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Page de couverture de Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation News

Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation News

Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation News

Auteur(s): Max Trescott | Aviation News Talk Network
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 40 yrs of experience - GA News, safety tips, IFR & technology Aviation News Talk is a podcast focused on General Aviation news, general tips for pilots, technical details on glass cockpits and flying GPS approaches, and an occasional interview. I bring over 40 years of piloting experience to the show to teach pilots and future pilots to fly safely and to answer listener questions.Glass Cockpit Publishing 2023 Politique
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  • 409 Statesville Citation 550 Crash (Greg Biffle): New ADS-B Clue & Rain-Induced Illusions

    409 Statesville Citation 550 Crash (Greg Biffle): New ADS-B Clue & Rain-Induced Illusions
    Dec 30 2025
    Max talks with host Scott Hamilton of WBT, Charlotte's News Talk radio, about the Statesville, North Carolina Citation 550 crash that killed NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and six others, then expands the conversation with a fresh technical finding and a practical training takeaway for pilots. While preparing for the short radio interview, Max revisited the ADS-B track and noticed something he hadn't seen anyone else write about: the altitude anomaly isn't merely a "jump," it's an impossible spike. The key number is stark. The ADS-B data shows a reported climb of 1,374 feet in 1.64 seconds, which implies a climb rate of almost 50,000 feet per minute—a rate that doesn't make sense for a Citation. Max's point is that this isn't a real aircraft maneuver; it's a data or sensor-path artifact. What makes it more compelling is what happens immediately beforehand: for 34 seconds, there were 14 ADS-B transmissions in a row with the exact same reported altitude. That kind of perfectly flat series is abnormal even if an aircraft is "steady," because pressure altitude reporting typically wiggles at least a little from sample to sample. Max lays out a simple, pilot-intuitive interpretation: the aircraft was likely climbing normally, but the altitude value feeding ADS-B froze for about 34 seconds and then unfroze, "catching up" in one big correction. If you treat that 1,374-foot change as occurring across the 34-second freeze rather than across 1.64 seconds, you get a climb rate around 2,200 fpm—entirely plausible for a departing Citation. About 20 seconds after the correction, the aircraft turned back toward the airport. Max also notes there is audio where a pilot announces on CTAF they are returning because they were "having issues," and he believes those "issues" were likely altimeter/altitude-related rather than a direct cause of the crash. From there, he turns the discussion into something useful for any pilot: how altitude gets measured, encoded, and transmitted—and what kinds of failures can create misleading outputs. In the Citation 550, there are multiple static ports feeding pilot-side and copilot-side instruments, plus potentially additional static sources feeding backups. Depending on the configuration, ADS-B altitude can be sourced through a blind encoder tied to the static system, an air data computer, or an encoding ("coding") altimeter common in older round-gauge aircraft. The operational point: pilots might see one thing on their instruments while the transmitted pressure altitude shows something else—or the opposite—depending on where the fault lives. Max then shifts to the accident sequence on return. Regardless of what prompted the turnback, he argues the crash itself likely occurred on short final for a different reason: visual illusions in rain and degraded visibility. The aircraft struck the approach lighting system short of the runway threshold, which is exactly the kind of outcome that can happen when pilots subtly, unknowingly fly a shallow or low path while "going visual." He emphasizes that we don't yet know the cause with certainty, but absent evidence of an engine failure on short final, illusions are a credible explanatory bucket—and one pilots can learn from immediately. The primary illusion he highlights is water refraction. Rain on the windshield can make the horizon appear lower than it is, which creates the sensation of being higher than you really are—leading to an unconscious nose-down correction and a lower-than-intended glidepath. He also cites guidance that rain, mist, and limited slant visibility reduce and distort visual cues during the instrument-to-visual transition, exactly when pilots are most vulnerable to subtle errors. These effects are also documented in Flight Safety Foundation's ALAR "Visual Illusions" briefing note, which specifically calls out rain-on-windshield refraction and the way rain can change the apparent intensity/brilliance of approach lighting. Max closes with a concrete "do this next time" list. First, if you accept a visual in marginal conditions, load the ILS and use it to back up the visual—it would have shown a low path before contact with approach lights. Second, he discusses a tech-forward defense: using Garmin visual approaches (the NTSB recovered a Garmin GTN 750 from the wreckage) and tools like Pathways in synthetic vision to help maintain a stable vertical picture. But he adds a blunt warning that pilots routinely get wrong: Garmin visual approaches do not guarantee terrain clearance, and in hilly terrain or limited visibility they can route you into terrain unless you've validated them in good conditions. The takeaway is simple: when your eyes can lie, disciplined cross-checking—and knowing the limitations of your tools—is what keeps you off the lights and on a safe path to the runway. If you're getting value from this show, please support the show via PayPal, Venmo, Zelle or Patreon. Support the ...
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    41 min
  • 408 Aerobatic Training for Pilots: How Upset Recovery Prevents Loss of Control — Dr. Catherine Cavagnaro

