Epic Buzz

Captain Judy’s Corner: Hurricanes – What’s in a name?

10-Year Hurricane Track (2005-2015)Source: National Geographic Did you know that “Huracan” was the god of big winds and evil spirits worshiped by the Maya people of Central America? Hurricane preparedness is serious business. While people have been naming major storms for hundreds of years, meteorologist first named hurricanes by the latitude and longitude coordinates where the storm was located. This system of tracking was confusing to people seeking hurricane information. In the early 1950s, the U.S. National Hurricane Center started the process by naming storms according to a phonetic alphabet, such as: Able, Baker, Charlie. The first hurricane of each season was always named “Able,” the second “Baker,” and so on. (This was also part of the early alpha codes, … Read more

Once Upon a Time: Filing a Flight Plan

Captain Judy Rice found the ICAO International Flight Plan form beneficial during her world flight. This fairy tale began long before the FAA announcement for change to the form used by United States pilots when filing a flight plan. The purpose of a flight plan might be compared to going on a long drive to visit a relative. You let your relative know the overall anticipated travel arrangements, and you include approximate time of arrival. An overdue arrival would likely cause concern, and your relative will likely call you to make sure you’re alright. A flight plan is much like having your relative on the other end of your destination. What is the history of filing a flight plan? Long … Read more

Captain Judy’s Corner: Flexibility is the Key to Safety in a Thunderstorm

Thunderstorm flexibility is essential for all pilots. The Citation was at FL370 (37000’) when I saw a thunderstorm building in the distance. I was amazed to watch and feel this energy from a far distance. The cumulonimbus clouds were building higher than the jet’s altitude. The lightning brightened the darkening sky. Are thunderstorms really all that dangerous? Every student pilot dreads the thunderstorm. Thunderstorms are part of summer weather in Florida, and most pilots here know to respect them. The first thing they learn is flexibility. Thunderstorms are one of nature’s most powerful forces and a weather hazard that are dangerous for all pilots. Flying too close to these powerful beasts can end in disaster. Pilots must understand thunderstorms and … Read more

Captain Judy’s Corner: Go-Arounds? That is the question!

To Go-Around or not to Go-Around, that is the question. However, there are some questions pilots should ask themselves before making this decision much sooner than the final approach. Safe pilots should ask themselves, “Is the landing checklist complete?” and “Is the approach stabilized?” Pilot go-arounds are common and essential to safety. A good, safe landing begins before entering the airport environment with continued evaluation throughout the entire phase of landing. What are some examples of go-around situations? One go-around I recall, after having completed the appropriate landing checklists and while on a stabilized approach, was when a sudden gust of wind lifted my airplane into the air over the runway threshold. This destabilized my approach so the decision was … Read more

Density Altitude: Do Airplanes Feel It?

How does hot, humid air affect flying? The cockpit felt like a sauna in the Arizona heat. I wasn’t the only one enduring the summer weather. My airplane was, too. In aviation, changes in air temperature, humidity, and pressure directly affect performance. To understand why, pilots use calculations, equations, and even a density altitude chart or calculator to determine how their aircraft will behave. On a cool Florida morning, you’ll notice a short takeoff roll and a quick climb. By contrast, a hot, humid afternoon produces a very different result: more runway used, slower acceleration, and less climb performance. The difference comes down to air density, which changes constantly with weather and altitude. Quick Navigation to Density Altitude What is … Read more