|
|
Cessna 172 Instrument Panel
 Before the days of Glass Panels, this was a typical General Aviation Instrument Panel.
Even with the trend towards only Glass Cockpits, the basic Flight Instruments remain the same.
The Six Pack is not a half-dozen beers, and it’s not a well toned and muscled belly. Instead, Pilots know the 6-Pak refers to the six Primary Flight Instruments.
3 + 3 = 6
The 6 basic flight instruments are divided into two categories. Three instruments are connected to the aircraft’s Pitot Static Pressure System, and the other three are Gyro Instruments typically driven by the aircraft’s Vacuum system pump. It’s important for student pilots to recognize this difference. In the event of a partial system failure, the pilot will be better prepared when they recognize the specific instruments that may be affected.
The SIX PACK:
- Airspeed Indicator (Pitot Static)
- Attitude Indicator (Gyro)
- Altimeter (Pitot Static)
- Vertical Speed Indicator (Pitot Static)
- Heading Indicator (Gyro)
- Turn Coordinator (Gyro)
These six instruments are denoted by number on the Cessna 172 Instrument Panel above.
Every pilot must have a thorough understanding of these six flight instruments and the way they work. Pilots should have knowledge of each instrument’s characteristics and limitations. During flight, a pilot must interpret the information displayed on these six flight instruments to fly safely and within the limitations of the aircraft’s safe operating envelope.
Let’s take a closer look at each of these six flight instruments and how they work.
Continue reading Six Pack – The Primary Flight Instruments »
Yellowknife based Buffalo Airways
I have now seen the first three episodes of the new television series Ice Pilots NWT. What a great show! I love this show, and if you love flying, you are guaranteed to also love this show.
 Great Show for Pilots and aspiring Pilots!
When I saw the first episode of Ice Pilots NWT, I was hooked. After now seeing the first three episodes, I am a huge fan.
Ice Pilots NWT is a real life documentary about Buffalo Airways located in Yellowknife, North West Territories (NWT). Buffalo Airways operates a fleet of vintage aircraft in the Canadian North.
Mother Nature in Yellowknife
It’s cold at the edge of the Arctic. Very cold. Pilots and aircraft must endure temperatures in the minus 40′s or below! That’s -40 degrees Centigrade. If you think it’s hard on the pilots, imagine what it’s like for the vintage aircraft. It’s an impossible job in a merciless place.
Buffalo Airways owner Joe McBryan and his son Mikey McBryan run the airline in the frozen and unforgiving environment. You get to see new pilot recruits, fresh out of Flight College with 200 hours in the air, try to survive in this harsh place. These new pilots are there for one reason. They want to log some air-time in the historic aircraft that make up Buffalo Air’s vintage fleet.
Rampies
New Pilot recruits are called ‘Rampies’ as they work on the Ramp to load cargo, clear snow off the wings and log hours as flight attendants. It’s a competitive environment as the Rampies struggle to compete with other fresh pilot recruits for the next coveted co-pilot position in one of the vintage aircrafts.
The seasoned pilots must balance the risk of flying, with the need to keep cargo moving. The weather isn’t the only risk. With an aging fleet of almost extinct aircraft, there are always mechanical problems and equipment failures with the scarce and dwindling supply of spare parts.
An Aging Fleet
One of the best parts about this show is the amazing Aircraft that make up Buffalo Air’s Vintage Fleet. History comes alive, as you ‘share’ cockpit time in these aging flying machines.
The nearly obsolete fleet includes:
- The Douglas DC-3
- The Legendary Douglas DC-4
- Curtiss-Wright C-46 Commando
- Lockheed L-188 Electra
Let’s take a look at this vintage fleet of aircraft.
Continue reading Ice Pilots NWT on History Television »
I love to read Aviation Books!
I look forward to hearing what your favourite Aviation books are. Post a comment below with your fav’s and please explain why. Let’s see what Pilots like to read.
Here’s my List:
- Stick and Rudder by Wolfgang Langewiesche
- Takeoffs & Landings by Leighton Collins
- Rod Machado’s Private Pilot Handbook
- Rod Machado’s Private Pilot Workbook
- From the Ground Up
- POH (Pilot’s Operating Handbook)
 Stick and Rudder by Wolfgang Langewiesche
This is my favourite Aviation Book. It was one of my early reads, and I have re-read it several times. With over 250,000 copies in print, this is one of the most popular Pilot books.
Before the days of advanced instruments, navigational aids and glass cockpits, Pilots were trained on the ‘Art of Flying’. Pilots today will benefit from some of these lost techniques from decades ago.
