What Really Happened Aboard Air France 447?

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/aviation/crashes/what-really-happened-aboard-air-france-447-6611877

This is a really great article about pitch and power and their mismanagement, about CRM - Crew Resource Management - and the lack thereof, and also about a possible design flaw by one of the two largest aircraft manufactures in the world.  I was truly amazed after I read this article.

Read the comments section also.  One in particular about flight deck procedures which clarifies who should have been in charge.

This article demonstrates a series of incidents and causal factors which led to the final outcome.  As we all have heard and possibly know, it is not just one thing that leads to a disaster like this.

What do you think?

Pratul - The newly minted Private Pilot

Congratulations to Pratul who passed his checkride on Friday Dec. 2! 

Pratul was determined to finsh at the beginning of the year.  But with unforeseen weather delays and then his wife having a baby in March , he found staying up nights with the little one and then going to work left little time for flying, much less sleep.  But Pratul persevered, and when things were stabilized at home he came back and finished up with the examiner saying he did a very good job.  Way to go Pratul!




(PS  did I mention he and his wife did this as a joint committment with first her getting her license, then it was his turn.  What teamwork).

First Solo!

Congratulations to Will who soloed on Nov. 26th.  There was barely enough light left in the day, but he was determined.  Will's solo was over due as weather and scheduling had postponed it a few times.  But he must have been fairly sure this would be the day as his friend/professional film maker and photograper joined us on the flight!  He was able to capture the entire first solo on video.