Bird Strikes Hazards and Avoidance
By CarlValeri | January 15, 2009
Due to the recent accident of a US Airways jet landing in the Hudson River caused by a possible bird strike, I have decided to publish my presentation on Bird Strikes Hazards and Avoidance. You will need powerpoint to view the presentation.
http://www.expertaviator.com/images/BirdStrikesHazardsandAvoidance.ppt
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Topics: Bird Strikes, Safety | No Comments »
GIFT of Flight: An After Takeoff Checklist
By CarlValeri | July 9, 2008
A morning flight is truly a treat. The air is smooth and the the sun presents a spectacular natural light show, transitioning from an amber glow to a yellow beam of light. An anticipatory smile grew on my face as I woke one fall morning, expecting an exciting day of flying ahead.
This seemed a perfect morning for a flight lesson, with a clear blue sky above and calm winds. My student John is a quick study, and I was expecting to complete training for his complex endorsement on this day.
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Topics: Safety | 1 Comment »
Know Your Radar: Is that a thunderstorm ahead?
By CarlValeri | November 15, 2007
Flying towards Houston on a clear night, I sat reclined in my seat, watching the brilliant and sparkling cities slipping slowly under the aircraft. As I gazed through the front window, the area ahead appeared to me as a large black hole devoid of the familiar small dots, signifying civilization ahead . It was at this moment I remembered I should turn on the Radar to see what might be in the dark abyss ahead.
I was confident there would be no significant weather on our route of flight except for some light rain showers. Waiting for the radar to begin displaying, I turned to the mechanic in the jump seat. Enjoying the great weather along our route, we both agreed we disliked flying near or through thunderstorms.
I noticed a look of worry in his face as he lifted his hand and motioned towards the instrument panel. He seemed to turn slightly pale when he announced, “this doesn’t look good”. As the radar came to life a large round red blob displayed 100 miles ahead and over our destination. I could feel my heart rate increase. Did I not read the weather forecast properly?
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Topics: Radar, Safety | No Comments »
Professionals and Professionalism
By CarlValeri | October 25, 2007
I was enjoying my favorite form of relaxation, reclining at a small airport, viewing the sun setting in a grand showcase of blue sky and soft orange glow reflecting off wispy clouds. I lean against the chain link fence and watch the planes take their position on the runway. The pilots bring the power up to full throttle and the planes move slowly at first, gaining speed gradually. Within short order the airplane’s nose is pointed towards the sky, as if asking the wind to assist the human engineered bird to fly. Slowly the plane separates from the ground and becomes a part of the sky above. I envision myself in the cockpit, enjoying the feeling of escaping the grasp of earth’s gravity.
Watching planes during this lazy summer day, I notice a friend approaching me with one of his student pilots. His wide grin I interpreted as his shared joy in being at an airport. He gave me a friendly hello and strong handshake. Turning to his student he introduced me as a professional pilot flying for the airlines.
My friend and I agreed as to the beauty of the day, all the while relating how blessed we are in being able to enjoying the wonders of flight. After discussing different landing techniques, my friend and his student returned to their aircraft to finish their discussion. I began pondering my friends description of me as a professional, all the while hoping he further considered himself a professional. I then considered the question, “what is a professional?”
Topics: Professionalism | No Comments »
The Jet Age Transforms the world for the Baby Boomers
By CarlValeri | October 2, 2007
Slouched over my coffee, the morning fog in my mind had not lifted, I held the warm cup in both hands helping extract the heat. Raising my eyes, slowly focusing on the television, a 747 jumbo lumbering into the sky came into focus. As always, a plane on television was a greater boost to my state of awareness than the caffeine in my coffee.
Luckily, I caught the beginning of an episode from The History Channel’s Our Generation titled “Fly With Me”. This is one part in the The History Channel’s Our Generation series, depicting life changing events of the baby boomer generation.
Topics: History | No Comments »
Saving historic centers of commerce and recreation.
By CarlValeri | September 28, 2007
As a child the sound of an airplane made me stop and look skyward wondering how the plane can stay aloft without flapping its wings. As an adult I find myself looking at the passing planes but with more insight into the physics involved in keeping these sleek machines aloft. Growing up in Basking Ridge, New Jersey I would ride my bicycle to Somerset Hills Airport and watch the wonders of flight take place before my youthful eyes. Mesmerized by the planes taking off and landing I would pretend I was the pilot at the controls and make airplane sounds while watching. The planes departures and arrivals reminded me of the Canadian Geese I would watch while walking through the Great Swamp located next to the airport. Most days I would daydream and wonder what direction the planes where traveling and what new discoveries they would find flying to their destination. Unfortunately, the airport was demolished and condominiums grew from the paved runway which once housed small aircraft of all shapes and colors. My childish mind assumed the planes moved on to other airports similar to birds finding a new nest when their old habitat is destroyed by a predator.
Topics: Save our Airports | No Comments »
Temporary Flight Restrictions: How to Keep Yourself and your license.
By CarlValeri | September 27, 2007
If you are like me and enjoy hanging around small airports you tend to see the same familiar faces. Many enjoy visiting the airport for some “hanger flying” , while others use any excuse to jump in a plane and fly somewhere for the “hundred dollar hamburger”. One day I noticed that a friend of mine was missing from the normal airport crowd.I had become friends with a student who had been flying with me. We spent many hours flying and discovering new places to visit while fulfilling his obligation to the insurance company of a minimum 25 hours in the aircraft before flying solo in his new plane.
Topics: Regulations, Temporary Flight Restrictions | No Comments »
Learn to Fly Newsletter: Reach For the Sky
By CarlValeri | September 26, 2007
I love flying because I enjoy the people I meet, the places I visit, the amazing sites only seen from the air, and the sense of freedom I get while flying like a bird through the sky. I know many of you are thinking of becoming a pilot or know someone who has an interest in flying. There is an outstanding new resource in the form of free e-newsletter from the Experimental Aircraft Association, Reach For The Sky.
Topics: Learn To Fly | 1 Comment »
When ATC Asks: “What’s Your Equipment Suffix?”
By CarlValeri | September 22, 2007
For the past few years of flying, I have relied on a dispatcher to file my flight plan and provide the required information to the FAA. Recently, a failure of equipment on my aircraft required me to fly in the Non RVSM airspace at or below FL290. When the controller asked “what’s your new equipment suffix?”, the First Officer turned to me with a puzzled look. With a blank stare followed by shrugging of shoulders I responded to his implied question with, “let’s look it up”.
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Topics: Air Traffic Control, Regulations | No Comments »
Airport Delays: Who is to Blame?
By CarlValeri | September 19, 2007
Assigned seat 15B and squashed between two large men, you are tired, uncomfortable, and getting frustrated because weather is causing your vacation to be shortened. Why can’t the planes just fly around the weather and then to your destination? You watched the weather channel and noticed the only rain is a small area of storms one hundred miles south of the airport. The captain then announces air traffic control is anticipating 90 minutes before they will begin allowing departures. In harmony with the passengers around you let out a sigh of frustration.
What is causing this delay since you know there is only a small area of weather? You have watch television and are aware of the congestion and delays these days, but who is to blame?
Topics: Airspace | No Comments »