Aviation Articles
In addition to my work with Flyguides Pilot Travel, I've had the real pleasure of being able to fly for a living without being some kind of bus driver in the sky by writing about flying.
Please note that, like everything on nickselby.com, the articles here are posted to serve as a showcase for my writing, programming and information design. While I hope you enjoy reading the flying stories, none are providing operational advice or information.
An American Pilot In Europe
Flying over the verdant rolling hills of the Italian countryside, circling the ancient hilltop village of Urbino (birthplace of the painter Raphael), I looked at my wife, Corinna, and remembered just what it was that made me want to get that licence in the first place. Every year, while thousands of... [Read article]
Flying over the verdant rolling hills of the Italian countryside, circling the ancient hilltop village of Urbino (birthplace of the painter Raphael), I looked at my wife, Corinna, and remembered just what it was that made me want to get that licence in the first place. Every year, while thousands of... [Read article]
Whiskey What!?!
"Augsburg Tower, Cessna Echo Hotel November Foxtrot is three minutes east of Sierra inbound for Runway 07, full stop landing" "November Fox, Sierra is closed due to glider traffic in the area, do you have another request?" My friend Kees, an American flight instructor flying with me for the first time in... [Read article]
"Augsburg Tower, Cessna Echo Hotel November Foxtrot is three minutes east of Sierra inbound for Runway 07, full stop landing" "November Fox, Sierra is closed due to glider traffic in the area, do you have another request?" My friend Kees, an American flight instructor flying with me for the first time in... [Read article]
Journey To Prague
American pilots in Europe are constantly amazed that, in a Skyhawk, you're often just two hours away from another country. (See related story on how an American with a PPL can rent and fly airplanes in Europe.) Ten years ago, at the dusk of the Cold War, a trip from Munich... [Read article]
American pilots in Europe are constantly amazed that, in a Skyhawk, you're often just two hours away from another country. (See related story on how an American with a PPL can rent and fly airplanes in Europe.) Ten years ago, at the dusk of the Cold War, a trip from Munich... [Read article]
If You Go To Prague...
If you do decide to go to Prague, there are a few things to keep in mind. This is not an exhaustive list, but it's a good place to start. Visa Americans, Brits and other European citizens need no visa, just a valid passport. The Czech currency is the Koruna (Kcs); US$1... [Read article]
If you do decide to go to Prague, there are a few things to keep in mind. This is not an exhaustive list, but it's a good place to start. Visa Americans, Brits and other European citizens need no visa, just a valid passport. The Czech currency is the Koruna (Kcs); US$1... [Read article]
On The Radio
German and Czech ATC are highly competent and professional and speak English, but remember, it's not their native language, and they're used to speaking English with other non-native speakers. Americans, they feel, tend to speak colorfully or offhandedly, which makes it difficult for them to understand you - even if... [Read article]
German and Czech ATC are highly competent and professional and speak English, but remember, it's not their native language, and they're used to speaking English with other non-native speakers. Americans, they feel, tend to speak colorfully or offhandedly, which makes it difficult for them to understand you - even if... [Read article]
Living Aboard A GA Airplane
I'm coming up on PREDA Intersection and 7,000 feet on my departure from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. The Tiger snaps left on Bahamas Route 70V toward Freeport, and I'm concentrating so intently that I'm startled by a squeal of delight from the backseat - Corinna thinks she just saw a... [Read article]
I'm coming up on PREDA Intersection and 7,000 feet on my departure from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. The Tiger snaps left on Bahamas Route 70V toward Freeport, and I'm concentrating so intently that I'm startled by a squeal of delight from the backseat - Corinna thinks she just saw a... [Read article]
ATC In The USA
"Tulsa Clearance Delivery, Warrior eight-three-three-zero-uniform depart runway three-six right, turn right heading one-two-zero via Fort Smith VOR and Little Rock VOR, climb and maintain 7500 feet, contact Tulsa Departure Control on one-one-niner-point-one, squawking one-seven-niner-three," "Cherokee eight-three-three-zero-uniform, readback correct, contact ground control one-two-one-point-niner when ready." So begins a standard VFR flight from Tulsa... [Read article]
"Tulsa Clearance Delivery, Warrior eight-three-three-zero-uniform depart runway three-six right, turn right heading one-two-zero via Fort Smith VOR and Little Rock VOR, climb and maintain 7500 feet, contact Tulsa Departure Control on one-one-niner-point-one, squawking one-seven-niner-three," "Cherokee eight-three-three-zero-uniform, readback correct, contact ground control one-two-one-point-niner when ready." So begins a standard VFR flight from Tulsa... [Read article]
Land And Hold Short
According to the FAA, "LAHSO is an aviation procedure that has been used safely since 1968. . .LAHSO have been refined through years of operational experience and cooperation among the FAA, airlines, pilots and controllers". The Hold Short Point beyond which a landing aircraft with a LAHSO clearance is not authorized... [Read article]
According to the FAA, "LAHSO is an aviation procedure that has been used safely since 1968. . .LAHSO have been refined through years of operational experience and cooperation among the FAA, airlines, pilots and controllers". The Hold Short Point beyond which a landing aircraft with a LAHSO clearance is not authorized... [Read article]
