Saturday morning's most interesting reads, with five can't-miss posts every week. Exclusive articles, new videos, interactive quizzes, and special aviation events–it's your weekly connection to what's happening in general aviation. Sign up for the weekly Fast Five email here.
1. FAA Introduces New Rules for CFIs, Effective December 1st
Big changes are coming for certified flight instructors on December 1, 2024. While it's been widely publicized that CFIs will no longer have an expiration date associated with their certificate under the new rules, CFIs are required to maintain recent flight instruction activity or participate in a flight instructor refresher course (FIRC) at least every 24 months. Failure to document and apply for recency will have the same effect as a CFI expiring.
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2. PIREP: Flying with iPhone Satellite Messaging
Every ten years, a new technology hits the market that fundamentally changes how we operate small airplanes. In the 2000s, GPS changed the way we navigated. In the 2010s, the iPad and ADS-B technology revolutionized how pilots accessed flight support information in the cockpit. Thanks to recent developments, the 2020s will be known as the decade of satellite connectivity. We recently tested Apple's new satellite messaging feature, and here's how pilots can use it in flight.
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3. TAA Instrument Approaches: How to Navigate Terminal Arrival Areas
The Terminal Arrival Area (TAA) approach is designed to provide a transition from the IFR enroute segment to the approach environment with little required interaction between the pilot and air traffic control (ATC). This is accomplished by publishing operationally usable altitudes in lieu of a traditional minimum safe altitude (MSA) altitude defined within a circular sector.
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4. Carburetor Icing and My Taylorcraft Accident
Preventing ice is your best bet to avoid becoming an NTSB statistic. Follow your airplane flight manual or operating handbook's instructions and use your carburetor heat whenever icing is probable. Remember, you can even pick up ice when taxiing or idling on the ground. If ice is likely, run the carb heat for a few minutes prior to takeoff to make sure that the carburetor is clear.
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5. How to Choose the Best Aviation Headset for Your Flying Needs
Selecting the right aviation headset is a big decision for any pilot, impacting comfort, clarity, and even safety during flight. A well-designed headset not only ensures clear communication with air traffic control and other pilots but also provides crucial noise reduction, which helps minimize distractions and fatigue. Whether you’re flying short routes or a cross-country flight, the right headset can make all the difference in the cockpit
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Webinar: Flight Simulators 101 (webinar recording)
