Category Archives: Learn To Fly

Alcohol and Aviation

I was reading an article about when do you have to report a DUI or DWI related action (in a motor vehicle) to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)? You can read it here. It is true that any arrest, and/or conviction has to be reported to the FAA within 60 days, as required by FAR

Pilot Vision

Vision is a pilot’s most important sense to obtain reference information during flight. Most pilots are familiar with the optical aspects of the eye. Before we start flying, we know whether we have normal uncorrected vision, whether we are farsighted or nearsighted, or have other visual problems. Most of us who have prescription lenses—contacts or

Medications and Flying

Does this story sound familiar? It’s Sunday morning, the last day of a three-day trip. You have four hours of flying ahead of you to get back home, but something about the air conditioner last night has left you with stuffy nose and sinuses this morning. You know from your training and experience that flying

Hearing and Noise in Aviation

HEARING The term hearing describes the process, function, or power of perceiving sound. Hearing is second only to vision as a physiological sensory mechanism to obtain critical information during the operation of an aircraft. The sense of hearing makes it possible to perceive, process, and identify among the myriad of sounds from the surrounding environment.

Pilot Checklist – ANCM

Huh? What the heck is ANCM = P 4? You see, in aviation, there are a whole bunch of acronyms and memory aids that are used by the pilots and other crew to assist with daily routine items. And this is one of them. The items are written down in the order of priority. The

Spatial Disorientation in Aviation

Spatial Orientation Spatial Orientation is our natural ability to maintain our body orientation and/or posture in relation to the surrounding environment (physical space) at rest and during motion. Genetically speaking, humans are designed to maintain spatial orientation on the ground. The three-dimensional environment of flight is unfamiliar to the human body, creating sensory conflicts and

Fatigue in Aviation

Fatigue is an expected and ubiquitous aspect of life. For the average individual, fatigue presents a minor inconvenience, resolved with a nap or by stopping whatever activity that brought it on. Typically, there are no significant consequences. However, if that person is involved in safety-related activities such as operating a motor vehicle, piloting an aircraft,

Sport Pilot

DEFINITION OF A LIGHT SPORT AIRCRAFT 14 CFR PART 1.1 Light-sport aircraft means an aircraft, other than a helicopter or powered-lift that, since its original certification, has continued to meet the following:  (1) A maximum takeoff weight of not more than– (i) 1,320 pounds (600 kilograms) for aircraft not intended for operation on water; or

Circadian Rhythm Disruption and Aviation

It’s All About the Rhythm and Blues Our body’s biological functions work much like a finely tuned watch: Every part works in unison to keep the body in homeostasis (maintenance of the internal environment within tolerable limits). However, when one working part doesn’t function normally, it tends to disrupt many other vital parts and can

Maneuvering Speed or Structural Cruising Speed?

del.icio.us Tags: VA,maneuvering speed,VNO VA – known as maneuvering speed is the maximum speed at which you can safely stall an airplane. During certification of the aircraft the forces are measured on the elevator (see image) and a maximum speed, i.e. maneuvering speed is established. At any speed above VA you would exceed structural limits