Posted May 15th, 2012

Scenario Based Training, also known as SBT, provides pilots with real-world experiences that prepare them for the range of possibilities they may experience before, during and after a flight. This is especially advantageous for pilots who plan on flying small planes professionally. There is no telling what your client may want or need, or what kinds of conditions or obstacles you will face. Plus, while piloting a small plane, there won’t be a crew there to assist you. The following SBT lesson example should give you an idea of what a pilot undergoes during this type of training.

Photo Shoot Scenario

SBT lessons are interactive exercises that are meant to replicate a real-life situation. With the oversight of a live instructor, the student makes decisions and gets feedback so they can continue to improve. The student might be given a scenario like the following:

• Pick up a photographer at the Long Beach Airport
• Get the photographer to the Queen Mary in Los Angeles by 1 p.m.
• Drop the photographer off at the Orange County airport after the photo session
• Fly home to Montgomery Field in San Diego by 3:15 p.m.

Students faced with this scenario must decide when they will leave San Diego to fly to the Long Beach Airport, pick up the photographer and get him or her to the Queen Mary by 1 p.m. They will need to look at the weather, study the flight plan, calculate the weight and balance of the plane, and access airport information for both Long Beach and Orange County. Students may also coordinate with Air Traffic Control and/or look up pictures of the Queen Mary on Google Earth, and make sure the weather will be amenable to the photo shoot.

Below is a sample of this lesson.  The pilot is given site locations and then the photographer is taken in flight, you can see actual results from a recent flight lesson.

Scenario Based Training, as in the example above, gives students a strong sense of accomplishment and confidence. This is just one example of the kinds of real-world experiences to which SBT lessons can introduce pilots.

Posted May 1st, 2012

Valuable Training for Right-Seaters and Passengers

No matter how talented or experienced a pilot is, there is still a great need for him or her to have an alert and knowledgeable partner in command. There is always the possibility that the pilot could become incapacitated or overwhelmed during a flight due to unforeseen, dangerous weather conditions or other complications. No matter what problem arises, it is the right-seater’s duty to ensure that the other passengers and airplane are kept safe if the pilot is no longer able to do so.

The duties and necessary skills of the right-seater are more than meet they eye. For example, does he/she know what to say on a radio, or even how to operate one? How to find and activate the ELT from the right seat? Does he or she have first aid or medical training, including experience dealing with choking victims, hypoxia, carbon monoxide exposure and other flight-relevant issues? Is he or she familiar with how to steer to a CAPS-suitable area using autopilot?

For the answer to all of these questions and many more, Partner in Command training can be of invaluable assistance to any right-seater, or even a passenger. Non-pilot companions who frequently sit next to the pilot, such as spouses or other loved ones, could benefit especially from this training. It is designed to make these frequent flyers more at ease in the aircraft, teach them how to be an active participant in the flight as a resource to the pilot, and explain the availability and use of safety equipment in an emergency, including the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS).

A few ways in which the partner in command can be of assistance include:

• Assisting in the general safety needs of the captain, himself/herself and the passengers.
• Acting as an extra pair of eyes to watch for bad weather, traffic or other hazards, while also assisting in radio communication and direction.
• Helping passengers in the event of an emergency, and offering emergency parachute assistance in case the pilot is unable to do so.

In addition to our course for partners in command, Coast Flight Training offers an introductory course to help passengers excel in their ability to help. This course covers:

• Basic pilot skills

-       Introduction to radio communications

-       Cockpit resource management

-       Flight maneuvers

• Familiarization with the Cirrus equipment

-       Systems operation

-       GPS use, how to find useful information and autopilot management

-       Procedures for getting help and deploying the CAPS

• Emergency procedures in the event of pilot incapacitation

In certain cases, learning what is available in these courses can mean the difference between life and death. The decision to take one of these extremely helpful courses is a no-brainer!

Posted April 6th, 2012

Sedona is the prime Spring time destination to include in your flight training. Weather is always great for flying there, but in April, the average is about 72 degrees. Perfect to enjoy all that Sedona has to offer outdoors. Golfing, hiking, camping, or horseback riding just to name a few. Desert sky is always beautiful at night as well for start gazing.

Getting there is half the fun.  You will fly over mountains, valleys and deserts getting to see it all.  You will not be bored with the scenery as it will continue to change as you fly along through all different types of topography.  Once you land at KSEZ, the adventure continues.  There are 18 golf courses, countless hiking trails and mystic caves in the famous Red Rock State Park.  There are numerous other National and State Parks with camping, hiking, horseback riding, and any other activity you could want.  When night falls, gaze up at Saturn and Mars at the Tours of the Universe.  Stargzing at it’s best is found in Sedona since it is situated far from any major city and has the clear Northern Arizona Sky.

