Blog Profile / Aviation Mentor

May Flying, 2013

Hot Off the Press

With the kind help of the iBooks support team (seems there's a bug in iTunesProducer 2.9), the 4th edition of my book the Concise Guide to IFR is now available on the iTunes store. This edition contains some editorial changes as well...Show More Summary

Pretty Talk

Congress got off it's rusty-dusty and passed legislation allowing the FAA to shift funds to apparently end most air traffic controller furloughs, which allows said members of congress to fly home on the weekend with fewer delays. ItShow More Summary

The Flying Life

Sure the hours are long, you get paid by the hour, and the wages aren't great, but being a professional flight instructor has many advantages. One benefit is that you fly regularly and spend a lot of time in aircraft and at airports, which allows you to encounter and experience things you otherwise wouldn't. Show More Summary

April Flying, 2013

Approaching South Lake Tahoe Colorado River, California on the Left, Arizona on the Right Crossing the Mojave Los Angeles Near Gnoss Field Starting VFR descent to KOAK Pilatus at Rest En Route from Vegas Starting Descent Checking O2 saturation... Salton Sea Mission Bay, San Diego Sierra Stratus Central Valley Haze Over Yosemite Falls South Lake Tahoe

Finding New Legs

Take a look at these two approach charts and you'll notice something usually not seen on RNAV (GPS) approaches and non-RNAV approaches: A curved approach segment called a Radius-to-Fix or RF leg. Previously RF legs were only used inShow More Summary

2013 Spring Photos

A few photos from various trips over the last month or so. Altamont Fog Final Approach, KSAC Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta Sacramento Delta Stratus Delta Windmills Sierra Snow Showers Approaching Left Base, 31L at KPSP Klamath Falls Ramp Klamath Valley Clouds Over Livermore Mt. Show More Summary

More Sequester Fallout

So AOPA has been concerned about the future of GA for some time, but it seems they didn't see this one coming. For those still doubting the effects sequestration will have on general aviation, here is a link to an Airports Council International/North...Show More Summary

Mountain Flying

Some recent photos of flying the DA42 to Shelter Cove as well as through the Sierra Nevada and the Trinity Alps area. Approaching Shelter Cove from the southwest. They call it the Lost Coast for a reason. Dog-leg final, RWY 30. Short...Show More Summary

Sequestration and the GA Pilot

As the US government marches inexorably toward sequestration, this might be a good time to pause and see how across-the-board cuts could affect GA. Work on capital improvements (like the new, unified control tower at the Oakland airport) could slow or stop completely. Show More Summary

January Flying

January 2013 Flying, a set on Flickr. Some random photos from the last few weeks of flying and instructing.

Memento Mori

Anyone involved in GA who spent any time at the Oakland Airport undoubtedly knew, met, or had heard of Lou Fields. Lou was an accomplished pilot, instructor, and examiner with well over 25,000 hours of flight time, but I only know a few details of his storied career. Show More Summary

Conceptual Flying, Part 1

It’s happened to all pilots: You’re struggling to learn in an unfamiliar aircraft or you haven’t flown in a while and you’re rusty. The aircraft seems to have a mind of it’s own and your control inputs are gross and poorly timed. Then your flight instructor (or a more experienced pilot) asks to take the flight controls. Show More Summary

Long Time

It's been a busy past few weeks. Lots of flying. Lots of cycling. Not much energy or time for blogging. I have some posts in the hopper, but need to find time to finish them. In the mean time... En Route to Watsonville When did this private runway get built? Marine Hauler East Bay Regional Parkland Near Pt. Show More Summary

December Flying

Approaching South Lake Tahoe Headed home, into the sun Heavenly Light Lake Tahoe More Layers Sierra Smoke Oakland Departure Oakland Hills After the Cold Front passes Vectors SCK RNAV 11L Here's that rainy day... More smoke Sierra Snow Lots o' screens!

Holiday Flying

A few new photo's. Some are from last week's numerous Thanksgiving flights. A kind of busman's holiday for me, but enjoyable nonetheless. Enjoy... Approaching Lake Havasu Approaching Palm Springs About to cross Tehachapi Bermuda Dunes...Show More Summary

Thankfulness

A beautiful sunny day in SoCal and I found myself hiking to the top of Cowles Mountain, to enjoy a beautiful view, to pause to consider true happiness, and to be thankful. I have the week off with my lovely wife and the best inlaws anyone...Show More Summary

FlyQ - YAEFB

Borrowing an idea from Hamish's YAFB (Yet Another Flying Blog), it's time to test drive Yet Another Electronic Flight Bag - FlyQ. FlyQ is the result of a partnership between Seattle Avionics and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association...Show More Summary

Jeppesen: A Tale of Two Apps

With the latest refresh of their iPad app, Jeppesen is slowly catching up. The operative word in that topic sentence is "slowly." Version 2.0 of Mobile FD offers some cool, new features combined with a few things that has made many users...Show More Summary

Forecast: iPad Mini with occasional IFR

A few photo and some more observations about the suitability of the iPad mini for instrument flying and VFR flying. Enjoy! Peace and quiet at dusk. Approaching San Francisco Bay Flying the pattern at Santa Rosa Preparing for Launch Over...Show More Summary