You can regularly find me scouring Vimeo for aviation related short fils, and occasionally there is a need to share the beautiful things I find. In this short film titled “Night Vision: Los Angeles” we are given a rare view of LA from the air. Enjoy!
Flying Magazine’s Tip of the Week: Icing.
Its that time of year, watch out for ice!
Whether your airplane is approved for flight in known icing conditions or not, there are a number of common-sense strategies you can put into practice to minimize your risks of ice-related hazards.
First, never take off with any amount of ice, snow or frost on your airplane. If you do, you’re a test pilot flying an aerodynamically unproven aircraft. Contamination as thin as 80-grit sandpaper can cause a 25 percent loss of lift.
Next, determine where the freezing level is and try to stay several thousand feet below or above it, or clear of clouds.
At the first sign of ice, do something. Climbing is often your best bet since you might not be able to regain altitude if you descend. Better yet is to make a gentle 180-degree turn and retreat.
If you must climb or descend through icing levels, do so as quickly as possible. Consider delaying your descent into icing conditions until you’re as close to your destination as possible.
Don’t let ATC put you in a dangerous situation. Tell them you need priority and don’t be afraid to exercise your emergency authority to do whatever you need to do to stay safe.
Also keep in mind that fuel consumption increases dramatically as more power is needed to keep an ice-laden airplane aloft.
If you’re loaded up with ice, find a long runway and keep your speed up all the way to the surface. Don’t use flaps, which can lead to a sudden tailplane stall.
Finally, be prepared for poor braking action if the runway is covered with ice, snow, slush or water.
For more icing survival tips, pick up a copy of the January issue of Flying.
The original article can be found Surviving Ice.
Photo © aerospaceengineering.aero
Our Continually Evolving Mission Statement
Not all flight schools are created equal, however they can seem to be close to equal.
Limitless Aviation was created to help educate better, more confident pilots that are always evaluative of a situation for its safety, while not being fearful of practical limitations. Limitless was not created to teach people how to pass a practical test, and it was not necessarily created to simply teach people how to fly… It was created, to create aviators.
What I have found in the world of aviation training is that the overwhelming majority of businesses focuses on one thing… Getting their student past the check ride. That is not a philosophy we can adhere to, and it is not a path we will follow.
In talking with general aviation pilots, some new and some experienced there seems to be something missing from how they were trained. Like learning anything, we only know how we were taught until we experience it on our own. That being said, there are quite a few private pilots out there lacking one or two things.
The most common thing I have heard, even amongst experienced non commercial pilots is how they avoid controlled airspace, and will sometimes fly hours out of their way just to avoid having to talk to an air traffic controller. We believe this stems from spending all of your training in non controlled airspace. The FAA requirements for talking to ATC are an absolute minimum to pass the check ride.
Ultimately this breeds fear in a pilot, and fear can cloud judgement.
We don’t believe it to be a fear of ATC… However it is a fear of big commercial passenger and cargo aircraft… jet wash… traffic and everything else that comes with controlled airspace.
The most important thing that is lacking in some of todays new pilots is confidence. The kind of confidence that comes with experience and knowledge while always being partnered with self evaluation and risk mitigation.
We always try to remember two things;
- If your aircraft cannot handle it, then you cannot handle it.
- If you think you cannot handle it… Then you cannot handle it. Period.
Everything in aviation has limitations from your aircraft itself to its ability to handle weather. We as pilots have personal limitations as well. What we aim to do is develop skill, knowledge, and muscle memory so that the pilots we train are as confident as they are self critical assuring the highest levels of safety, while enjoying their new life as aviators.
We fly because we love it. We should not fear it.
We should always be mindful of dangers, and manage risk effectively.
We don’t train pilots, we train aviators.
Phenomenal Animations From Nats!
Nats is a UK based company providing air traffic control services to the UK and parts of Europe. These renderings are used for presentation and marketing purposes. Their beauty is unparalleled and they grant viewers an unseen global perspective on traffic in the skies.
North Atlantic Skies from NATS on Vimeo.
Welcome to Limitless Aviation.
Limitless Aviation is the place where people turn their cubicle into a dream. If it is your desire to change careers, or learn to fly for pleasure we are happy to help make your dreams come true.
Limitless Aviation LLC is based at Saratoga County Airport (5B2) just outside of Saratoga Springs, NY.