Sedona is perfect for romantic weekend getaway, overnight business trip, or a buddies golf trip.  Being so close, yet secluded, you can go there and back the same day while getting your relaxation and out of town feeling.

Posted March 15th, 2012

AirVenture 2012 may still be months away, but it’s never too early to start looking ahead and planning for this annual weeklong event. The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) puts on the event for one week every summer, attracting more than half a million people to the Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. At least 10,000 of the attendees arrive directly at the airport in their own planes, making it one of the busiest airports in the world for the week. More than 60 countries are represented, including members of the association as well as non-member aviation fanatics from the world over. It is a special time for seasoned pilots and novices alike to meet, mingle, reunite with old friends and celebrate their love of flight.

Attractions to Look Forward to at AirVenture 2012

This June, Oshkosh, Wisconsin will again be home to the biggest celebration of all things aviation. The event is sure to have some unique new attractions and activities this year, as well as some time-tested favorites. There are special themes, displays and activities that make every year of AirVenture a new experience. Here is a taste of what attendees can expect this year:
• 50th anniversary of the Dyke Delta aircraft
• 60th anniversary of AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin
• 75th anniversary of the Piper Cub
• 100th anniversary of the flying boat
• 2,500 show planes and more than 10,000 aircraft, including homebuilt planes, ultra-light planes, vintage planes and war birds, many of which are one of a kind
• Cirrus’ annual special release of new plane features and aircraft models
• Competition for short landings and takeoffs
• Entertainment in the evenings
• Info about the advances in electric aircraft
• KidVenture and other family-friendly activities for all ages
• Learn-to-Fly activities
• Special appearance by George Lucas to introduce “Red Tails,” his film about the Tuskegee Airmen
• Tribute to Van’s Aircraft Founder Richard VanGrunsven
• World-class air shows every day

AirVenture is known as “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” for good reason. With such a sizeable level of international attendance and diverse range of events and attractions, many people look forward to it as the highlight of their year. Now that the weeklong event is celebrating its 60th anniversary, it is an especially good time to make this an annual tradition.
Hotels book up well in advance over the whole area, not just in Oshkosh. So be sure to start reserving your rooms by spring.

Posted March 1st, 2012

New Additions to the Cirrus SR22 for 2012

The Cirrus SR22 is known as the flagship aircraft from this leading manufacturer of small planes in the United States. The SR22 is seeing some exciting new additions this year, including extra seating, new appearance packages, an enhanced onboard satellite telephone system and a fully integrated communication system. It looks like 2012 is a great year to be flying one of these sleek single-engine planes.

Seating for Five

The SR22 has historically been a four-seater, but now Cirrus is offering “60/40 FlexSeating” in the back that allows for one additional person to sit comfortably. Optional seat belts also provide customized seating for one adult and two children in the rear seat. The new seating system weighs 10 pounds less than its predecessor, despite its increased capacity.

Appearance Packages

Cirrus has classed up its appearance packages to provide a sense of luxury, sophistication and style in the cockpit and rear. New appearance options range from the classic style of the Platinum Package to the modern Carbon Package, inspired by the adrenaline of flight.

New Satellite Telephone System

The on-board satellite telephone system now available for Cirrus SR22s enables both voice calls and text messaging during flights, as well as worldwide weather radar coverage. Pilots can use the same keypad that they program the GPS with to type and send text messages, making communication from the cockpit a breeze. The option is now being included as a way for passengers to stay connected en route, which is especially pertinent to business travelers, according to Matt Bergwall of Cirrus.

Perspective Global Connect™

This new communication technology for the SR22 allows pilots to communicate like never before. Having this fully integrated communication system within easy reach allows pilots to see worldwide weather reports with graphics on a screen right in front of them. The system also includes a satellite phone from Iridium® Communications that allows text messaging through the MFD and group or private calls through headsets in the cabin.

Posted February 15th, 2012

In the coming weeks, pilots can expect to see mountain waves in several snowy, mountainous regions. When wind flow is perpendicular to a mountain, as the wind velocity and altitude increase during an inversion below 15,000 feet, or a stable air mass layer aloft, mountain waves will occur. These atmospheric disturbances are characterized by lenticular clouds that alert pilots to their potentially deadly presence. It’s possible to predict mountain waves and other atmospheric disturbances with a high level of accuracy, though, giving pilots a chance to decide whether or not to fly under such conditions.

