Reporters are confused over the definition of STALL in aviation. A stall has absolutely nothing to do with the engines. In aviation, it is defined as the air flow boundary layer separating from the wing, the wing stops producing lift and the aircraft stops flying. A stalled wing will cause an aircraft [...]

Below is a safety alert I received from my union today:
Forwarding Safety-Related Information Could Save Lives
Last week, SWAPA�s Safety Committee warned of a potentially dangerous problem involving the ILS 23 at BUF. Although BUF is not currently a destination for our crews, it is an alternate. In an effort to keep you informed, we’re passing [...]

Information is starting to come forward on the Turkish Air crash. Again, I’m very hesitant to comment on an accident before the facts are released. Some of my readers have asked my opinion so I will address what facts are known. There are some striking similarities between it and the Colgan Air crash [...]

The NTSB has detailed concern with the autopilot mode that the aircraft was in. Why is that important? I’m not familiar with the Q-400 flight director and autopilot so I will cover systems in general.

This is a good production. Note the buildings on both sides of the river, it is easy to see that the river was the only option. The FAA ran simulations trying to reach various airports and couldn’t. Sully made the right decision and stuck to it.

This headline is why you don’t jump to conclusions and Jim Hall as the former head of the NTSB, should know that. He really got out on a limb and started sawing. The latest from the agency he used to head, makes it pretty clear that there was not an issue with the [...]

In my last article I wrote:
“A possible explanation would be if the crew countered the pusher in accordance with the NASA procedures and caused an accelerated stall with subsequent departure and spin.”
I also said it would be some time before we really know; however I think the NTSB is making it very clear now. [...]

The crew had prepared for icing by activating de-ice and speed reference switches, the speed switch automatically increased the approach speeds by 20 knots. The auto pilot was on, since the ice was not reported as severe it was permissible.
At a speed of 134 calibrated knots, the gear was selected down and flap handle [...]

According to the NTSB the Q-400 had its auto pilot on for the entire event. The stall warning and protect systems also activated. The stick shaker is the warning system; it has an aural warning and shakes the control yoke to warn of an impending stall. The stick pusher system is a [...]