Recent content by John Collins

Undoubtedly the Solar Storm. LPV, LP, and WAAS vertical guidance was wiped out for the entire US CONUS, Canada, and Alaska for about 8 hours on the date of your flight. If you look at the LPV annunciation, it would most likely have been amber rather than its normal green color on the GPS...

I have seen that occur when VLOC is set on the GPS, but the CDI/PFD is set to GPS.

Not exactly, but it did take quite some time however from when the idea was first submitted to the FAA by the NBAA back in 2011. It helped that the FAA wanted to reduce their contract with Leidos and this was one way it could be accomplished. The main issues that had to be dealt with was buy in...

Number 2. It is extremely rare that a GPS shares the antenna between two systems. I don't think any of the popular Garmin or Avidyne systems allow this. However, there are instances where a GPS antenna will break into oscillation and in effect become a local GPS jammer knocking out all GPS in...

Not the 180 power off landing demonstration, but illustrates the difference between some of the smaller aircraft vs the Bonanza attempting the "Impossible turn" back to the runway on a departure engine failure.

I am a Bonanza owner of 45 years and specialize instructing in the type. They are very good gliders in the clean configuration, better than 10 to 1, but not so much with the gear down and much worse with gear and flaps down. In the pattern, as long as you delay extending the gear to abeam the...

A Bonanza A36 can't make the runway from a normal pattern, especially with gear and flaps down. If gear is extended abeam the numbers, you can barely make the runway if you turn right away. With full flaps down, no chance.

Actually, it has bearings and they move with changes in the local magnetic variation over time, so using the magnetic bearing from 20 years ago, might not fly over the same dirt, whereas with a VOR radial, the radial you set in the OBS and the CDI if it is centered, will go over the same dirt...

Mode S Transponders and ADS-B Out systems provide for the ability to configure a call sign. Most accomplish this using the ICAO Aircraft ID or registry number (aka N number). Most but not all may be configured to permit the pilot to enter a call sign that is different from the registry value...

You need to comply with JO 7610.12A which deals with the assignment and authorization of call signs:

"Push the button" suggests someone who only knows how to use Direct-to. I find that many pilots don't have a workable understanding of how to do many things using a GPS navigator. Pilots who have only been trained to use conventional navigation systems will often struggle with: 1. What Activate...

Do you mean like the GFC 500 caused? https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/general-aviation/2023-01-16/garmin-resolves-gfc-500-runaway-trim-issue

Many fatal accidents have been caused by runaway trim.

I have the exact opposite opinion. I have a manual electric trim on my Stec autopilot because I don't want to have a trim system that can get a mind of its own. A runaway trim is a much more serious event than a trim error on turning off the autopilot. My system shows an up/down trim...

During the period before the ACS is required on 5/31/2024, the FAA has put out guidance that in essence allows the pilot to be tested to either 8B or 8C version of the IFR ACS.