I am reviewing the requirements for a commercial pilots license. There are two that are perplexing me. I ask it on the IFR forum simply because it is the one I am most familiar with and folks here seem ver FAR knowledgable (sorry if this is not the best place for it). Part 61.129 (Aeronautical...

Knocked out a couple of approaches today in IMC conditions. Was cut short due to a vacuum system problem (note, not the pump). Ceilings 1500 at KJAN and 1400 on my approach into KMBO. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCvDb3mCAf8 Just after entering the clouds, saw my attitude indicator show...

Why is the turn coordinator so popular? I find the presentation similar to the artificial horizon is poor. The good old turn needle never leads to any confusion. If the silly little airplane was replaced by a needle and dog houses, I think I'd like it better. The 4 minute needle gives superior...

I need to get my FAA license upgraded. Currently it is ME, VFR, based on my Canadian ME IFR ATPL. To have it include IFR, I have to write the FAA Knowledge Test "Instrument Rating - Foreign Pilot (IFP)". I cannot find/google what exactly is being tested for the IFP: Is it questions from the...

I know the rules on IFR currency as far as the FAA certificate is concerned but I have a scenario which my be worth a debate. A pilot holds independently both a FAA/IR and a JAR/IR. The JAR IR is valid for 12 months and must be revalidated in the three months preceding the expiry of the rating,...

Given the recent changes in the regs, do us folks with certified Garmin 430's and 530's file slant R now? I heard there's a write-up by AOPA. Can someone point me to that article please? Thanks, Marco Leon

A friend has some Apollo unit that is capable of enroute and terminal navigation. How do I know if the installation is actually approved for IFR flight ? Thanks

I just restarted my subscription to NACO for a select few instrument charts and am not impressed with their quality. I just got my new charts effective for 9/1 and found two errors in less than 5 minutes of reviewing them. Here are the errors in case anyone is interested and uses these charts...

Hi all. My currency just ran out last month and I was wondering within the next six months Im allowed to have a safty pilot with me or do I need a instructor to perform the six approches holds and tracking? I looked through the FARS and it really says nothing about who can be with you during the...

I've used a 295 for aviation purposes since it came out and a Street Pilot III for auto trips. Recently, issues developed with reestablishing the update chain for the SP III road map software. So, I decided to upgrade to a 296, which does "trains, planes, and automobiles." (Actually, aviation,...

Yesterday I flew two approaches with my GNS 430, the RNAV (GPS) RWY 03 at KCHO, and the RNAV (GPS) RWY 24 at KROA. In both cases, the 430 reported "Approach Not Active" just s I reached the FAF (JAGAG at CHO and HIBAN at ROA), and stopped sequencing. I am quite certain that I activated both...

I know the aim para 5.4.7 says that aircraft approach categories are based on 1.3 times the stall speed in the landing config at max certificated gross landing weight (comes from far 97.3 (b). However I know I have read somewhere, perhaps the aim or a far, something along the lines that where the...

A few days ago there was a thread here discussing how to make use of digital NACO approach plates on a PDA. The context was that a pilot could download and print fresh current charts for the primary airport(s) and alternate(s), and have charts for other airports available on a PDA for use in the...

I fly out of Palo Alto, CA, and I have never heard an IFR clearance read over ground whose route section did not start "when able, right turn to 060 with 1 mi of the airport, radar vectors san jose, v334 sunol ..." My clearance starts out this way whether I file a flight plan to the east, north, or...

Saw on AvWeb that the preliminary file on the Hendricks King Air crash that spawned much discussion here has been posted: http://ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20041104X01760&key=1 For reference, here is the approach plate: http://204.108.4.16/d-tpp/0411/05648L30.PDF My take-away:

Okay, I've been watching the transition to glass cockpits in GA aircraft. Clearly, the cost savings and simplification that comes from integration is neat, and the reliability of an all-electrical system is (probably) going to mean more safety for all of us. But one thing bugs me -- the tapes. I...

Flew my first GPS approaches this morning... Wow!!! Easy and precise! I was flying a 1997 C182S with King KLN 94 GPS and UPSAT MX 20 moving map display. The moving map has a lot of lag during a turn, but fly the OBS and you go right where you are supposed to.

When I was young I got my license the week I turned 18. I left flying when I left my first wife. I would like to resume flying, but want to focus on IFR simulation (most cost effective) at home training before beginning actual flight training. Any advice would be appreciated to help me develop a...

Notice our DOT buddy Norm Mineta may be the biggest problem of all regarding air safety http://www.womenswallstreet.com/WWS/article_landing.aspx?titleid=1&articleid=711 Mineta is mentioned on page 6 of this very disturbing article Political Correctness is going to be America's demise no doubt...

How do you get clearances from a non-towered field in Canada? Do they use RCO/GCO or void-times like in the US? Are pop-up clearances used?