Flying Lessons Weekly

Topics this week include: >>The little things. >>Facts not (yet) in evidence >>Well-practiced habit Download this report as 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

Topics this week include: >> Threading the needle >> Second glide speed >> Learning from success Download this report in pdf This week’s LESSONS No doubt you’ve seen this video, which has been played widely this week. The pilot of a G36 Bonanza, responding to engine failure, threaded his way between… Read More

Topics this week include: >> More left rudder >> Exercising the rudder >> Coordinating performance 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

Topics this week include: >> The Big Four >> Slow down and do the right thing >> Positive pessimism 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… Read More

Topics this week include: >> Be pessimistic about flight >> Selective acceptance >> Flying through denial 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

Topics this week include: >> Autoland options >> Goals of the flight >> SOPs and techniques 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

Topics this week include: >> A “real” pilot >> Aero-Luddites >> All available resources Download this report in a pdf FLYING LESSONS for January 8, 2026 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… Read More

Topics this week include: >> Asteroid down >> Not just checking a box >> Postflight postbrief Download this report in a pdf This week’s LESSONS I was in the right seat of a G36 Bonanza a couple of weeks ago. The young corporate pilot, employed by the owners of a multistate… Read More

Topics this week include: >> Find it now >> In the habit >> Blue line, red radial Download this report in a pdf Here’s a brief item from the FAA preliminary accident reporting website this week. During a post-flight inspection a helicopter’s tail rotor was found to be damaged.  Are you in the habit of performing… Read More

Topics this week include: >> Haven’t the foggiest >> Shared responsibility >> Instructional safety is paramount Download this report in a pdf This week’s LESSONS The forecast for a cool early December morning was for clear skies, visibility at least six miles. I was planning what I call an “oil warming… Read More