Approach articles from February 2003

Approach archives from February 2003

Never a dull moment.(landing with mechanical problems on an aircraft carrier)
February 1, 2003... Each platform in naval aviation has a dreaded emergency scenario that, while rarely or never seen in flight, invariably appears during NATOPS-simulator training. The only way to even the odds with these scenarios is to crack open the NATOPS...

My Peter Cain overnighter.(decision-making when landing helicopters)
February 1, 2003... It was a beautiful day in the desert, west of the Colorado River, and I was the instructor for a low-level training flight in an H-60. The student pilot was an experienced Cat II, and both of the aircrewmen were FRS instructors. In short, it...

IFR in the cockpit.(Instrument Flight Rules, landing a plane blind)
February 1, 2003... I was scheduled to lead a division of red-air, supporting an airwing self-escort strike. The airwing was flying on a 1+15 cycle, and I was the last launch of the night. We were a month into our six-month WestPac deployment. Flying at night...

The Grumman Hawkeye breaks down.(coping with equipment failure)
February 1, 2003... As a new naval-flight officer (NFO) in the squadron, I was excited to participate in a cross-country flight from Point Mugu, Calif., to Norfolk, Va. I recently had left the fleet-replacement squadron (FRS), and I planned to visit friends. ...

Feline frequent flyer, or the cat's meow.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... On the afternoon of Sept. 12, 2002, an instructor and two VT-31 students just had completed a routine T-44A instrument-training hop in the South Texas area. The three-hour flight included approaches and touch-and-goes at NAS Corpus Christi, NAS...

Smells like JP-5.(working with a flight instructor)
February 1, 2003... Flight training in Meridian, Miss., presents many obstacles for the future naval aviator. Besides the many hours of studying required to master procedures, you're challenged to transition from an aircraft that can move at barely three miles a...

Cleared to circle to land, not ground loop.(landing in a thunderstorm)
February 1, 2003... "This will be a surveillance approach to runway 02, circle to land 20, MDA is 580 feet." This definitely was not the best way to start a cross-country. We were a section of Hornets on our way from NAF Atsugi, centrally located on the big...

When you're no longer 20/20.(pilot use of contact lenses)
February 1, 2003... Late one evening, a lieutenant was looking for me in the wardroom. He certainly didn't look his usual self. Of course, being an FA-18 pilot on cruise isn't a relaxing job, but he looked stressed. "I need to talk to you," he said, "I almost...

We don't need no stinkin' rules, do we? (ORM Corner).(new training requirements help experienced pilots)
February 1, 2003... This is the second time I've written to Approach about this particular flight. The first time was shortly after the flight happened almost eight ago. In the years since, I have reflected on the only time I truly thought I was going to die in a...

If it's not one thing, it's another.(complacent air traffic controllers )
February 1, 2003... The crew was ready for a breather a after a month of high-ops tempo at Masirah AB, Oman. Much to our delight, Drew Carey, Wayne Newton, and two Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders were scheduled for a morale visit to share their comedy, music, and...

To preflight of not to preflight, that is the question.(preflight checks)
February 1, 2003... As an experienced aviator, I know the value of a good preflight. As a former safety officer, I know there is nothing we do on a daily basis that is so important we should disregard safety procedures. However, in the blink of an eye one Easter...

When things go bump in the day and night.(routine maintenance problems)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... During a routine preflight walk-around of Banger 600, a large hole was found forward of the main-entrance hatch. Maintenance had no clue how it had gotten there. We traced the evidence and identified how and why this mishap had occurred. ...

Learning the difference between right and wrong. (Crew Resource Management).(Flying.)
February 1, 2003... Situational Awareness Assertiveness Decision Making Leadership Communication Adaptability/Flexibility Mission Analysis CRM Contacts: LCdr. Scott Stroble, OPNAV N789F3 CRM Program Mgr....

A sign of weakness?
February 1, 2003... This article was difficult for me to write. The purpose of any Approach article is to spread the word: for pilots and NFOs to share their mistakes with fellow aviators to make naval aviation as safe as possible. Most articles talk about...