326 How to Get a Job Towing Gliders – Interview Jason Stephens + GA News

Max talks with Arizona Soaring President and Chief Flight Instructor Jason Stephens and eight time Nation glider aerobatic champion about what it takes to become a glider towplane pilot. Surprisingly, you can tow gliders with just a Private certificate, though most operators will probably want their prospective tow pilots to have a commercial rating. Most new tow pilots will  probably be required to have at least a couple hundred hours of total experience. And since most tow planes are taildraggers, they’ll also need a taildragger endorsement.

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TBM-850 crash at Raleigh-Durham airport
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325 N51FM SR22 Crash at Paso Robles – When to fly the Hold at an IF/IAF

Max talks about the accident of N51FM, a Cirrus SR22T at Paso Robles, CA, and emphasizes the importance of understanding approach procedures, particularly when starting an approach from an IF/IAF fix with a racetrack. The accident involved a pilot who failed to follow correct procedures, leading to a crash, though fortunately, all occupants survived. Max breaks down the mistakes made by the pilot and discusses the implications for instrument pilots.

The flight began in Scottsdale, AZ, with the aircraft flying towards Paso Robles after a stop at Big Bear, CA. The host highlights deviations from standard procedures during the approach to Big Bear and the subsequent flight to Paso Robles. The pilot’s missteps include flying the traffic pattern in the wrong direction and excessive speeds that deviated from Cirrus standard operating procedures.

The crucial part of the flight occurs when the aircraft receives clearance for an RNAV (GPS) approach to Paso Robles, specifically to the combined IF/IAF waypoint HOVLI. The host emphasizes the importance of understanding approach segments and when to fly holds at IF/IAFs. In this case, the pilot was required to fly a holding pattern at HOVLI due to the direction of approach. However, the pilot failed to adhere to this requirement, leading to subsequent errors.

After receiving clearance for the approach, the pilot failed to fly the hold at HOVLI, resulting in being significantly above the required altitudes for subsequent fixes. The aircraft’s approach becomes unstable, with including reaching the Vne speed of 208 knots on the approach, and a descent rate that reached 2300 feet per minute. Fortunately, the pilot decided to circle back to runway 19, but instead lined up for runway 13, and then crashing between the two runways.

Max analyzes the human factors that may have influenced the pilot’s decision-making, including pressure to complete the flight, risk perception, and overconfidence. The importance of recognizing and mitigating these human factors is emphasized, highlighting the need for robust training and a safety-oriented mindset.

The accident serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the consequences of deviating from standard procedures and the importance of maintaining situational awareness and decision-making abilities, especially in challenging situations. The host encourages pilots to prioritize safety, utilize resources effectively, and be willing to execute a go-around when necessary.

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RNAV (GPS) 19 approach to KPRB, Paso Robles, CA

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324 13 Ways to build flight time with Rob Mark – Part 2 + GA News

Max talks with Rob Mark about thirteen different ways a pilot can build flight time. These jobs may be attractive to weekend pilots who are looking for a fun flying activity, or for pilots who are looking to reach the 1500 hours required for an ATP and an airline job. This is Part 2 of a two episode series.

In Part 2, we discuss Part 91 and Corporate flying, Air tours, Banner towing, time building programs, glider towing, working as a CFI, and flying a personal airplane. We also discuss the illegal P-51time, which has nothing to do with warbirds.

And I want to mention one other resource for pilots who are looking for low time pilot jobs.  I mentioned the Road to 1500 website where you can learn about a lot of these jobs. And just a couple of weeks ago, Ivan Rabarison, who runs that website, began offering what he calls the Ultimate Low Time Pilot Jobs Database, which sells for  $29.99. I haven’t seen it, but apparently it includes minimum hour requirements to apply, location, website, contact information and in some case information about pay, work schedules and more. So it sounds like a fairly efficient to help find these jobs.

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FAA Hiring Controllers April 19-22
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323 13 Ways to build flight time with Rob Mark – Part 1 + GA News

Max talks with Rob Mark about thirteen different ways a pilot can build flight time. These jobs may be attractive to weekend pilots who are looking for a fun flying activity, or for pilots who are looking to reach the 1500 hours required for an ATP and an airline job. This is Part 1 of a two episode series.

