They Have An Aviation School For High School Students Here….

They will teach them to fly small planes by their junior year. Just something else to think and worry about when I see small planes from the airport flying over this neighborhood. One of the boy’s friends is enrolled this year and he’s only 14.

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

SethGreene531 · M

Starting them early will go a long way to making basics second nature. Such as stable approaches; traffic pattern mgmt. and entry; the relationship between power, attitude, pitch, and trim; and solid airmanship. While referencing exterior visual cues alone.

The sooner that becomes natural, the easier their coming module of instrument flying will be.

Most of the junior air cadets begin at 14 or 16 and graduate top of their class. Demonstrating a high level of decision making and general airmanship. The transition to solo phase is well monitored and has a high degree of safety checks and balances to ensure a cadet capable.

LOL I do understand the trepidation of homeowners below, nervously eyeing the ceiling plaster.

cherokeepatti · 61-69, F

@SethGreene531 I knew a couple who had a plane land in the empty lot next to their home. So yeah being in the flight path is something to be concerned about.

SethGreene531 · M

@cherokeepatti[media=https://youtu.be/81Zzut8G9h0]

It can happen. An engine failure, or poor fuel management will do it. An unfamiliar approach, or bad weather. The tendency to fly in conditions beyond your skill set is a killer.

Sometimes simply not taking time to orient yourself with suitable fields or roads as emergency alternates.

Prior planning, and taking action preemptively is key. Rather than attempting to nurse an obviously troubled aircraft to an airfield you won't make. Go to your alternate, or pick your forced landing pasture and procedure that should have been reviewed.

Unlike a car, there's no pulling over.

"If there's any doubt, there's no doubt." At that point the decision to fly or press onward should be a no-go.

cherokeepatti · 61-69, F

@SethGreene531 the weather is a huge factor, strong winds and storms are common here.

SethGreene531 · M

@cherokeepatti
Weather's always the deciding factor to go or scrub a flight.
Particularly in the Midwest, esp. OK/AR.

Take American 1420 at Little Rock for example. --1999
One of the disasters forcing windshear detection systems be installed at many airports.

https://simpleflying.com/american-airlines-flight-1420-crash/

Sudden storms and Microbursts, with strong downdrafts, and windshear are deadly. Especially if you're at low altitude--on final approach, and your throttle is at or near idle. This reduced Performance Windshear can happen on drafty sunny days also. Trading a headwind and its lift, to a tailwind, as the bottom drops out of your altitude 150 ft from the runway threshold. A fight to make up the sudden loss of airspeed = altitude, in a small piston engine plane; but deadly in a jet or turboprop whose engine needs a lag time of 15-30 seconds to respond to sudden power commands.