done so already) to familiarize yourself with a few terms and basic underlying principles.

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By |July 15th, 2011|Technicalities|10 Comments
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Brain Teaser: Vertical Profile | #Flying

Situation:
You are on the final approach course to a major international airport in a light turbine aircraft. ATC is keeping you high and fast to blend you with the arriving heavy jet traffic on this busy hour of the day.

At the last minute, you are issued a visual approach clearance. However, you are way above […]

By |July 10th, 2011|Technicalities|6 Comments
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GPS Approaches – The Why, The How, The Ugly (Part 1)

How many of us are guilty of conducting a GPS-based approach for it’s convenience, without really understanding the underlying principles or knowing all the pertaining regulations? I, for one…

GPS use has become so widespread and easy to acquire (even through dash-mounted modules) that you will meet very few pilots who have not used it at […]

By |June 4th, 2011|Technicalities|5 Comments
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The art of missing

“Pulse 101 MEDIVAC, in case of a missed approach, you are cleared to climb and maintain 11,000′, proceed direct to the YTS VOR”.

Sounds familiar in some way? I certainly hope so! Everybody has heard the old addage a good landing starts with a stabilized approach. But every instrument rated pilot also knows that a successful missed approach starts during the cruise segment, before the decent has even started. A few hundred feet over the ground in a low-energy situation is not the place you want to be left wondering what next? […]

By |April 17th, 2011|Technicalities|2 Comments
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A landing you can walk away from – What to know about the most demanding phase of your flight (Part 3)

I remember one day getting one of the best compliments of my flying career. I had just battled strong, gusty crosswinds and a little bit of windshear, and finally welcomed with relief the sound of one of my main tires touching the pavement. Then the other. The battle was over. As I was helping my clients unload their luggage and carry them out, I crossed the chief flight instructor of the local flight school. She simply asked me: ”Was it you that landed the airplane?” As I aquiesqued, she continued ”It’s got to be the best text-book crosswind landing I’ve seen!” I could only smile in gratitude, for I know that I am far from a great pilot.. but eh, we all have our small victories. […]

By |March 5th, 2011|Technicalities|0 Comments
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A landing you can walk away from – What to know about the most demanding phase of your flight (Part 2)

Blue skies.. nothing but blue skies smiling at me! Can you say I’m ready for summer? If there is one season I love above all, it is the season of warm temperatures, long day-light and short-sleeves flying! Sadly, the same season more often than not also means thunderstorms, accompanied by heavy rainfalls. I can remember more than one instance where I nearly lost control of my car due to heavy standing water on the road. But! – you say – it was only a small car. Surely a heavy vehicule such as an aircraft should not be affected by that problem. And yet, the crew and passengers of the Air France A340 Flight 358 that went off a runway at Toronto Pearson Int’l airport in August 2005 will testify otherwise.
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By |February 12th, 2011|Technicalities|3 Comments
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A landing you can walk away from – What to know about the most demanding phase of your flight (Part 1)

Remember your first landing? Like – EVER? I do.

It was not really a magic moment I should say. More like a… very down to earth thing. (I couldn’t resist!) But jokes appart, the one thing I remember about that day was how meticulously my flight instructor checked the weather, winds, etc. to insure a perfect day for the first landing of my life as a pilot. Then as time passed and we advanced in the curriculum, we started actually looking for windy days, allowing us to practice and perfect the mystical crosswind techniques, or even just learning to land short or on a given/chosen target. […]

By |January 3rd, 2011|Technicalities|3 Comments
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Smart Apps for Smart Pilots

With an ever-growing list of technological tools put at their disposition, pilots all around the world are offered a great array of applications and programs that can be downloaded and installed in a moment on their iPhones as well as the new Android smartphones available.

Having just myself made the acquisition of an Android-based smartphone, I decided to look into the “App Market” and see exactly what was available. I also did a little bit of researched and pulled out for you the 5 best apps that pilots should get for their iPhones or Androids.

For more information you can visit the Professional Pilots Rumor Network or Airline Pilot Apps websites. […]

By |December 6th, 2010|Technicalities|2 Comments
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Kiss my asphalt

You can ask any pilot around the world, flying any type of airplane. There is no better satisfaction than to finish a long day's worth of flying with a real "kisser", literally touching down on the runway with the softness of a romantic kiss in the sunset... no really!!!

By |September 16th, 2010|Technicalities|0 Comments
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Three things I do not like about summer

So I guess it’s been a while…  I must say this summer has been rather terribly busy.

But, you say, ’tis not a reason to abandon people like that! True, true… In any case, this summer has held quite a few good surprises for me. Sadly it also came with a few things I could have easily done without.

Yesterday, while drinking my daily 45th cup of coffee, I found myself thinking back at this summer. Probably one of the busiest of my life i must say, aside from the summer of 2006 where I found myself in… Iqualuit! Nevertheless, as busy as it was, I still found myself having the time to reminisce on the three things that if I could, I would do without next summer. […]

By |July 27th, 2010|Technicalities|0 Comments
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