An Explanation of the Art of Flying
Stick and Rudder was written over 60 years ago, but I believe it should be required reading for all student pilots today. It’s all about the Art of Flying, and Wolfgang gives us great insight into becoming a true aviator.
Here’s what you will learn:
- The all important Angle of Attack
- Why airplanes stall, and how to know when you are about to stall
- The landing approach.
- The visual clues an experienced pilot uses to consistently and safely land on the numbers.
- A foolproof method of making a landing approach across obstacles: The Spot that does not move!
- Elevator vs. Throttle. Which controls speed, and which controls climb and descent?
- What is the rudder for? A good pilot knows it’s not for turning the airplane!
- Controlling adverse yaw.
- The paradox of the Glide.
- Point the nose down less steeply, and you will actually descend more steeply.
- Point the nose down more steeply to stretch your glide.
- The secret to a good approach.
Stick and Rudder should be one of the very first books every student pilot reads.
Here are five more aviation books for every pilot.
Continue reading My 6 Favourite Aviation Books »
SPOT Announces Enhanced Next Generation SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger
 SPOT has been used by pilots since its launch in November 2007. It’s compact and hand-held design makes it convenient and easy to use. Real-time GPS tracking allows for ground based, online flight path monitoring. Your friends, family, or even your flight instructor can easily track the progress of your cross country flight. The tracking mode automatically broadcasts your updated location status at regular intervals to a SPOT hosted website using Google Mapping technology.
SPOT provides users a host of message options and the automatic ability to display geo-location updates in real-time to Google Maps. SPOT uses 100% satellite technology. The benefit is extended coverage far beyond that of cellular phones or other terrestrial communications. Even in remote areas, your exact location can be accurately tracked!
Imagine your friends and family tracking your flight path in real time from their own computer via the Internet. This can be quite enjoyable, as well as comforting for your friends on the ground. Your friends at your destination can confidently track when you are arriving, and meet you as you land to pick you up. That’s convenience!
Long Cross Country Flights
On your next long x-country flight, be sure to take along your SPOT. Your entire journey can be mapped in real-time by your loved ones on the ground. Your exact location and trip progress is broadcasted in real-time for your friends to follow online.
Safety
What if something goes wrong on your flight? Even without an ELT, your location can be quickly determined. Unexpected emergencies and forced landings in desolate areas are always a risk to a pilot. But now with SPOT, your exact location can be pin-pointed for rescue or assistance. SPOT Messenger products allow you to easily notify friends, family or emergency response centers with status messages and location coordinates based on your current situation and need. Send updates and ”I’m ok messages” via satellite to your personal contacts or the flight school anytime.
SPOT function keys allow you to instantly transmit messages based on varying levels of need:
- Check-in/OK let contacts know where you are and that you are okay
- Help/SPOT Assist sends a request for help with your location to friends or family or third party SPOT Assist service providers
- SOS/911 immediately notifies the emergency rescue coordination center of your GPS location
- Track Progress sends and saves your location and allows contacts to track your progress in real-time using Google Maps
- Custom Message allows you to send a custom message to family and friends
SPOT is designed for extreme conditions. It’s rugged, waterproof design makes it invaluable during any emergency response situation. You can trust SPOT even in adverse conditions such as hurricanes and floods. When landline and cellular service may not be available, you still have SPOT as a reliable communications device. Because SPOT uses 100% satellites, it works around the world independent of cellular or VHF radio.
Continue reading SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger »
As a Pilot, or Student Pilot, it’s important to stay up to date with Aviation trends and news. Subscriptions to some key Aviation Magazines is a great way to keep current with what’s happening in the Aviation world.
I love to read anything about aviation, and I subscribe to three great aviation magazines. Every month, I read these three magazines from cover to cover, and I enjoy each and every issue very much. In fact, I look forward to receiving the latest magazines each month, and usually start reading them the day they arrive.
Here are my Top 3 Aviation Magazines
- FLYING Magazine
- PLANE & PILOT Magazine
- KITPLANES Magazine
 Flying Magazine
As the world’s most widely read aviation magazine, Flying delivers reliable information on aircraft evaluation, flying safety, new product development and the latest technology. As a student pilot, or seasoned pilot, you’ll enjoy great advice on improving your flying technique.
I enjoy every issue, and all parts of Flying Magazine. However, here are my favourite sections:
On the Record, and Aftermath
Actual excerpts of official NTSB summaries of general aviation accidents in the United States. Yes, it’s sad to hear about the accidents in GA. But, you can always learn from other’s mistakes. It’s sobering and educational to read about the pitfalls and errors that have trapped other pilots. Many times, you see how a Pilot gets into a deteriorating situation, and reacts too little or too late. Especially when it comes to Weather, all too often we see pilots who were flying when they should have been on the ground.
