Fly By Charles

Certified Flight Instructor providing tips, thoughts and resources for safe flying to student and experienced pilots alike.

[Fly By Charles @flybycharles]

Trying to fly by VSI during those alt sensitive maneuvers with your CFI?

Keep in mind that the VSI isn't accurate until you are stabilized. Once the airflow over the static port becomes interrupted it takes around 7 sec to catch up from the lag.

[Fly By Charles @flybycharles]

Turns around a point in cheat mode!

[Aviation @xAviation]

Insane Funnel Cloud filmed from a plane ✈️

📸 jlnphoto

[Fly By Charles @flybycharles]

A zero index means that the parcel of air, if lifted to 500mb, would have the same temperature as the actual air at 500 mb. This air is said to be neutrally stable (neither stable or unstable).

[Fly By Charles @flybycharles]

Continuing on with our aviation weather themed day, sponsored by Hurricane Ian:

An oft forgotten Wx product that is helpful is the Lifted Index chart. The more negative the lifted index the more unstable the air mass.

As you can see, area around Ian is batshit crazy.

[Fly By Charles @flybycharles]

A negative index means that the low-level air, if lifted, to 500 mb, would be warmer than the surrounding air. The air is unstable and suggests the possibility of convection. Large negative values (-4 or less) would indicate very unstable air.

[NOAA Aircraft Operations Center @NOAA_HurrHunter]

OVER THE CARIBBEAN- @NOAA WP-3D Orion “Kermit” #NOAA42 flies into the eye of Hurricane #Ian 09.27.22. Credit: Nick Underwood, NOAA. Visit https://t.co/Wv5xRkqsl1 for info on the storm. #FlyNOAA #Science #aviation

[Fly By Charles @flybycharles]

The ^^^ is a classic aviation weather related knowledge requirement.

Surface friction will usually cause winds to flow approx 90 degrees to the direction of winds aloft.

[Fly By Charles @flybycharles]

Given hurricane Ian is about to hit west coast of Florida, today's theme will be aviation weather.

Lets start with, dont fly in a hurricane unless you want a Vx equal to that of a rocket ship!

[Fly By Charles @flybycharles]

Beyond that and speaking of winds...anyone else think its odd that even though a hurricane spinning counter clockwise, whose eastern edge is lashing FL coast (so winds out of the north) the TAF for Tampa Bay shows easterly surface winds?

[Randall Munroe @xkcd]

Pilot Priority List https://t.co/7i1OOgpeEQ

[Fly By Charles @flybycharles]

If you see "HS1" or "HS2" on your airport diagram, that means its a hot spot.

Its a taxiway to taxiway or taxiway to runway intersection that is complex or confusing.

Be extra cautious when moving through these areas.

[Fly By Charles @flybycharles]

Airplane owner/operator myth:

"Your aircraft is un-airworthy if it has exceeded the TBO for the engine"

TBO is only a recommendation from the manufacturer -- not a mandatory maintenance requirement.

[Fly By Charles @flybycharles]

Sure you can tip! Here's an example:
"Make sure the mags are off if you turn the prop by hand."

That tip will save your life if not your fingers at least.

[FLYING Magazine @FlyingMagazine]

A flight instructor answers questions such as: ‘Is it OK to tip your CFI?’ https://t.co/qK2bsQs2IU

[Fly By Charles @flybycharles]

Seriously though. I cant wait to hear that motive when it comes out.

[Fly By Charles @flybycharles]

BRB...gonna steal a King Air and fly erratically over my city for a few hours. 🙃

[Fly By Charles @flybycharles]

Good morning.