Monthly Archives: January 2012

Safety Management System and General Aviation

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Rich Martindell

A Safety Management System (SMS)—the risk assessment and dispatch process for each flight—represents a critical aspect of commercial or corporate flight operations. A series of factors must be considered through an independent evaluation system that lets pilots and supervisors know … Continue reading →

Posted in Cockpit Resource Management | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Desert Thunder VII

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Rich Martindell

Thermal, CA October 2011: The Red Star Pilots’ Association conducted Desert Thunder VII at Jackie Cochran Airport (KTRM) in October. Desert Thunder is an annual training program for pilots who want to learn to fly tactical formation, fly low level … Continue reading →

Posted in Flying Adventures | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

T-34 to Georgia

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Rich Martindell

In addition to flying the Plus One Flyers Malibu for some time, I’ve been fortunate to be able to fly a friend’s T-34 out of Gillespie on formation flights with the San Diego Salute Team for fly-bys at parades, holidays … Continue reading →

Posted in Flying Adventures | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

2006 MCAS Yuma Air Show

Posted on January 3, 2012 by Rich Martindell

A January air show in Minneapolis sounds as crazy as a July air show in Yuma. But, the flight line in Yuma in February is heaven. Like the PGA, the winter air show circuit covers the sunbelt in the Southwest … Continue reading →

Posted in Flying Adventures | Tagged , | Leave a comment

2009 Moscow Air Show

Posted on January 3, 2012 by Rich Martindell

When the San Diego Air & Space Museum put together a trip to Moscow for the 2009 MAKS Air Show I thought the price looked a little steep until I studied the itinerary and determined it was an offer I … Continue reading →

Posted in Flying Adventures | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Checklist Discipline

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Rich Martindell

Why do pilots stop using checklists? Safety experts use words like familiarity or complacency. It might be because many general aviation pilots have never been told about the difference between a do-list and a checklist. They are actually the same document; it’s just a … Continue reading →

Posted in Cockpit Resource Management | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Rich Martindell: Aviation and Safety Consultant rich@wild-blue-yonder.com 619-253-7649 University of Southern California trained aircraft accident investigator and safety program manager. Experienced in risk analysis, management and mitigation and establishing compliance programs for the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). … Continue reading →

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Cameron | Comments Off on Rich Martindell: Aviation and Safety Consultant

Winter Flying in Southern California

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Rich Martindell

If you live in sunny southern California do you really have to worry about cold weather flying? The answer is, “You bet your sweet bippy.” With our mild climate we can be lured into a false idea that we don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Cockpit Resource Management | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Flying the F-15 Eagle

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Rich Martindell

    Flying the F-15 is easy. Learning to employ it effectively is another story. At the time I started flying the F-15 there were only F-15As, a single seat fighter, and F-15Bs, a two seat training version that was fully combat … Continue reading →

Posted in Flying Adventures | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Gathering Flight Planning Information

Posted on January 1, 2012 by Rich Martindell

How do you get your weather and NOTAM information when you flight plan? You now have multiple options besides phoning the Flight Service Station (FSS) and getting the information the old fashion way from a briefer. One important thing to consider is if the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cockpit Resource Management | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment