AOPA Pilot Magazine - Turbine Edition

By Rob Mark

Pilots earn their certificates once they truly understand the magic of how an aircraft flies, whether they’re flying on instruments, towing banners, flying multiengine or turbine aircraft, or even helicopters or seaplanes.

By J. Mac McClellan.

The onboard weather radar is the only piece of avionics that requires a reasonably high level of pilot skill and understanding to be used effectively. But thanks to the ongoing miracles of digital electronics, “smart” radars eliminate nearly all the guesswork when using the radar to avoid dangerous weather.

It all started with a phone call from AOPA colleagues Richard McSpadden and Dave Hirschman one hot, spring day: “Do you know of an A&P that could do a prebuy on a Cessna 170 near Auburn, Alabama?” asked McSpadden.

The dispatcher’s brief text to the Learjet crew holds both unspeakable tragedy and profound hope: “Lung team going to Columbus, Ohio. Takeoff from Allegheny County Airport at 10:15 a.m.”