In Part 1, we discuss Part 135 Charter flying, Part 135 Cargo flying, flying skydivers, Pipeline Patrol, working as a Ferry Pilot and working as an Aerial Survey Pilot. We also talked briefly about aerial photography. In Part 2, we discuss seven additional ways that pilots can build flight time.

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2024 GUIDE FOR AVIATION MEDICAL EXAMINERS
NTSB Preliminary Report UA flight 2477
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322 N960LP TBM 960 Truckee crash; Robinson helicopter factory tour + GA News

Max talks about the details of the crash of a TBM 960, N960LP, at Truckee, California last weekend. He also talks in detail about his factory tour last week of Robinson Helicopter.

The pilot, by all accounts well trained and experienced in the aircraft. The flight originated from the Centennial Airport, south of Denver, and lasted about 3 hours and 15 minutes. Weather at the time the pilot flew the approach was ½ mile visibility and snow with clouds scattered at 300 feet and overcast at 700 feet. However the approach minimums were 1 mile visibility and the MDA is 582 feet AGL. So the clouds were approximately 120 feet above minimums, and the visibility was ½  mile….less than the minimums.

Max talks about how the pilot flew the instrument approach more or less successfully, though he descended more than 200 feet below the minimums, and he started his turn for the missed approach 1.3 miles beyond the missed approach point. While he flew the approach with the autopilot, he flew the missed approach by hand, and lost control.

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Robinson Helicopter Company Factory Tour video
#227 My Near-Fatal Icing Incident
#233 What You Need to Know about Advisory Glide Slopes
Truckee Airport Procedures and Noise Abatement

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321 Sleep Inertia and False Glide Slope – Air India Flight 812 Crash

Max talks about two critical factors, sleep inertia and false glide slopes, which played significant roles in an Air India Express accident. Despite being unrelated phenomena, they converged to contribute to the crash of Flight 812 in 2010. Air India Express, a low-cost airline operating in India, experienced its first fatal crash during this flight.

The aircraft, a Boeing 737, was returning from Dubai to Mangalore, India. However, the cockpit voice recorder revealed that the captain had been asleep for a significant portion of the flight, awakening only shortly before the crash. Compounded by issues such as inadequate descent planning and reliance on visual cues due to radar unavailability, the crew found themselves on an unstabilized approach, ignoring multiple warnings and calls for a go-around from the first officer.

The aircraft ultimately overshot the runway, impacting various structures and resulting in numerous fatalities. Investigation highlighted the captain’s failure to discontinue the unstable approach as the primary cause, with contributory factors including sleep inertia and improper descent planning.

Max also talks about the technical aspects of false glide slopes, explaining how they can mislead pilots during instrument approaches. He emphasizes the importance of proper altitude management and approach verification to avoid tracking false glide slopes, which can lead to catastrophic consequences. Examples from aviation incidents and personal experiences underscore the criticality of adhering to correct procedures, particularly during instrument approaches.

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Final Report – Air India Express 812 Accident

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320 The Secret to Making Better Landings with Data – Chuck Cali + GA News

There are three secrets to making great landings. Unfortunately, nobody knows what they are. That’s an old joke but fortunately, there is a proven way to make better landings, and that’s by collecting data on your landings. Host Max Trescott talks with Chuck Cali about how you can collect data for your landings and compare it with other pilots. The techniques apply to anyone flying a modern glass cockpit, such as the G1000. Chuck has analyzed 40,000 Cirrus landings and concluded that pilots could be doing a better job, especially during the flare and touchdown.

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319 Hot Springs Jet Crash, United FL 2477 Houston Overrun, Fuel Related Accidents + GA News

In this episode, Max discusses the crash of N1125A, a 1991 ASTRA/GULFSTREAM 1125 SP business jet at Ingalls Field Airport in Hot Springs, Virgina. It was the third fatal business jet crash in the U.S. in just five weeks. Five people on board were killed. The aircraft had been purchased just 3 ½ months early. ADS-B data shows it had a normal approach on the ILS down to about 1000 feet AGL, where the data stopped. Strong winds prevailed, and it’s likely that there were strong downdrafts on short final, which may have brought the jet down.

Several airline pilots send feedback about the United flight 2477 taxiway overrun at Houston. They also talked about the FOQA programs which would have provided automatic reporting, if this approach to landing met the airline’s criteria for an automatic go around. Max also reads listener emails related to the ten fuel-related accidents discussed last week.

