Approach articles from October 2001

Approach archives from October 2001

Freezing at the equator.(pilot recounts his experience)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... We had just crossed the equator at the international dateline (read: Golden Shellback) and the weather was hot and humid, with big puffy clouds everywhere. We had some pretty big buildups during the day, CBs up to 18,000-20,000 feet, but it was...

Any questions?(pilot recounts his experience)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... The flight lead's brief covered the sight picture, closure, and tanker-related emergencies. I wasn't very clear on the details surrounding damaged AOA or pitot-probe emergencies, but I felt comfortable with my ability to handle these unlikely...

A little off the top, please.(close call in launching of two military aircraft)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... It was one of those days working on the flight deck when you knew something was about to happen. We had been in the Gulf for several months, baking in the summer heat. The crew was tired and a little complacent. I was working the bow cats...

Got keys?(pilot recounts his experience)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... There I was, finishing a good flight. I got plenty of training signed off and was feeling good about my accomplishments. I was ready to leave early so I could make an off base appointment when I realized my car keys weren't where I usually left...

Is that a shortcut to the target? (ORM Corner).(military air pilot in training recounts near-miss experience)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... August 16. 2000, was a typical hot and hazy day in Kingsville, Texas. I was flying T-45As with VT-21, trying to earn my wings. I was excited about the weapons portion of the syllabus. This was going to be my first time dropping Mk-76 bombs from...

This was supposed to be a good deal!(student military pilot encounters trouble on Maverick shoot)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... The six-week spring WTI course was drawing to an end and, as one of the AV-8B students, I was looking forward to graduating on Monday. Saturday afternoon was devoted for planning and the last event, FinEx II, was scheduled for Sunday. ...

Simulated malfunction + actual fatigue = real problem (Actual Fatigue).(military pilot in training flies P-3C)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... It was a typical training flight in a P-3C. We had set up simulated malfunctions in accordance with NATOPS and the Flight Instructor's Guide (FIG). Although I'm an experienced instructor flight engineer with plenty of hours on the...

Close call with a closing canopy.(military air pilot recounts boarding mishap)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... It was an uncharacteristically cold and rainy day as I manned up for my first Operation Southern Watch (OSW) flight since our arrival in the Persian Gulf. I had that touch of anxiety you get anytime you do something you have not done in a...

Saved by a good wingman.(military air pilot recounts his experience)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... In the lore of naval aviation, the only two things a good wingman should ever say are. "Two," and "Sir, you're on fire!" The qualities of a good wingman are taught from day one, and the importance of good wing-manship is emphasized in...

A serious supplemental hazard.(use of Ephedra high among Marines)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... On the morning of Dec. 20, 2000, a Marine Corps corporal panicked and began sinking during a 75-yard survival swim while wearing flight gear. This is a common occurrence at Aviation Survival Training Center Cherry Point, especially during...

Oil pressure where?(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... We were a quarter of the way through my first WestPac and just out of the great port of Perth, Australia. The tempo of flight operations was turning out to be somewhat less than I had hoped. Most pilots were flying once a day, with two days off...

Little part, big problem: visions of us sliding down the runway on our belly danced in my head.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... We were out for leisurely two-hour flight. I was getting my annual instrument check along with a bit of proficiency flying. It was one of those days when Mother Nature couldn't make up her mind. We flew in and out of broken layers on multiple...

Bravo Zulu.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... The crew of 6E645 launched from North Whiting Field on a day, VFR. student-traning flight. After the pilot retracted the gear, the aircrew heard a loud noise. Lt. Williams, who was the instructor pilot (IP), took the controls from Ltjg. Clark,...

Riding on the rim.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... It was a cold December day, and our squadron was winding up a 10-day Supporting Arms Training Exercise (SATEx) at Bogue Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field, N.C. We had endured the winter chill in the meat-locker-cold K-Spans, and we were...

Bound for Greenland.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... We were sitting in our dry suits at base operations in Keflavik, Iceland, waiting to see if the forecaster had some good news for us. This was the second day of a four-day return trip from Great Britain to California, and we were looking to get...

Learning from a flight that never flew.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... AS a student ECMO, I participated in an FRS detachment to NAF El Centro. The detachments are held at El Centro during the winter months because the weather is better than in Whidbey Island, Wash. The pace is fast, compared to training at home:...