“Takeoff and initial climb are the most fatal phases of flight, according to the NTSB; 24% of all fatal accidents,” said St. George, who is also an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner in Upstate New York. “Professional CFIs must be ready to provide solid, safe guidance and training for pilots at all levels.” He urged CFIs to get actively involved, using the hastag #improbableturn on Twitter or Facebook for live comments and questions.
SAFE’s previous livestream web program panels have included top CFIs such as Rich Stowell, Patty Wagstaff, Todd Shellnutt, Machado, St. George and Still on topics including Inflight Loss of Control and CFI Professionalism. The Loss of Control seminar with SAFE members Patty Wagstaff and Rich Stowell, originally presented in September, is still available at on YouTube.
Shuster has supported other measures benefiting GA and the instructional community, most recently third class medical reform, which has brought lapsed pilots back for recurrency instruction.
SAFE member Sean D. Tucker, co-founder of the Bob Hoover Academy, celebrates the arrival of the Redbird FMX with officials and students from the academy Jan. 10.
Tucker noted that many of the area’s parents work long hours in the agricultural industry and their children often fall into the wrong crowd when they are unsupervised.
The Hoover Academy’s mission statement explains that it uses the “power of flight to change lives” by incorporating science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics concepts to bolster confidence and to introduce aviation careers to youth who are challenged daily by violence and crime.
In a stable, coordinated turn (level, climbing or descending), the lift on the wings is equal! Obviously, there was unequal lift while rolling the plane into the turn, but when it is established and coordinated, lift on the wings is equal. If you reduce power and decelerate to a stall, it’s no big deal, the nose falls away from the lift vector. For the CFI this is a very powerful and useful demonstration (and an effective teachable moment). I guarantee your student (who should already be comfortable with level stalls to be ready for this) will grab the seat and expect a spin (even though you already explained it all). This is a misunderstanding due to the flight attitude. The usual airplane reaction to this stall is a mushing motion away from the lift vector. Most pilots are surprised at the lack of a sharp stall break and fail to even identify the stalled condition! These “teachable moments” are critical in the flight training process to create safe pilots.