    408 Aerobatic Training for Pilots: How Upset Recovery Prevents Loss of Control — Dr. Catherine Cavagnaro
    Dec 20 2025
    Max talks with Dr. Catherine Cavagnaro about how aerobatic training builds safer, more confident pilots by reducing loss of control, improving stall and spin awareness, and shortening the startle response. Although many pilots associate aerobatics with airshows or extreme flying, this conversation reframes aerobatic training as a practical safety tool that directly applies to everyday general aviation operations. Catherine explains that the core value of aerobatic training lies in learning where "the edge" of aircraft control really is. Many pilots are taught to avoid stalls and spins at all costs, which can unintentionally create fear rather than understanding. Aerobatic training deliberately takes pilots past that edge in a controlled environment so they can see, feel, and understand what happens beyond it. Once pilots truly understand where that boundary lies, they are far better equipped to avoid unintentionally crossing it during normal flight. A major theme of the discussion is loss of control, which remains one of the leading causes of fatal aviation accidents. Catherine describes how many loss-of-control events are not caused by a lack of knowledge, but by startle response and improper control inputs under stress. When something unexpected happens—such as an uncommanded roll, a botched go-around, or a developing stall—pilots often freeze for several seconds or react instinctively in exactly the wrong way. Aerobatic and upset-recovery training helps shorten those "extended dumb moments" by making unusual attitudes familiar rather than frightening. Catherine shares real-world examples from her experience as a Designated Pilot Examiner. In one case, a commercial pilot applicant mishandled a power-off stall by applying aileron instead of reducing angle of attack, which aggressively drove the aircraft into a spin. The pilot then added power while still stalled, compounding the problem. Catherine explains that this reaction mirrors what has been seen in fatal airline accidents, where pilots pulled back and applied aileron during stall events instead of pushing forward. These moments highlight why understanding stalls, spins, and proper recovery techniques is essential well beyond the private pilot level. A key technical takeaway from the episode is the importance of angle of attack. Catherine emphasizes that losing directional control is a clear sign of an impending stall, and that rudder alone is often insufficient to stop a departure once it begins. Simply pushing forward on the controls—reducing angle of attack—can immediately end the event. Aerobatic training reinforces this lesson repeatedly, helping pilots build instinctive, correct responses rather than relying on rote memorization. The conversation also explores how control authority changes with airspeed. Catherine explains that pilots tend to be overly gentle on the controls when flying slowly, particularly near the ground during takeoff and landing. Ironically, that is precisely when larger, more deliberate control inputs are required. Aerobatic maneuvers such as loops, rolls, and Immelmann turns vividly demonstrate how sluggish controls become at low airspeeds and high angles of attack, making these lessons stick in a way that textbooks cannot. Max and Catherine discuss how aerobatic training is structured at her school. Rather than offering single "thrill ride" flights, Catherine teaches aerobatics as a multi-day course that includes extensive ground instruction before every flight. This ensures pilots understand exactly what will happen before experiencing it in the air. The goal is not to impress or intimidate, but to build confidence, predictability, and mastery. Students perform most of the flying themselves, which further reinforces learning and reduces anxiety. Another practical aspect of the episode focuses on managing motion sickness. Catherine shares wisdom passed down from aerobatic legend Bill Kershner, including the stages of nausea—Normal, Not So Much Fun Anymore, Sweat on Upper Lip, and the point of no return. Recognizing these stages early allows instructors to intervene before discomfort escalates. Simple strategies such as eating light meals beforehand, keeping airflow on the face, tensing abdominal muscles during high-G maneuvers, and ensuring students have their hands on the controls can make a significant difference. The discussion also touches on upset-recovery checklists used in airline training, such as "Push, Roll, Power, Stabilize." Catherine notes that while these checklists are effective, pilots must practice the full sequence under stress. Knowing only the first step—pushing forward—without following through can leave an aircraft in an equally dangerous situation. Aerobatic training provides the repetition needed to execute these steps smoothly and correctly when it matters most. Ultimately, the episode makes a compelling case that aerobatic training is not about becoming an ...
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    57 min
  • 407 Starting a Flight School with The Flight Academy