How to Check for Weather Conditions Before and During Your Flight
There are a couple of ways to check the weather for disturbances such as mountain waves before you fly, mainly through observations and weather forecasts. There are also online weather resources, including the Aviation Weather Center and DUATS.

Observations:
• Metar – Airman’s meteorological reports
• Radar Summary Charts – Reports showing analyses of precipitation surface with cold fronts, warm fronts and areas of high or low pressure
• Surface Analysis Reports – Focus on areas of high or low pressure, as well as cold or warm fronts
• U.A. – Real-time reports from fellow pilots (recommended)

Weather Forecasts:
• 12/24-Hour Prognostic Reports – Show where cold fronts, warm fronts and areas of high or low pressure are going to move
• F.A. – Explains reasons for weather forecasts in different areas
• TAF’s Terminal Aerodrome Report – Provides expected future weather for area surrounding airports (not available for all airports)

Deciding Whether or Not to Fly – Know Before You Go
In addition to mountains waves, thunderstorms are also a serious danger to pilots during this time of year. You should always be ready to change your plans or land if you’re presented with scattered storms, as the pilot did on a recent SR22 flight from San Diego, CA to Sarasota, FL, which is pictured below.

The pilot used an Avidyne radio and XM Satellite Weather to predict the weather and made the important decision to land.  In order to make a proper go/no go decision, it is necessary to understand the weather and where and how it is generated, so you can effectively predict whether atmospheric changes are likely to occur in the areas where you will be flying. Pilots who are proficient at flying in different environments may also be able to take more risks, whereas inexperienced pilots are in greater danger when flying into mountain waves and other atmospheric disruptions. Pilots should always look at weather observations and forecasts before flying, recognize their personal limits and the limits of their plane, and be ready to make adjustments during the flight if necessary.

Posted February 10th, 2012

Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON)

Durin­g peak air travel times in the United States, there are about 5,000 airplanes in the sky every hour. This translates to approximately 50,000 aircraft operating in our skies each day. The task of ensuring safe operations of commercial and private aircraft falls on air traffic controllers. The United States airspace is divided into 21 zones (centers), and each zone is divided into sectors.  SOCAL TRACON  is the largest and busiest in the U.S.; covers 62 airports, 9,000 sq miles, covers 20 miles north of Burbank down to the Mexican Border, and Catalina to SBD. Southern California TRACON has about 1,500,000 operations a year, closely followed by the New York, Potomac, Northern California, and Atlanta TRACON’s. Generally, there are four types of traffic flows controlled by TRACON controllers. These are departures, arrivals, overflights, and aircraft operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR).

Departure aircraft

Departure aircraft are received from the control tower from which the aircraft departs and are generally 1,000 feet (300 m) to 2,000 feet (610 m) high, climbing to a pre-determined altitude. The TRACON controller working this traffic is responsible for clearing all other TRACON traffic and, based on the route of flight, placing the departing aircraft on a track and in a geographical location (sometimes referred to as a “gate” or “exit”) that is set through agreements with the en-route center. This positioning is designed to allow the en-route center to integrate the aircraft into its traffic flow easily.

Arrival aircraft

Arrival aircraft other than Visual Flight Rules aircraft entering the area are received from the en-route center in compliance with pre-determined agreements on routing, altitude, speed, spacing, etc. The TRACON controller working this traffic will take control of the aircraft and blend it with other aircraft entering the center airspace from other areas or “gates” into a single, parallel or perpendicular final for a runway at any of the airports with the TRACON space. The spacing is critical to ensure the aircraft can land and clear the runway prior to the next aircraft touching down on the runway. The TRACON controller will do a hand-off to pass the flight communication to the approach airport tower. That tower controller may also request expanded spacing between aircraft to allow aircraft to depart or to cross the runway in use.

Overflight aircraft

Overflight aircraft are aircraft that enter the TRACON airspace at one point and exit the airspace at another without landing at an airport. They must be controlled in a manner that ensures they remain separated from the climbing and descending traffic that is moving in and out of the airport. Their route may be altered to ensure this is possible. When they are returned to the en-route center, they must be on the original routing unless a change has been coordinated.

VFR aircraft

If the class of airspace allows flight under VFR, such aircraft are handled as traffic permits. Controllers will provide traffic information to ensure safety with other aircraft, and may even positively separate VFR aircraft from other aircraft, depending on the class of airspace. Controllers spend extra time with these flights in order to avoid vectoring VFR aircraft into IMC. Controllers usually provide information for the pilot about traffic in the immediate vicinity and weather information. This ensures that separation from Instrument Flight

Posted February 2nd, 2012

Winter is still in full swing, but many pilots are already planning for their warmer weather flight destinations. If you’re one of the pilots dreaming of an ideal springtime locale, you couldn’t do better than Lake Tahoe. It truly is a perfect place to visit year round, although many people only visit Tahoe during the winter months because it seems like a more obvious time to enjoy its bountiful snow sports.

