Vector Online - Page 5, In category Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism

Read our special 'online' Vector stories here. Some are unique to the website, and some have featured in print issues of Vector.

Note: This archive dates back to 2015. So, the advice in some of the earlier articles may have changed.

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A chat with the Young Eagles

What is a ‘Young Eagle’? Right now, there are about 350 of them, in 17 aero clubs around New Zealand. Most are between 14 and 18 years of age and they’re made of tough stuff. Many of them work multiple jobs, often at minimum wage, to fund their flying lessons, while also studying at secondary school or university. And they frequently go without many of the things that teens love to do or possess, in order to fly.

Posted in Instruction instructors and training, Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism, Audio articles;

Posted 2 years ago

VFR into IMC

With VFR-IMC being consistently one of the top 10 causes of aviation accidents worldwide, new research is taking a fresh look at pilot decision-making.

Happy landings

A stressless landing is way more likely if you monitor the advisory lights and fly a 3-degree approach. Read the articleHappy landings

Low flying over West Melton

Pilots approaching Christchurch or taking their time to gain height on leaving should not be relying on the takeoff and departure exception to rule 91. 311.

Posted in Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism;

Posted 3 years ago

Lookout

Lookout is one of the most important skills – if not the most important skill – a VFR pilot can master, particularly in the circuit. It sounds deceptively simple but there’s a whole heap of skills that go into looking out effectively. Listen to four of the country’s most experienced instructors talk about how to do a good lookout, in this Vector Online audio article, “Why a good lookout is so critical”.

Engage the brain. Slow down. Zig-zag.

Taildraggers figure high in the stats for ground occurrences. Read the articleEngage the brain. Slow down. Zig-zag.

Posted in Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism;

Posted 3 years ago

Currency and competency

As pilots climb back into the cockpit this summer, some of them won’t have flown for many months. If you suspect some of your flying skills may have been dulled by such a break, consider a dual flight with an instructor, before your summer flying takes off. Listen to this Vector Online article, ‘Currency and competency’ as to why a dual flight is so important. There’s information there for instructors and aero clubs as well as for pilots.

Posted in Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism, Audio articles;

Posted 3 years ago

Stall recovery and minimising height loss

A heads-up that the way students learn to minimise height loss during stall recovery could give them grief if they decide to apply to the airlines.

Posted in Instruction instructors and training, Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism;

Posted 4 years ago

Isolated and vulnerable

Two fatal accidents in 2017 highlight the critical need for low-hour pilots to ‘hang out at the club’ getting much-needed guidance from older, wiser flyers.

Posted in Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism;

Posted 4 years ago

The take-off that approached disaster

This story from the archives shows how even an experienced and skilled pilot can become complacent. Read the articleThe take-off that approached disaster

Posted in Health and human factors, Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism;

Posted 5 years ago

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