    407 Starting a Flight School with The Flight Academy
    Dec 12 2025
    Max talks with John Fiscus, co-founder of The Flight Academy, and Director of Operations Jordan Ming to break down how one of the country's most respected Cirrus-focused training organizations was created, expanded, and refined over more than two decades. Whether you're an instructor considering the entrepreneurial leap, a pilot curious about how flight training businesses operate, or someone fascinated by the evolution of modern GA training, this conversation delivers clear, practical insights rooted in real experience. John opens with the origin story behind The Flight Academy—one shaped unexpectedly by the aftermath of 9/11. Before starting the company, John was an instructor and corporate pilot for Cirrus Aircraft, preparing for an airline career. When airline hiring collapsed overnight, he and colleague Luke realized they could not compete with furloughed, highly experienced pilots suddenly entering the market. But they also saw a growing demand: Cirrus owners nationwide needed instructors who truly understood their aircraft. Many local CFIs didn't yet have the expertise or avionics familiarity that early-generation Cirrus owners required. That gap created an opportunity. Instead of opening a traditional flight school with airplanes and an office, John and Luke launched The Flight Academy in 2002 with a completely different model. They owned no airplanes, no local training fleet, and no physical facility. Instead, they traveled around the country teaching owners in their own Cirrus aircraft. This approach dramatically reduced overhead while giving customers access to specialized training. What seemed unconventional at the time turned out to be the ideal way to enter the market, and demand steadily grew. As the business matured, the founders recognized the need for a home base and added a small office at Boeing Field. Eventually, they purchased their first aircraft—not a leaseback, but a nearly new Cirrus that offered strong depreciation benefits and made financial sense for the business. Today the school operates 13 aircraft across two locations—Seattle and the Portland area—supported by eight to ten instructors, depending on season and demand. About 70–80% of all hours flown at The Flight Academy are dual instruction, a reflection of their focus on high-quality training rather than simple aircraft rental volume. Jordan explains that this training-centric model shapes everything about how the business operates. The Flight Academy books training in full-day or half-day blocks, giving instructors and clients the freedom to adapt to weather, focus on deep learning, and avoid the churn of hourly scheduling. Their instructors also spend significant time traveling to clients, giving them a unique range of experience compared to CFIs who fly the same local routes every day. Many instructors make multiple coast-to-coast flights before reaching the airlines, which sets them apart in both skill and confidence. Beyond daily training, the school has diversified its business through multiple complementary revenue streams. John describes their history of Atlantic ferry flights, delivering both new and pre-owned Cirrus aircraft to Europe. He also recounts the dramatic ferry incident—captured on video—in which a malfunctioning transfer tank forced a ferry pilot to deploy the Cirrus parachute into the Pacific. That experience eventually led the team to discontinue Pacific ferrying, though they continue to complete many Atlantic deliveries. Another major offering is their Vision Jet program, which includes discovery flights, pre-type-rating preparation, and training support. Luke also works with Arista to support the Vision Jet pre-owned market, creating a powerful ecosystem that blends aircraft sales, owner transitions, and specialized instruction. Jordan emphasizes that this interlocking structure allows the team to provide a seamless experience for owners, from first flight through long-term advanced training. Perhaps the most distinctive part of The Flight Academy's identity is their adventure trips—all-inclusive guided flying experiences to destinations such as Alaska, Morocco, the Caribbean, Europe, and New England during fall foliage season. These trips sell out consistently and create long-lasting friendships among participating owners. Jordan notes that many pilots appreciate having experts plan the hotels, customs logistics, activities, and daily flight legs—allowing them to simply enjoy the journey and the aircraft. When it comes to hiring CFIs, John is clear: "We don't hire pilots. We hire teachers." A strong instructor mindset matters more than flight time or ratings. He looks for individuals who demonstrate genuine interest in the business, a thoughtful approach to training, and the professionalism needed to work with sophisticated clients. He also shares hard-earned lessons about policies, cancellations, contracts, and pricing—key areas where many new flight school ...
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    54 min
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