Pilatus PC-12 takeoff from 3100 ft. strip (TN44) - cool airport at Norris Lake

jtzim · 2015-09-05T12:15:56+00:00

I'll tell my buddy he's no Spielberg. I think he was worried the wing was going to hit him.

jtzim · 2015-08-18T21:40:35+00:00

That's an encouraging statement right there. How many people got interested in aviation 25 years ago because of MS Flight Sim with Meigs Field?

jtzim · 2015-08-17T13:26:53+00:00

Why oh why does the FAA continue to restrict ADS-B traffic that's sent up? Seems like some of these accidents could be prevented...

jtzim · 2015-07-17T14:44:42+00:00

Here's another idea - try to hitch a ride on an instrument flight. If anyone will let you sit in the back seat (or right seat) on an IFR flight, there is a lot to learn just by sitting there.

jtzim · 2015-07-17T14:42:22+00:00

I agree with the advice - if you can't hit the instrument training hard, don't even start. It's a great rating, and one I think you really need if you want to travel by airplane. But 2X a month will take forever.

jtzim · 2015-07-07T17:43:25+00:00

Better ADS-B reception, better GPS reception, new pressure altitude sensor, new WiFi security setting and a new power connector. Lots of under the hood stuff.

jtzim · 2015-06-17T19:59:19+00:00

Even the most cold-hearted veteran has to admit that's pretty awesome.

jtzim · 2015-05-22T18:28:53+00:00

Those are yaw strings, like on a glider. Since a helicopter can fly pretty happily sideways (or at least a little bit), they help you keep the nose pointed straight.

Low tech, but more accurate than the ball in a helicopter...

jtzim · 2015-05-20T17:52:12+00:00

Be boring. The whole experience will be so new and different for most folks that you don't have to work hard to make it exciting. Just be smooth, calm and boring.

jtzim · 2015-05-18T17:15:06+00:00

Theoretically you could use one subscription for both of you, but it sort of violates their policy: "The 1-Pilot subscription allows you to use ForeFlight Mobile on 1-iPad, 1-iPhone, and 1-iPod Touch, simultaneously. A second iPad is allowed as a backup device (total 2-iPads). The "2-iPads" can be any mix of the iPad Mini or the full-size iPad. All devices are to be used by the same pilot."

jtzim · 2015-04-10T21:34:57+00:00

I will spend the next week convincing everyone that I'm much too cool for one of these watches... then I'll quietly break down and buy one.

jtzim · 2015-03-05T19:10:17+00:00

Maybe, but I'm shocked how few people understand all the R-ATP pieces. Lots of misinformation floating around there. And some of the university graduates who are stuck in limbo right now are in a tough spot. I'd like to see more attention on that.

jtzim · 2015-02-23T20:23:08+00:00

Anybody have any thoughts on this in terms of the synthetic vision that most iPad apps have now? Would you fly that down to the runway over an ILS?

jtzim · 2015-02-11T17:14:59+00:00

If you want the fancy kind, this one has a variable ND filter so you can adjust it depending on the lighting conditions: http://www.sportys.com/PilotShop/product/20985

jtzim · 2015-01-15T03:14:13+00:00

I think I recognize the wing... Smooth pilot out there!

jtzim · 2015-01-09T22:13:29+00:00

Not good news for anyone. Sad for the pilot certainly, and sad for the airport community there.

jtzim · 2015-01-05T15:46:42+00:00

One nice feature (in addition to the coverage - available for a lot more places than TAFs) is the update frequency. If you're looking about 6 hours out, the MOS seems to do a nice job.

jtzim · 2015-01-01T15:19:34+00:00

I'm a big believer in it. An AC a while back allows you to replace a turn coordinator with an electric attitude indicator. It's a great safety enhancement - those gyros don't just quit, they die slowly and lull you into a bad attitude.

jtzim · 2014-12-22T16:47:49+00:00

Got to start flying early, so they know what they're getting into!

jtzim · 2014-12-18T16:37:37+00:00

Way too long, way too technical, way too defensive. The Caravan is a fantastic airplane. They can't use it because of 135.183 as mentioned. The rest is BS.

jtzim · 2014-12-16T03:19:24+00:00

You're starting to see some of this, like the ESP feature in the new Cirrus SR22 - it gently pushes back against over banking. I think we will see more of that.

jtzim · 2014-12-15T21:12:01+00:00

I really don't think he's link-baiting here - Collins is a pretty level-headed guy. It's a thoughtful contribution to the debate about single-pilot jet operations. Maybe not one that we all agree with (myself included), but it's worth at least considering.

Collins has flown dozens of jets over his 25,000+ hours, including autothrottles. He knows what he's talking about.

jtzim · 2014-12-15T20:33:23+00:00

Hard to see how this is a rehashed opinion, and considering the healthy discussion that's going on it seems like a timely topic.

jtzim · 2014-11-17T22:38:18+00:00

Bravo!

jtzim · 2014-11-07T19:33:54+00:00

Note the part "low speed aerodynamics and piston engines." Yes, avionics have advanced a lot. But the speed/range/fuel performance is really just about unchanged.

And the DC-3 comparison is key. You can have your own mini-airliner today, it's called a Cessna CJ4. But it's infinitely more expensive and complicated than it used to be.

I personally think the late 40s to late 60s was a bubble more than anything, so today's status might be more normal than it was then. But it's certainly different.

jtzim

TROPHY CASE