Aviation Pilot Blog

As an instructor I’ve learned to love slow flight and delight in the stall. But I can still remember what it was like to feel differently, to be afraid—even though it seems a long, long time ago. And, because stalls usually came at the end of slow flight practice, I learned to fear slow flight, as well.

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Flying isn’t about filling in the squares and checking off requirements on some list. Sure, we have to meet all the requirements, and some of us use checklists for teaching as well as flying, but it all comes down to competency and professionalism. Do poorly on the airman knowledge test and you can expect the examiner to grill you during the checkride. Worse yet is Mother Nature, who, along with her old friend Murphy’s Law, will see that each of us gets a thorough test of our knowledge someday when we least expect it.

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Most pilots are familiar with winter conditions in their particular area; however, often a distance of a few miles may change the environment enough to present new problems to an inexperienced pilot. There are certain precautions that are significant to winter flying. Flight planning during winter months will require special knowledge in order to protect the aircraft as well as the pilot. Extra precautions should be used. Often roads that are well traveled during the summer months will be abandoned in the winter. To be forced down far from civilization may create a serious problem of survival. With today’s extensive highway system, most flights in small aircraft would not be extended more than a few minutes if a well-traveled route were followed. Even the vehicles on the road can give valuable information. You may see cars and trucks coming toward you with fresh snow adhering to the front of the vehicles. In most cases, you may as well start making a 180-degree turn due to reduced visibility ahead.

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