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Edwin Link patented the first simulator in 1929, and at the time they were used to train military and mail carrier pilots about the intricacies of instrument flying. Today there are a plethora of choices for both professional and GA (General Aviation) pilots. Simulator As defined by the FAA as full size...
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As an ongoing series of blog posts revolving around the simulator, I thought that I would discuss some common flight scenarios and how the simulator can help prepare you should you encounter these scenarios in the “real world.” From an instructor’s perspective, these are some of the...
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As a retired airline pilot and current CSIP, I find SimTrain’s full motion SR20/22 simulator to be a unique and indispensable training tool which takes general aviation flight training to another level. Training scenarios such as windsheer during an instrument approach and loss of the airport environment...
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In this video series, we're going to show how to properly execute a missed approach along with some of the common errors that we see in pilots who have not done this kind of thing in the last few months. These are the last of the videos we shot last August (and thus the last with the poor sound and...
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Recently an off-airport fatal accident happened in Morton, WA when the engine lost power during cruise. Another incident occurred not long ago in Buttonville, Ontario during which loss of engine power on departure caused the pilot to attempt a return to the airport. If your airplane loses power, you’re...
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Although the winter season and subsequent threat of icing for pilots are behind us, another familiar seasonal nemesis is upon us. Can you guess what it might be? I am referring to fog. Silent and sometimes impossible to predict, this weather phenomenon does not always follow the rules. For example, thunderstorms...
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One of the best things about simulator training is that we can make all kinds of things happen that we can't even get close to simulating in the real airplane. If you've been following our video series then you've already seen a few of those situations. In this video, we're going to demonstrate...
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Here's the third in our video series about what you could do if your engine fails shortly after takeoff. In the last videos (found here and here) we first looked at what would happen if the pilot attempted to return to the airport, with disastrous results. Next we tried to land straight ahead in...
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Here's the second in our video series about what you could do if your engine fails shortly after takeoff. In the last video (found here ) we looked at what would happen if the pilot attempted to return to the airport, with disastrous results. Turning back to the airport is generally a recipe for...
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IFR rated pilots use numerous acronyms, phrases and checklists to remind themselves to gather all the necessary information to properly set up and fly an instrument approach. You may recall the W-I-R-E check. After years of using various “reminders”, I offer the one I like best and always...
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It was a day not unlike any other... early summer of 2006 if memory serves. The air was warm but not oppressive and I was well rested and healthy. I climbed into the cockpit with Brock sitting next to me in the left seat even though I was going to be the PIC for this flight. I needed a little practice...
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I thought I would post a blog entry about my observations on the use of the parachute in the simulator. I also have a regular client who has experienced a real life chute pull that has offered some great insight comparing the experience in the simulator that his real-life scare. Pulling the chute is...
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It is one thing to lead a student through an intellectual discussion on Aeronautical Decision Making, but entirely another for that same student to put those principles to use under pressure in the real world. One of my core philosophies about aviation safety is that a single good decision can make up...
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Many pilots with whom I talk about emergencies have thought quite a bit about how they would handle this or that situation. This is an excellent practice as any good pilot should do, but I have noticed something of a disconnect between words and actions. Occasionally, I even find areas which a pilot...
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It's time to sharpen your skills for the winter flying coming up! Winter always brings with it the unique challenges of blustery days, slick runways, icing, lower IFR weather, and higher winds at lower altitudes. Physiological concerns are also present - remember the survival gear! As the summer...