Vector Online - Page 47 | aviation.govt.nz

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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Beaver rush

This is my story of rush, of failing to follow procedure, of being terrorised by a senior into acting against that ‘gut feeling’, and of ignorance.

Ballooning safety post-Carterton

It was, at the time, the world’s deadliest single hot air ballooning disaster* but operators and the CAA say it has forever changed – and for the better – ballooning…

Posted in Adventure aviation,

Posted 10 years ago

Wires - Working to get them down

Since 1979, New Zealand helicopter pilots have had 116 wire strikes, with 28 deaths.

Posted in Wires,

Posted 10 years ago

Profiling risk in Part 135

The CAA has developed a second sector risk profile (SRP) to look at how risks can be reduced.

Posted in Operators, Rotary operations,

Posted 10 years ago

Identifiable paint schemes and call signs

Do you want to brighten up your aircraft with a fancy new paint job, or use a callsign that reflects your aircraft’s personality?

Posted in Aircraft owner and aircraft,

Posted 10 years ago

Flying on a dying engine

Sunday, 30 August 2015, early afternoon. Christchurch air traffic control logs a MAYDAY from a Piper Arrow PA-28R-200, after some sort of explosion, and partial engine failure.

Posted in Engines and engine failure, Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism, When things go wrong,

Posted 10 years ago

A day in the life of a PLA

Parachute landing areas (PLAs) indicate the main – but not the only – landing areas for major parachute operations.

Posted in Adventure aviation,

Posted 10 years ago

IFR circling speed restrictions

Some confusion exists in the IFR arena about circling speed restrictions and how they affect circling area dimensions. Pilots unaware of these nuances risk flying outside the protected area.

Posted in Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism,

Posted 10 years ago

An excess of skill?

How does a GA aircraft crash with two experienced pilots on board? Does the plethora of expertise in the cockpit actually increase the risk?

Posted in Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism,

Posted 10 years ago

Glass vs analogue

Once upon a time, pilots learned to fly in a cockpit that sported dials and gauges. Now, many fly aircraft with multiple screens and flashing colours.