Vector Online - In category Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism

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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Stay out of wildfire airspace

In a blaze, conditions change rapidly, and multiple aircraft work at low level. Despite those risks, recreational pilots are repeatedly entering temporary restricted airspace1 without clearance.

Posted in Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism, Flight planning, General safety,

Posted 3 days ago

Unintended consequences at the fuel bowser

A change to what’s displayed on BP fuel bowsers, and how it’s displayed, means pilots have to be particularly careful about following good fuelling practice.

Posted in Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism, Fuel and fuelling, Aircraft owner and aircraft,

Posted 22 days ago

The trap of experience

With experience in aviation comes wisdom. But experience does not guarantee safety. The people involved in the accidents described here were skilled, experienced aviators.

Posted in Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism,

Posted 31 days ago

Flying with medical issues

How ‘letters of conditions’ keep pilots in the sky – and safe.

Posted in Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism,

Posted 45 days ago

Improving safety in mixed manned and unmanned operations

All low-level flight operators are reminded to use Flight Advisor to help make sure they’re safe.

Posted in Operators, Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism, Drones and model aircraft,

Posted 52 days ago

Don't ignore the cautionary light

When a warning light flickers on in the cockpit instrument panel, what’s your first instinct?

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

Posted 58 days ago

The ‘big sky’ is getting smaller

There have been 26 reports of close calls in Class G airspace, while enroute, since the beginning of 2025. Here are observations from some of them.

Posted in Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism, General safety,

Posted 2 months ago

Introducing new ASA Scotty Booth

Whangārei-based Scotty Booth has been appointed the CAA’s new Aviation Safety Advisor (ASA) for North Island flight operations.

Posted in CAA, General safety, Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism,

Posted 4 months ago

Near collision at Rangiora

Good radio communication and robust situational awareness would have avoided a heart-stopping close call.

Posted in Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism, Rotary operations,

Posted 5 months ago

Flying now feels safer at unattended aerodromes

Flight instructors aren’t easily impressed, but they say pilots are behaving better in the circuit. North Shore aerodrome, 2018. Photo courtesy of North Shore Aero Club.

Posted in Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism, Aerodromes, General safety,

Posted 7 months ago

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