Switched on The RCCNZ says a lot happens behind the little red ELT switch, which you may not fully appreciate. Read more about 'Switched on'... Posted 3 days ago
A pilot's best friend or worst enemy? How you implement tech in the cockpit determines its usefulness and safety. Read more about 'A pilot's best friend or worst enemy?'... Posted in Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism, General safety, Posted 10 days ago
Out of the blue A routine flight from Paraparaumu to Tākaka in November 2024 turns into a dramatic sea ditching. Read more about 'Out of the blue'... Posted in Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism, Aircraft owner and aircraft, Weather, When things go wrong, Posted 17 days ago
Fatal distraction Staying focussed during low-level flying will help keep you from a wire strike. Read more about 'Fatal distraction'... Posted in Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism, General safety, Wires, Posted 24 days ago
Bullets, shrapnel, and military drones These are three potentially lethal reasons for pilots to stay well clear of military operating areas. Read more about 'Bullets, shrapnel, and military drones'... Posted in Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism, Aerodromes, Airspace, Posted 31 days ago
Test flights for aircraft modifications Lots of aircraft get modified so they can undertake new activities. The CAA has now made it more straightforward to apply for flight tests and related approvals. Read more about 'Test flights for aircraft modifications'... Posted in Aircraft owner and aircraft, Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism, Posted 38 days ago
Don’t be that pilot Check your NOTAMs! To accommodate increasing numbers of flights to Whitianga airfield, in 2022, Mercury Bay Aero Club embarked on a major three-year works programme. Read more about 'Don’t be that pilot'... Posted in Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism, General safety, Posted 3 months ago
Remedial training to prevent repeated flight test failures By CAA Flight Examiner Guy Brooking It’s no secret that pilots who’ve had to make multiple attempts to pass flight tests, later feature disproportionally in accidents1. Read more about 'Remedial training to prevent repeated flight test failures'... Posted in Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism, Posted 3 months ago
The life-saving importance of the duplicate inspection Don’t allow a once-over-lightly duplicate inspection in your workshop endanger your aircraft and pilots – and their passengers. Read more about 'The life-saving importance of the duplicate inspection'... Posted in Engineering and maintenance, Posted 3 months ago
“It’s about being a reasonable human” You wouldn’t shoulder barge someone in the street, even if you had right-of-way, would you? Maybe apply that same courtesy in the circuit. Read more about '“It’s about being a reasonable human”'... Posted 3 months ago