Brink Duffy is an (almost) 68-year-old private pilot with airplane and glider ratings, who proves you are never too old to learn in flying: he recently earned his instrument rating. Brink owns a Cessna 150 and is a pilot/owner of Pacific Gold Aviation Association in Lincoln. In this interview, Brink tells us about his passion… Continue reading Never too old to learn (in flying)
Articles
Straight and Level IFR Scan
An instrument student asked me how fast to scan the instrument for straight and level flight. It was a good question. I took a best guess of an answer (~10 seconds per scanning cycle in straight and level flight) and though that seems about right, it also raises a bunch of other questions. Having a… Continue reading Straight and Level IFR Scan
Rust-Shaker: Short Field Landing
Every landing should be planned like a Short Field Landing. Though I certainly would not advocate maximum breaking once firmly on the ground, a well-planned Short Field Landing touches down at a predetermined point with a precisely planned speed and firms up the landing by unloading the wings onto the main landing gear. Why? The… Continue reading Rust-Shaker: Short Field Landing
Rust-Shaker: Soft Field Takeoff
Even if you never want to take off or land at a turf runway in your tricycle gear airplane, the Soft Field Takeoff is a great exercise to refine your technique and re-build confidence. In addition, it is fun! Why? The Soft Field Takeoff involves a balancing act requiring precise inputs in pitch and rudder.… Continue reading Rust-Shaker: Soft Field Takeoff
Rust-Shaker: S-Turns
S-Turns Across a Road Few pilots appear to perform this Ground Reference maneuver much after getting their private pilot license, but perhaps they should, as it is an excellent rust shaker and can be very useful in every pilot’s Rust-Shaker Maneuver collection. Why? S-turns help rebuild proficiency in at least two ways: They require the… Continue reading Rust-Shaker: S-Turns
Rust-Shaker – Steep Turns
The Steep Turn is a go-to Flight Proficiency Maneuver (FPM) of pilots and flight instructors alike, and for good reason. Few other maneuvers so efficiently shake off the rust of proficiency degradation as do Steep Turns. Why? In Steep Turns, we deliberately bring the airplane into an attitude in which it doesn’t fly itself, which… Continue reading Rust-Shaker – Steep Turns
Why Not Make It A (B)FR?
Besides working on a new pilot rating, checkout, endorsements or mandatory flight reviews, there are many reasons to fly with a CFI: Regain proficiency after a pause in flying Preparing for a flight that is outside your comfort zone Practicing a skill that has been neglected (when is the last time you flew under the… Continue reading Why Not Make It A (B)FR?
Currency vs. Proficiency – How Do You Set Your Personal Proficiency Minimums?
You remember the FAA Private Pilot Knowledge Test Questions about pilot currency? Today is May 3rd, 2020. Your last flight was your private pilot practical test on May 15, 2018 in a Cessna 152. Are you current to fly a 400 nm solo cross-country your Piper Archer today? The shocking answer is of course: Yes!… Continue reading Currency vs. Proficiency – How Do You Set Your Personal Proficiency Minimums?
Learn to Fly Here
So, you want to Learn to Fly …. You have come to the right place: we can help you learn to fly with primary flight training – planning, instruction and mentoring. At Great Landings Aviation, our mission is to help people like you accomplish their dream to fly and become safe, confident and fun-loving pilots.… Continue reading Learn to Fly Here
Instrument Training
Want to fly through clouds and in weather less than VFR: an instrument training course is what you need. Getting an instrument rating is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have as a pilot. How often do you get to learn a brand new skills you can learn as an adult. It requires… Continue reading Instrument Training