I will always remember some words from my Ground School Instructor who wisely said:
“I’d rather be on the ground, wishing I was flying. Then, in the air, wishing I was on the ground!”
- A memorable quote from a Ground School Instructor
I Learned About Flying From That
Personal experiences retold in full detail. These true stories always include a helpful lesson on how to stay safe to fly another day. These lessons are accompanied by colourful illustrations to paint a picture of the story. This aviation art is provided by Barry Ross.
Continue reading My 3 Favourite Aviation Magazines »
Pass the Private Pilot PSTAR Exam with Flying Colours!
 PSTAR Exam
Before you can SOLO, a Student Pilot must pass the written Transport Canada PSTAR Exam. This exam tests the student pilot’s knowledge of Air Regulations and Air Traffic Control Procedures. This ensures the student has a sufficient understanding of the necessary CARs (Canadian Aviation Regulations) and AIMs (Aeronautical Information Manual) before flying without their instructor.
PSTAR: Pre Solo Test of Air Regulations
The Pass Mark is 90%
Don’t panic. It may sound scary, but with some practice and hard work, the 90% pass mark should not intimidate you.
PSSST? Want an advance copy of the Exam?
I know what you are thinking… but please don’t get the wrong idea. In fact, Transport Canada publishes a study guide with 200 sample questions. This study and reference guide is designed to assist applicants in preparing for the PSTAR. Click here to browse the PSTAR study and reference guide.
The PSTAR guide is broken into 14 sections, including 200 questions. For your PSTAR examination, you will be given a sampling of 50 of these questions. Your written exam will include 50 questions from the pool of the 200 published questions.
The PSTAR exam is designed to test the student pilot’s knowledge in the following subject areas:
- Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs)
- Air Traffic Control Clearances and Instructions
- Air Traffic Control procedures as they apply to the control of VFR traffic at controlled airports
- Air Traffic procedures at uncontrolled airports and aerodromes
- Special VFR Regulations
- Aeronautical Information Circulars
- NOTAMs
The PSTAR study and reference guide includes a detailed reference section directing the student to the appropriate regulations to answer each question. Continue reading How I Aced the PSTAR Exam! »
LearnToFly.ca Editors meet International Airshow Performer Patty Wagstaff
Patty Wagstaff is one of the world’s best airshow performers.
Three-time U.S. National Aerobatic Champion!
Patty is known throughout the Aviation world for her low level aerobatic performances in her Extra 300S.
It was a pleasure to meet Patty at the Canadian Aviation Expo Airshow event in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. Patty Wagstaff is a Commercial, Multi-engine, Seaplane and Commercial Helicopter pilot with Certified Flight and Instructor ratings. She has flown many types of airplanes including warbirds, turbo-props and jets. But, Patty is best known for her thrilling performances in her custom EXTRA 300S sponsored by Cirrus.
Patty is a member of the United Stuntwomen’s Association in Hollywood, California. She skilfully provides stunt pilot and aerial co-ordinator services for major motion pictures, television and commercial projects.
Inductee National Aviation Hall of Fame
In July 2004, Patty Wagstaff was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame. Then in 2006, she was an Inductee to the Air Show Hall of Fame.
Best Wishes from Patty Wagstaff for LearnToFly.ca
“To Learn to Fly! Keep up the Good Work!”
- Patty Wagstaff, Three-time U.S. National Aerobatic Champion
 Earn Your Wings!
Stop Dreaming about it…
It’s time to let your dreams Soar!
This interactive web portal provides you with links, comments, and many resources to help you Learn To Fly.
We’ll help you achieve your lifelong passion. We hope you enjoy the many articles and tips to help you Learn to Fly.
It’s time to take Flight!
Be a Pilot!
Wheels Up: March 3, 2010
LearnToFly.ca was launched March 3, 2010 by LearnToFly Inc.
Let’s Go Flying!
- Dreaming of Flying?
- Already in Training?
- Seasoned Pilot?
- Aviation Enthusiast?
- Flying Instructor?
- Student Pilot?
Join us on your journey to the Sky!
Be a Pilot.
Have you subscribed yet?
Now it’s time to Learn To Fly. That’s what LearnToFly.ca is all about.
Join other Aviation Enthusiasts, aspiring pilots, and pilots who get free and fresh Flight Training content as soon as it’s published.
Thanks!
Page 9 of 9« First«...56789
|
|
Before the days of Glass Panels, this was a typical General Aviation Instrument Panel.
Recent Comments