Preflight

Demonstrations are strongly discouraged

Although the number of runway incursions continues to trend down--according to the most recent FAA data available, reported runway incursions dropped 27 percent from fiscal year 2004 to FY 2005, and incursions caused by pilot errors decreased by 11 percent--they continue to be a subject of concern in aviation. If you have not yet learned about runway incursions in your flight training, this is any occurrence at an airport involving an aircraft, vehicle, person, or object on the ground that creates a collision hazard or results in loss of separation with an aircraft taking off, intending to take off, landing, or intending to land.

Training in runway incursion prevention often focuses on a too-frequent pilot error: crossing runway hold-short lines without permission. But there are other ways to get into trouble. In "Insights: Runway Incursions" (p. 58), Ralph Butcher talks about failure to clear the runway as instructed. That's right; if you taxi off the runway but stop before you clear the hold-short line, the airplane landing behind you might have to go around. Be aware of where you are--and make certain you're completely clear of the runway area.

Butcher recommends FAA Advisory Circular 91-73A, Part 91 and Part 135 Single-Pilot Procedures During Taxi Operations. If you're not familiar with this excellent resource, download it today from AOPA Online.

Although the FAA only counts incursions at airports with control towers, incursion avoidance is just as important at nontowered airports. In "Night Fright" (p. 61), Joe Clark describes his surprise to discover an airplane taxiing across the active runway at a private airfield--with all of its lights off! His experience shows us why we should always follow the rules, even if we don't think our actions will affect anyone else.

Is your practical test on the horizon? A runway incursion during your checkride is a guaranteed pink slip. But there are other common pitfalls, which Dale Smith addresses in "Gotcha!" (p. 30). He talks with a number of designated pilot examiners, and summarizes some recurring causes of flight-test failures. Many of them are easily avoided.

But knowing what to avoid only does half the job. In "Checkride: Safe, Legal, Smooth, and Standard" (p. 43), columnist Dave Wilkerson--a designated pilot examiner himself--offers a four-step plan for passing your practical test. If you train to be safe, first and foremost; legal as a matter of course; and smooth as a mark of professionalism, Wilkinson writes, the standards will take care of themselves.

As a photojournalist and former newspaper photographer who is privileged to take some of the photos used in AOPA's magazines, I've spent a lot of time behind the lens. I recently returned from the annual symposium of the International Society of Aviation Photographers. Just as certificated pilots must receive flight reviews every two years to remain current, events like the ISAP symposium provide recurrent training for our professional skills.

Aviation photography, like flying itself, tends to be a solitary activity. Once your flight instructor gets out of the aircraft--whether for your solo flights or after you've earned a pilot certificate--you'll probably be the only pilot aboard. Shooting air-to-air photos of an aircraft in flight, like those that you see in the pages of this magazine, involves other people--two pilots at the very least--but, it's easy to get lost in the moment and feel as if you're alone. It's always educational and inspirational to spend time with peers in such a collaborative environment.

Are you a bit of an aviation photographer yourself? You may want to enter the AOPA Pilot 2006 Aviation Photo Contest. Conducted by our sister magazine, the contest ends September 1; professional photographers are not eligible to participate. Visit the Web site to see the complete rules, view winning photos selected so far, or submit your own entries.

E-mail Mike Collins, editor of AOPA Flight Training.