AOPA marks its eightieth anniversary in 2019, and tocelebrate we’ve created a special, large-format, hardbound coffee-table book that documents both AOPA’s and general aviation’s rich history. More than 280 pages of stunning photography and compelling stories highlight airplanes and events in general aviation’s history, as well as a look at some of its key personalities through the decades. Born of the winds of World War II, AOPA was founded by visionaries determined to protect the freedom to fly. Read the inside stories of industry-changing political and advocacy wins in AOPA’s history. And learn about the battle that ensued over the creation of what would become AOPA Pilot magazine. Plus, see documents that have been held in trust and seen by no one in more than 30 years. Freedom to Fly: AOPA and the History of General Aviation in America is available to AOPA members at the special price of $39.95. The book is written by AOPA Pilot editors and features stunning photography by senior staff photographers Mike Fizer and Chris Rose, supported by amazing historic images from our archives and other sources. —Thomas A. Horne
ASI NEWS
Not sticking the landing?
Keep practicing
By Bob Knill
If you spend any time delving into the AOPA Air Safety Institute’s Accident Database, you may notice that landings continually give pilots problems. And it happens to pilots of all certificate levels and experience; high-time pilots tend to struggle with landings just as much as new pilots. These accidents, or often just incidents, can be quietly glossed over if no one is injured—outside of a bruised ego—and the airplane is not damaged. A gust of wind during the flare sends the airplane off the side of the runway. A slight tailwind combined with a fast approach speed sends the airplane off the end of the runway. An unstable approach ends with an airplane bouncing its way to the hangar. It happens all the time.
If you’re struggling with your landings, know that you’re not alone. Landings are a critical phase of flight, and the landing portion of any given flight (even a quick trip around the pattern) only accounts for a small percentage of time out of that particular flight. So, if you wanted to practice just your landings, you have to spend a large portion of your flight doing something other than landing.
Luckily, there are other ways to tackle this problem. The AOPA Air Safety Institute has a series of videos dedicated to takeoffs and landings, full of tips from instructors on how to consistently make better landings. You can watch the series online.
If your flight school or club has a flight simulator, you can sit and practice just the landing portion of flight with as many “resets” as you want. You can pause the sim to discuss various options with your instructor. Even chair flying, or visualization, can help. Professional athletes use visualization to enhance their game-time performance, so why shouldn’t pilots?
If you aspire to become a professional pilot, smooth, spot landings will be expected, so study everything about them that you can. There is no such thing as a perfect landing. Just perfect practice, no matter how it occurs.
Bob Knill is a writer on assignment with the AOPA Air Safety Institute.
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