Fast Five – December 9

1. Video Tip: Aircraft Inspections And ELT Requirements.

Airplanes are held to high standards when it comes to maintenance and inspection requirements. This week’s tip takes a look at the reason behind each inspection, how to verify they’ve been completed and the required paperwork is on the airplane. It also takes a look at why digital 406 MHz emergency locator transmitters (ELT) incorporate GPS to improve their performance.

2. Always A Student—Some Advice For Aspiring Professional Pilots.

On our way back to the building, the instructor asked, “How many hours have you got?” When I responded that I had “logged, five point two,” he remarked that he was envious. While I don’t feel that old, at this instructor’s age, I had zero flight time. And at well over a thousand hours in his logbook, he’s in fact way ahead of where I was.

3. Podcast: Flying Like A Pro In A Boeing And A Bonanza.

From F-16 to 737 to Citation to Bonanza, Don Wykoff has flown a lot of different airplanes in his 50-year flying career. In this episode he explains how he stayed safe by approaching every flight with professionalism, using checklists the right way, and building training into simple trips. He also talks about losing the engine in his F-16, why pilot rest rules matter, and how to transition back to GA after a career flying jets.

4. How To Fly A Perfect Soft Field Approach And Landing.

The objective when landing on these types of surfaces is to touch down as smoothly as possible and at the slowest possible landing speed—minimum controllable airspeed as opposed to a full stall landing. A pilot needs to control the airplane in a manner that the wings support the weight of the airplane as long as practical to minimize stresses imposed on the landing gear by a rough surface or to prevent sinking into a soft surface.

5. How To Listen To SiriusXM Radio In ForeFlight And Garmin Pilot.

Garmin's top-of-the-line portable weather receivers, the compact GDL 52\xa0and GDL 51, receive more than just GPS and weather. With an active SiriusXM subscription, pilots and passengers can also enjoy music and live sports in flight. Once you've configured all your devices, it's very easy to listen to SiriusXM Radio, but the first time you do it there are a few steps to follow.