However, one of the great things about springtime in Tahoe is that the ski season lasts until the end of April or even into May at many of the resorts. So even as weather is warming up and the sunshine is reflecting off the clear blue of the lake, skiers and snowboarders still have access to world-class powder on a wide range of slopes.

If you’re still not sold on Lake Tahoe as a spring flight destination, consider a few features that make it a favorite for pilots around the country.

Why Lake Tahoe Is Among the Best Springtime Flight Destinations

• Lake Tahoe is one of the most popular destinations in the nation for all kinds of recreation and relaxation. Local amenities include hotels, casinos, golf courses and 18 resorts offering internationally renowned skiing and snowboarding.
• Pilots enjoy arriving at the local Truckee Airport because of its cross-wind landing, the opportunity to land in a high-altitude setting, reasonable avgas prices, a tasty café onsite and hourly shuttles to popular skiing and snowboarding destinations.
• Springtime in Tahoe provides a unique opportunity to enjoy fewer crowds, lower prices, softer snow and warmer weather.
• The lake itself is a major attraction, offering a variety of activities, including boating and parasailing, year round. With a depth of 989 feet, clear visibility as far down as 70 feet and a 99.7% purity level, this snow-fed lake is a natural wonder worth seeing at any time of year.
• The local weather conditions comprise 396 inches of snowfall and 300 days of sunshine annually — a rare combination.
• Visitors to Lake Tahoe can be in on the slopes in California one minute and in the casinos in Nevada the next, as the city is split almost exactly down the center by the border of these two states.
• With a stunning blue lake and breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Tahoe is filled with idyllic scenery, making it an ideal destination for pilots and all other visitors.

Posted January 24th, 2012

Mammoth Mountain is a wildly popular ski resort destination during the winter, and a few pilots are lucky enough to fly in and out of this snowy wonderland in their own private aircraft. Flight safety takes on an even more crucial role during the wintertime in Mammoth,  since the weather can be as extreme as the ski slopes during the peak of the season. From turbulence and icing conditions to airspace restrictions in this region, winter in Mammoth in the winter is an invigorating time and place to fly. There are many factors that pilots must take into consideration to fly safely in Mammoth.

Flight Safety Considerations for Mammoth Winters

These are a few of the most important factors to take into consideration if you plan on flying into or out of Mammoth Mountain during the wintertime:

• Glider traffic in Owens Valley is dense, as this is a prime spot for gliding.
• Icing conditions can cause clear ice to form on the surface of the aircraft during overnight parking.
• There are restrictions on the airspace in this region due to nearby military facilities.
• Turbulence is heightened in the Mammoth region due to the mountain wave of Owens Valley.  Avoid flight in high winds.
• Watch out for engine damage from shock cooling.  This occurs during rapid temperature drops.
• Engine management is more important than ever.  The temperature can dip as low as -30 degrees.
• Take extra precautions when flying after sunset.  Avoiding the terrain is more difficult and pilots have almost no depth perception in these conditions.
• The runway may be covered in ice or snow, so be cautious during takeoff and landing. You should also get a view of the runway after the snow has been plowed to see where everything is. Finally, be extra careful during taxiing, as the snow piles are often higher than the wings of the plane.

Treat these as precautions.  Fly in the day and VFR if able.  If winds are forecasted to be greater than 30KTs at the airport, consider waiting a day.  This flight is amazing and will put a huge smile on your face upon a smooth landing at KMMH.

Posted January 17th, 2012

Did You Know?
As a pilot you could be to Big Bear in only 40 minutes? Winter is hear, so why not take that quick 40 minute flight up to Big Bear and enjoy the relaxing mountain atmosphere and go skiing.

Student Pilots:
Make Big Bear a destination during your training! Can you think of a better way to gain the necessary cross-country time you need? Our instructors have a great deal of high altitude flying experience and can give you real scenario based training so that you can safely fly yourself and friends to Big Bear any time you want once you get your pilot’s certificate.

Already a Pilot?
Enhance your proficiency! Mountain flying can be tricky. Have one of our highly qualified instructors that are well acquainted with this flight, to help you improve upon your skills. Fly up for the day or stay for the weekend to take in all that Big Bear has to offer.