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Astra Jet N1125A accident ADS-B Data
Fear of Landing Blog
NTBS Final report: N90559 Stall/Spin/Spiral Accident
Airline Speedrunning Tweet
AC 120-82 Flight Operational Quality Assurance
Rob Mark’s JetWhine blog
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Coleal 2009 Legal Interpretation

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318 Recent Fuel Exhaustion and Fuel Starvation Accidents + GA News

In this episode, Max discusses the critical issue of fuel-related accidents in aviation, highlighting various incidents and discussing preventive measures. He summarizes ten recent NTSB reports, showing that fuel starvation and exhaustion accidents are more likely in older aircraft. Despite advancements in modern aircraft with low fuel warning systems, older models lack these safety features, making them more susceptible to such accidents.

The episode stresses that fuel-related accidents are not exclusive to low-time pilots, as even experienced ATP-rated pilots can be affected, especially when transitioning to new aircraft models. Accidents are often attributed to inadequate fuel planning and improper in-flight decisions.

Two main categories of fuel-related accidents are discussed: fuel exhaustion and fuel starvation. Fuel exhaustion occurs when no usable fuel remains onboard due to poor decision-making or leaving fuel caps off, while fuel starvation happens when fuel is not reaching the engine due to various factors such as incorrect fuel tank selection or mechanical failures.

These real-world examples underscore the need for thorough preflight planning, careful fuel management, and awareness of aircraft systems to prevent such accidents. The episode also offers practical advice for pilots flying older aircraft to minimize the risk of fuel-related accidents. It advocates for the installation of fuel totalizers, which provide accurate real-time fuel readings and are more reliable than traditional fuel gauges. Regular updates of fuel totalizers after refueling are essential for accurate fuel monitoring.

Drawing from personal experience, Max highlights the effectiveness of fuel totalizers in providing precise fuel readings, significantly reducing uncertainty compared to conventional fuel gauges.

In conclusion, the podcast emphasizes the significance of proactive measures in mitigating fuel-related accidents in aviation. By prioritizing thorough preflight planning, awareness of aircraft systems, and leveraging advanced technologies like fuel totalizers, pilots can enhance safety and minimize the risk of fuel-related incidents, ultimately ensuring a safer flying experience for all.

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United FL2477 ADS-B Data on Flightradar24

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317 Naples Challenger Jet Update & 1994 Challenger Dual Flameout + GA News

In this episode, Max discusses two Challenger jet crashes involving dual engine failures: one in Naples, FL, in February 2024 and another in Nebraska in 1994. The incidents share some similarities.

In the Naples crash, both engines experienced oil pressure warnings within seconds of each other before failing simultaneously. The preliminary report indicates the left landing gear touched down first, followed by the right, before the plane skidded into a concrete barrier. The cabin attendant facilitated passengers’ safe evacuation through the tail compartment. The pilots, highly experienced, had a combined flight time of over 35,000 hours. The aircraft, with GE CF34 Series turbofan engines, underwent recent airworthiness inspections and was fuel-soaked post-crash, ruling out fuel exhaustion.

Further examination revealed thermal damage to engine components but no clear cause for the simultaneous engine failures. Discussion with an Challenger jet pilot who listens to the show recalled a similar incident involving a Challenger aircraft that also had a dual engine flameout in 1994.

That crash occurred during a positioning flight after passenger drop-off, after experiencing a dual engine flameout between FL370 and FL410. The aircraft sustained substantial damage during a forced landing at night in an alfalfa field.

Analysis revealed water contamination in the fuel, leading to the engines’ failure. Both engines were sent for examination, showing consistent findings with fuel samples. The NTSB attributed the crash to inadequate planning, decision-making, and preflight inspections following fuel contamination.

Comparing the two crashes, both had simultaneous dual engine failures occurring around two hours into flight, and both had a yellow liquid in the fuel. At this point, the cause of the Naples crash is still unknown, though Cockpit Voice Recorder and Flight Data Recorder analysis should provide new clues.

The episode underscores the importance of fuel contamination awareness, and the necessity for thorough preflight inspections and proper response to warning signs.

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NTSB Preliminary Report: Colorado Hawker Crash

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