Tim Haidinger’s “Flight Lesson: Second Solo Spin” (March 2015 Flight Training) lacked some editing, or at least a disclaimer pointing out items that go contrary to basic CFI responsibilities: What CFI would send a student to practice stalls without discussing stall/spin awareness and recovery?
Several years back a CFI working for the flight school where I learned to fly did the same thing with a student in a 150 with dire results: They both perished when the wings folded back attempting a loop.
I would hope that no one who read this article goes on to try aerobatics in an aircraft without an aerobatic certificate.
Malcolm Lenson
Vacaville, California
The Flight Lesson section is written by readers with only minor editing to conform to our style. We typically don't take out points that might seem contrary to safety, in part because the story is meant to convey one pilot's viewpoint, poor choices and all. In doing so, we hope readers can learn from others' mistakes. —Ed.
Cold weather fun
In “After the Checkride: Cold Weather Fun” (February 2015 Flight Training), it is recommended a pilot have a carbon monoxide detector (very good idea) or a pulse oximeter (very bad idea) on board. As most pilots know, carbon monoxide poisons the body (aka anemic hypoxia). Pilots should know that a pulse oximeter only measures hemoglobin saturation in the blood and the pulse oximeter cannot tell the difference between hemoglobin saturated with oxygen and hemoglobin saturated with carbon monoxide. Therefore, a pilot could be dangerously exposed to carbon monoxide and still have a normal pulse oximeter reading (99 percent to 100 percent). For that reason, a responsible pilot should definitely invest in a carbon monoxide detector for measuring carbon monoxide levels on the flight deck. If the carbon monoxide detector alarms, the prudent pilot should assume he has been exposed to carbon monoxide and ventilate the cabin.
Dr. Greg Stewart
Stratford, Ontario, Canada
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