Flying Lessons Weekly

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FLYING LESSONS for April 24, 2025

FLYING LESSONS for April 24, 2025

Topics this week include: > We don’t know > Steep spiral > Just bad decisions Download this report in a pdf From a recent NTSB preliminary report: A Cessna 210L was destroyed in an accident near Raceland, Louisiana. The pilot and flight instructor were fatally injured. The accident pilot had recently… Read More

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FLYING LESSONS for April 17, 2025

FLYING LESSONS for April 17, 2025

Topics this week include: > A fatal trend? > Continual training > Success story Download this report in a pdf FLYING LESSONS uses recent mishap reports to consider what might have contributed to accidents, so you can make better decisions if you face similar circumstances.  In most cases design characteristics of a specific airplane… Read More

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FLYING LESSONS for April 10, 2025

FLYING LESSONS for April 10, 2025

Topics this week include: > Three strikes > We’re all susceptible > Confident go, warranted no-go Download this report in a pdf FLYING LESSONS uses recent mishap reports to consider what might have contributed to accidents, so you can make better decisions if you face similar circumstances.  In most cases design characteristics of a… Read More

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FLYING LESSONS for April 3, 2025

FLYING LESSONS for April 3, 2025

Topics this week: > Admitting it can > We don’t know why > Everyone does it, it’s inconvenient, nothing bad happened Download this report in a pdf FLYING LESSONS uses recent mishap reports to consider what might have contributed to accidents, so you can make better decisions if you face similar circumstances.  In most… Read More

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FLYING LESSONS for March 27, 2025

FLYING LESSONS for March 27, 2025

Topics this week: > Negative performance > The real argument > You won’t be wrong Download this report in a pdf FLYING LESSONS uses recent mishap reports to consider what might have contributed to accidents, so you can make better decisions if you face similar circumstances.  In most cases design characteristics of a specific… Read More

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FLYING LESSONS for March 20, 2025

FLYING LESSONS for March 20, 2025

Topics this week include: > Training secret > Make it easy > “You gotta learn crosswinds” Download this report in a PDF FLYING LESSONS uses recent mishap reports to consider what might have contributed to accidents, so you can make better decisions if you face similar circumstances.  In most cases design characteristics of a… Read More

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FLYING LESSONS for March 6, 2025

FLYING LESSONS for March 6, 2025

Topic this week include: > LODC season > A skillful application of flight controls > When two things go wrong Download this report in a pdf FLYING LESSONS uses recent mishap reports to consider what might have contributed to accidents, so you can make better decisions if you face similar circumstances.  In most cases… Read More

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FLYING LESSONS for February 27, 2025

FLYING LESSONS for February 27, 2025

Topics this week: > Stabilized go-around > Landing too fast > Fly the airplane you’re flying Download this report in a pdf Stabilized Go-Around Reader/instructor Mark Sletten commented about last week’s LESSONS: “…we should be teaching students stabilized go-around criteria as well.” Going around is as natural a part of flying as landing or taking… Read More

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FLYING LESSONS for February 20, 2025

FLYING LESSONS for February 20, 2025

Topics this week: > Fast, slow, high, low > Focus on adds focus to > Coming together to stay apart Download this report in a pdf FLYING LESSONS uses recent mishap reports to consider what might have contributed to accidents, so you can make better decisions if you face similar circumstances.  In most cases… Read More

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FLYING LESSONS for February 13, 2025

FLYING LESSONS for February 13, 2025

Topics this week include: > Trust issues > The way to go > The fourth dimension Download this report in a pdf Last week’s LESSONS were prompted by one aspect of the collision of a PSA Canadair Regional Jet operating under American Airlines colors and a U.S. Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter over… Read More

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Disclaimer

FLYING LESSONS uses recent mishap reports to consider what might have contributed to accidents, so you can make better decisions if you face similar circumstances. In most cases design characteristics of a specific airplane have little direct bearing on the possible causes of aircraft accidents—but knowing how your airplane’s systems respond can make the difference in your success as the scenario unfolds. Apply these FLYING LESSONS to the specific airplane you fly.

Verify all technical information before applying it to your aircraft or operation, with manufacturers’ data and recommendations taking precedence. You are pilot in command, and are ultimately responsible for the decisions you make.