flying - rsmck

NATS AFPEx Mac

This page is probably only useful to GA pilots in the UK, if you don't know what NATS or AFPEx is then you're in the wrong place! AFPEx is the UK service offered by NATS as a gateway into the AFTN for filing flight

aviation

Living Aviation Art, the METARchart

The chart is illuminated by individual LEDs at each airport that change colour to reflect the weather at each airfield in near real-time much like the map on popular EFB applications. See the weather locally, and further afield, at a glance.

aviation

Cleared for Takeoff?

I am not an epidemiologist, just someone with a good understanding of risk assessment and generally pragmatic approach putting a few personal thoughts out there on re-opening some of the things we love aiming to provoke discussion, and how General Aviation can perhaps safely return to the skies.

security

Security Theatre and the Airport

I've previously ranted about "security theatre" that we all suffer every time we fly anywhere so imagine my surprise that I write this airside at a major airport holding a bag that's not been X-rayed... how did I get here? That this

flying

Transavia, KLM and a couple of bags...

Some people will know I've had issues with KLM in the past specifically when their policy was to allow aircraft to depart with exit rows unoccupied; a situation EASA believe represents "an inadequate level of safety". Despite this, they're one of only

flying

G-BNHG, thank you.

Today was my last flight in G-BNHG, the aircraft I flew my first ever solo flight in. Unfortunately, it's likely had one too many hard landings at the hands of students like myself – the front oleo collapsed and, since it's spent almost 12,000

flying

First Solo

Firstly, I hate selfies... and photos of me in general, but this is a moment I don't want to forget... Sitting on the taxiway for the first time, in a

security

Security Theatre, Brussels and Beyond.

Somewhat shocked by Brussels today... and, especially since I know people there just now, my thoughts are with all those caught up in it :( Although, as I've intimated to a few close friends for many years but not been stupid enough to put on

flying

the lighter side

Considering another path to the skies — microlights. Yet again, this should probably have been written in 2010 (much like my first article) but this blog didn’t exist at the

flying

Self-Help Exits on KLM

This article was originally posted elsewhere in Late 2015 I recently had cause to complain to KLM about something which, to me, was a safety concern. My concerns were completely ignored by KLM, despite parroting the usual line about safety being their top priority,

flying

a journey skywards…

Originally posted on Medium, so although it says "I no longer maintain a blog", I clearly do... As many friends, family and acquaintances will know I recently embarked