Justin's Pilot Reports (PIREP)

That invisible threat…

Justin — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:09:31 +0000

For many pilots that operate out of large airports, the ATC advisory “Caution, Wake Turbulence”, is frequent on the airwaves. Pilots learn during flight training that the violent wake vortices from a large, jet aircraft are to be given a wide berth. The turbulence is behind the aircraft and descends below its flight path. It can be affected by wind so generally “behind and below” a larger aircraft is just someplace most of us flying light airplanes should avoid.

Here is a recent AOPA article that highlights the devastating consequence of encountering this turbulence and the reminder that flying at nearly full speed into such turbulence is a recipe for disaster…

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F-117A Stealth Fighter Retirement

Justin — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 01:22:51 +0000

Sad news for aviation enthusiasts, the F-117A Stealth Fighter will be retired as of April 22nd, 2008. I’ve always enjoyed the look and mystery of the F-117A and it will be sorely missed…

Here’s the full article with details:
Air Force’s stealth fighters making final flights

The RV-9A experience…

Justin — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 05:41:33 +0000

This afternoon, I had the good fortune to occupy the right seat in a friend’s RV-9A, for a flight from San Antonio, TX to Llano, TX - home of the famous Cooper’s BBQ. This was my first flight in a RV and first impressions were very, very positive.

Now, let’s pause for a moment. For those of you who may be thinking that RV stands for recreational vehicle let me enlighten you. The RV is a series of airplanes created by Richard VanGrunsven who started Van’s Aircraft, Inc. in 1973 when he was a “skinny, young engineer from rural Oregon who set out to build a better airplane.”

This is an excerpt of The RV-9A experience….
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Two steps forward, one big step back…

Justin — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 15:49:00 +0000

A few weeks ago I was having an end-of-year luncheon with several coworkers at the Tower of Americas. This unique building rises 750ft above downtown San Antonio and features a rotating restaurant that provides diners with an impressive 360 degree view.

Needless to say, the Tower is a prominent VFR landmark that is used frequently by approach controllers at San Antonio International as a waypoint for vectoring General Aviation traffic to the airport.

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Runway incursions

Justin — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 12:37:09 +0000

It’s something we’ve all heard about during our flight training and at many safety seminars since. CNN just posted some dramatic footage recreated from radar and transponder data depicting a couple of near-collisions. When you think of the loss of life involved in the collision of two large airliners, watching the video is a sobering reminder to all of us to follow ATC instructions when taxiing and to use our eyes to double-check. For example, if you’re asked to hold short on a runway, are you looking down the final approach path to double-check that it’s clear or just taking ATC’s word for it??

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IFR Adventures

Justin — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 02:29:57 +0000

My last two logbook entries depict flights with quality, IFR flying. Both flights involved the completion of three instrument approaches in actual conditions. One involved an honest to God holding pattern requested by ATC while the other involved my first approach to a military installation - Lackland AFB (Kelly Field Annex).

Now THAT was an experience!

You see, Lackland AFB is home to an 11,550 foot long by 300 foot wide runway. The runway bears the scars of many C-5A Galaxy landings. Shortly after emerging from a slightly bumpy broken layer of clouds at 3,000 feet I was advised by Kelly Tower that I was “Cleared for the Low Approach.”

This is an excerpt of IFR Adventures.
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Passenger briefings before flight…

Justin — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 17:45:28 +0000

If you’re not spending the time to give your passengers a safety briefing before each flight, start doing so. Here’s a perfect example of why this is so important:

Mother saves daughter from submerged plane

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/13920619/detail.html

The pilot provided specific instructions about how to exit the plane in the event of an emergency during his pre-flight checklist. This information is credited for saving four lives in this tragic landing accident (the pilot was killed).