Special Use Airspaces In The USA
There's a saying, or at least there should be, in American aviation, and it goes something like this: "Just one F-16 streaking at Mach speed 500 feet over your head can ruin your day." It was for this very reason that my buddy Kees and I were somewhat alarmed last... [Read article]
There's a saying, or at least there should be, in American aviation, and it goes something like this: "Just one F-16 streaking at Mach speed 500 feet over your head can ruin your day." It was for this very reason that my buddy Kees and I were somewhat alarmed last... [Read article]
VFR Sectional SUA Symbology
Staring at an American VFR Sectional, it's nice to know what to look for in the category of, "Things denoting places I shouldn't be". Here's a primer: MOAs On VFR Sectional charts, an MOA is denoted by a hatched magenta line surrounding the area. On the inside cover or bottom margin... [Read article]
Staring at an American VFR Sectional, it's nice to know what to look for in the category of, "Things denoting places I shouldn't be". Here's a primer: MOAs On VFR Sectional charts, an MOA is denoted by a hatched magenta line surrounding the area. On the inside cover or bottom margin... [Read article]
Flying In To See A Shuttle Launch
Many a pilot/space junkie wants desperately to view a space shuttle launch from the comfort and luxury of a GA aircraft, which is fine unless you try and get close enough to see anything in particular, at which time you're in violation of a number of restricted airspaces and warning areas, and are likely... [Read article]
Many a pilot/space junkie wants desperately to view a space shuttle launch from the comfort and luxury of a GA aircraft, which is fine unless you try and get close enough to see anything in particular, at which time you're in violation of a number of restricted airspaces and warning areas, and are likely... [Read article]
A Journey Over The Alps
The automated weather station, straddling a rocky point 800 feet below my left window, is at the top of the Zugspitze, the highest mountain in Germany. My altimeter tells me I'm leaving 11,000 for 11,500 feet. Seeing something so close when I'm so high, even in D-EHMB, the C-172 I've... [Read article]
The automated weather station, straddling a rocky point 800 feet below my left window, is at the top of the Zugspitze, the highest mountain in Germany. My altimeter tells me I'm leaving 11,000 for 11,500 feet. Seeing something so close when I'm so high, even in D-EHMB, the C-172 I've... [Read article]
If You Go Over The Alps...
There's almost no difference between travel in Germany and Austria for Americans or UK subjects. Here is some practical information for your reference, should you make the journey. CONTACT NUMBERS Augsburg Airport Tower: 0821 270 8143 Innsbruck Airport 43-512-225 25303 Munich Weather Brief: + 49 89 1593 8135 COSTS Munich Flyers... [Read article]
There's almost no difference between travel in Germany and Austria for Americans or UK subjects. Here is some practical information for your reference, should you make the journey. CONTACT NUMBERS Augsburg Airport Tower: 0821 270 8143 Innsbruck Airport 43-512-225 25303 Munich Weather Brief: + 49 89 1593 8135 COSTS Munich Flyers... [Read article]
US Weather Briefing For Pilots
The average Englishman's preoccupation with weather is surpassed, it would seem, only by the weather-obsessed American aviation community. In fact, a pilot wishing to take to the US skies has such a bewildering number of weather information options at his disposal that it's almost self-caricature - and all, of course,... [Read article]
The average Englishman's preoccupation with weather is surpassed, it would seem, only by the weather-obsessed American aviation community. In fact, a pilot wishing to take to the US skies has such a bewildering number of weather information options at his disposal that it's almost self-caricature - and all, of course,... [Read article]
Telling Your ASOS From Your Elbow
The federal Automated Surface Observation System, or ASOS, is installed at more than 900 airports throughout the USA. The confusing thing is that ASOS sounds a lot and acts a lot like AWOS and ATIS - respectively Automated Weather Observation System and Automated Terminal Information System. And then there's HIWAS... [Read article]
The federal Automated Surface Observation System, or ASOS, is installed at more than 900 airports throughout the USA. The confusing thing is that ASOS sounds a lot and acts a lot like AWOS and ATIS - respectively Automated Weather Observation System and Automated Terminal Information System. And then there's HIWAS... [Read article]
Like The Weather? Take The Tour!
Any pilot wishing to have a guided tour through a Flight Service Station is welcomed, and in fact the FAA has launched an effort to get more pilots to take them up on the offer. One of the busiest and most interesting in the country is the New York Automated Flight... [Read article]
Any pilot wishing to have a guided tour through a Flight Service Station is welcomed, and in fact the FAA has launched an effort to get more pilots to take them up on the offer. One of the busiest and most interesting in the country is the New York Automated Flight... [Read article]
Orlando Gets A Hostel
Sun-bronzed guests lounge by the pool. Others mingle by the lake, some splashing by in pedal-boats. The fountain gurgles. But as new guests check in, the document that desk clerks ask for is not a passport. It's a hostel card. This is Hostelling International's latest experiment: the HI Orlando Resort.... [Read article]
Sun-bronzed guests lounge by the pool. Others mingle by the lake, some splashing by in pedal-boats. The fountain gurgles. But as new guests check in, the document that desk clerks ask for is not a passport. It's a hostel card. This is Hostelling International's latest experiment: the HI Orlando Resort.... [Read article]
