Aero-Tips!

A good pilot is always learning -- how many times have you heard this old standard throughout your flying career? There is no truer statement in all of flying (well, with the possible exception of "there are no old, bold pilots.") It's part of what makes aviation so exciting for all of us... just when you think you've seen it all, along comes a scenario you've never imagined.

Aero-News has called upon the expertise of Thomas P. Turner (pictured right), master CFI and all-around-good-guy, to bring our readers -- and us -- daily tips to improve our skills as aviators, and as representatives of the flying community. Some of them, you may have heard before... but for each of us, there will also be something we might never have considered before, or something that didn't "stick" the way it should have the first time we memorized it for the practical test.

It is our unabashed goal that "Aero-Tips" will help our readers become better, safer pilots -- as well as introducing our ground-bound readers to the concepts and principles that keep those strange aluminum-and-composite contraptions in the air... and allow them to soar magnificently through it.

Look for our daily Aero-Tips segments, coming each day to you through the Aero-News Network. Suggestions for future Aero-Tips are always welcome, as are additions or discussion of each day's tips. Remember... when it comes to being good pilots, we're all in this together.

Aero-Tips 01.03.06

When is a Flight Service briefer or a DUAT-generated flight brief not required to tell you about Notices to Aviators (NOTAMs)? When those NOTAMs are “published” as Class II NOTAMs.

Mishap... and misunderstanding

The NTSB reports: “The airplane... landed on the un-paved portion of a runway under construction and struck the end of the existing runway. All three landing gear were separated from the airplane... the pilot stated that he landed on the un-finished portion of a runway extension that was approximately 8 inches lower than the existing runway. He stated that there were no markings visible from the air to indicate that the extension was not useable. (Non-standard) plywood chevrons were placed in the grass adjacent to the sides of the runway extension. There were no markings on the new runway extension. The runway extension project was listed in a notice to airmen (NOTAM).” The pilot had received a preflight weather briefing.

Any NOTAM that is in effect longer than 28 days becomes a Class II NOTAM.  Runway repairs or modifications are a perfect example. Class II NOTAMs are published on-line in pdf format and are NOT given in telephone or on-line briefings unless you specifically ask—it’s assumed you have read the “published NOTAMs.”

Aero-Tip of the Day: Be certain to ask your briefer or DUAT provider for all Notices to Aviators, including the Class II NOTAMs, unless you have read the current “published NOTAMs.”

FMI: Aero-Tips