Here we are in a wonderful modern age, with amazing avionics that show where we are down to the sub-meter, 3-D synthetic vision, fly-by-wire flight controls that can save us from flying badly and even (well, almost) flying cars. Yet the FAA still cannot publish a Notice to Airmen that isn't unnecessarily incomprehensible. Come on! Isn't it time to get with the program and write these important safety documents in a form of English that your average human pilot can actually read and understand?
Indulge me with an example, pictured above. This was issued on December 14. I will summarize its key element in one sentence: "Foreign-registered aircraft that weigh 100,309 poundsor less will require a TSA waiver to fly through U.S. airspace."
Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.
More In Safety
