Safety Spotlight

Spring Preflight

Like people, flying machines need regular exercise to stay in shape. Unfortunately, the cold, ice, snow, and darkness of winter mean that many airplanes sit idle for months at a time, and bad things tend to befall pilots who just "kick the tires and light the fires" on the first warm day of the year. Check out these tips on getting your airplane ready for the spring flying season.

Winter Weather

Ask any pilot which season yields the best chances for a glassy smooth flight, and they'll likely respond, "Winter!" Ask the same pilot which season yields the least flyable weather, and the response will probably be the same—if less enthusiastic. Cold temperatures, low clouds, snow, and ice present unique difficulties and dangers, but don't be discouraged: Winter flying can be tremendously rewarding if you're well prepared.

Airspace

Like it or not, there's no avoiding airspace. Whether you're planning a quick hop to a nearby strip or an epic cross-country voyage, the regulations and common sense both require you to be well versed on any type of airspace that lies in your path.

If you could use an airspace refresher, check out these tips on reviewing the basics (and not-so-basics) and get plenty of practical tips for your next flight.

Summer Weather

With its warm weather and long days, summer is great for flying! It's the perfect time of year to search for the best $100 hamburger, or to just spend some quality time enjoying a hobby that winter may have interrupted.

Unfortunately, it's also the perfect time of year for thunderstorms, high density altitudes, and visibility-reducing haze. Check out these resources for tips that'll help make it a summer to remember—not regret.

Pilot Proficiency and the Flight Review

It's a beautiful Saturday morning, the airplane's practically begging to be flown, and you can hardly wait to get off the ground—at least until you remember that your flight review expired two weeks ago.

Oops! It's important to maintain currency, but it's more important to stay proficient. Check out these resources for tips on keeping your skills sharp and making the flight review more than just a biennial exercise in box-checking.

Aircraft Icing

Of all the dangers that weather can pose to aircraft, icing is arguably the most treacherous. Lurking unseen in innocent-looking clouds, ice can destroy lift, raise stall speeds and cause drag to skyrocket. Even aircraft on the ground are at risk: A seemingly insignificant layer of frost, snow or ice can so effectively degrade a wing's aerodynamic integrity that takeoff and climb become hazardous, or impossible. So serious is the danger that in December 2004 the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a nationwide alert to pilots.

Fuel Management

No one expects or intends to run out of fuel in flight. And yet, in the United States alone, an average of more than three accidents per week result from fuel exhaustion, starvation, or contamination. It can happen to you. Read on to learn more about avoiding these easily preventable accidents.

Operations at Towered Airports

Are you reaping all the benefits of flying? Although it's possible for a pilot to avoid towered airports, doing so impacts the flexibility and utility of flying. With the addition of Air Traffic Control requiring clearances and added communication, knowing and following the recommended procedures is essential. Whether you have radio jitters, confusion concerning clearances, or just want to learn more about operations at towered airports, this information can help.

Critical Airspace

Since September 11, 2001, the nation's airspace has become considerably more complex, and the penalties for careless mistakes are much more severe. Large Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) can pop up anywhere, anytime. East Coast pilots have to contend with the unique challenges of the Washington, D.C., Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). Border-crossing pilots need to be aware of the contiguous ADIZ. And, of course, there are plenty of restricted and prohibited areas out there, just waiting to snag the unwary.
Don't be the next pilot to make the 6 o'clock news! If you could use a refresher on the nuances of post-September 11 airspace, take some time to read this valuable information.

Operations at Nontowered Airports

Winter has finally moved on, leaving us with some beautiful flying weather. More and more pilots are coming out of hibernation and getting back into the air around nontowered airports. Don't let the common term for a nontowered airport (uncontrolled airport) lull you into thinking that anything goes. It's far safer to treat these airports as self-controlled by following the recommended procedures for nontowered airport operations.

Winter Preflight

Wintertime takeoffs with a frosted wing can be a drag. Literally. An almost-imperceptible layer of frost or snow can make your takeoff run just slightly longer than the runway available or your initial climb just a few feet lower than a 50-foot obstacle. In fact, a frost- or ice-contaminated wing can cause perils so severe that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) just issued an alert letter to all pilots.

Does your standard winter preflight include being "in touch" with your wing surface? Find out, with the resources provided by the AOPA Air Safety Foundation.

Flying Night VFR

Over well-lit terrain, VFR night flight is often a magical experience. But when ground lights are sparse, night VFR can easily become a challenge. This is certainly not to discourage appropriate night flight, which can be both beautiful and useful, but the night VFR accident record—as revealed by the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's GA accident database—clearly shows proportionately many more VFR accidents at night than during the day. Be sure to review the videos and articles and take the quizzes below. They'll help keep you proficient so you can enjoy night VFR.