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, 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 03.07.06

I did it. Most of us probably have. I accidentally left my cell phone on in my bag in the back of an airplane. I was providing flight instruction in visual meteorological conditions (VMC), so safety wasn’t an issue. But when we attempted to fly an ILS approach I noticed a centered localizer needle didn’t quite line us up with the runway. And we heard a consistent beeping noise through our headsets. After landing I turned off my cell phone; the next ILS was displaying correctly, and the beeping went away.

Portable Electronic Devices

FAR 91.21 tells us portable electronic devices cannot be used:

1. in air carrier operations and/or
2. under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).
3. Portable voice recorders, hearing aids, pacemakers and electric shavers are exempt from this restriction.
4. All other portable electronic devices are prohibited unless the aircraft operator [owner or pilot] has determined the device will not interfere with the airplane’s navigation or communications systems.

This means testing laptop computers (disable wireless features), MP3/iPod players, passengers’ electronic games and even handheld aviation devices, especially if they interface through a wireless or Bluetooth network, in visual conditions through a wide range of navigation and communication frequencies before attempting flight with them under IFR.

Aero-tip of the day: Test new cockpit aids and portable electronics before using them under IFR. Include “Cells phones and unapproved devices -- OFF” as a step on your Before Start checklist (so you’ll remember it in the baggage bin and be able to act), and brief it to passengers as well.

FMI: Aero-Tips