Answers for Pilots
This site is built with the goal of collaborating aviation related questions and answers into a single dedicated and searchable index. Through a user generated Q&A database we strive to deliver accurate information on an array of aviation topics. Answers for Pilots can only be as helpful as the individuals contributing so an active community is essential. Visitors are encouraged to get involved in our community by creating an account, asking a question, answering an open question, or by contributing to our aviation blog. It should be stressed that there is no such thing as a “dumb question” when it comes to flight. This point is better illustrated by a recent experience of mine. Upon passing my Private Pilots License check ride, the designated flight examiner handed me my certificate and said, “This is your license to learn.” It is something that I had given little thought to in the past, but he helped me realize that as pilots; we are all in a trade of lifetime education. There is ALWAYS something new to be learned about aviation, and there is no such thing as knowing it all. I would like to take a moment however to caution users. Unfortunately our strongest point is also our largest downfall. The fact that anyone can answer a question may lead to inaccuracies or incorrectness. In aviation there is little room for error, and the Pilot in Command (PIC) should always make decisions with a direct effect on the safe operation of a flight. We do however have multiple safeguards in place to help ensure the accuracy of our information. Visitors can post more than one answer to a question, comment on each other’s questions or answers, rate answers, and vote for a favorite answer. These features were introduced in our most recent update, and should serve to improve our quality of content.
Please understand this site is an ongoing project, and your input is crucial to its success. Visitors are encouraged to use either the feedback button on the sidebar, or our contact form to relay any suggestions and/or inquiries to the sites owner.
The Blog
The Answers for Pilots blog is where I share aviation tidbits on a plethora of subjects, and occasionally introduce a guest blogger to our readers. My blogs cover anything from current news in aviation to Aircraft Icing Safety. I also write special blog posts for questions that I think require more detail to answer, you can request an in-depth answer here. Finally I would like to mention that I am looking for aviation guest bloggers. If you have a passion for aviation and love writing, please read our guest blogger guidelines to see if you are interested in sharing your thoughts on our site. This is a great way to write about something you feel passionately towards and share it with an active community of pilots.
James Sullivan
I’m an 19 year old Private Pilot, and freshman at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach FL (1/31/11). I received my license a few days after my birthday at the minimum age of seventeen, and after two years of flight training. I took my checkride, and the majority of my flight lessons in a 1977 Cessna 172N. I am currently a dual major at Riddle in a fast-track five year program for an M.B.A. and a B.S. Aeronautical Studies. I have minors of Aviation Safety, and Aerospace Science. I am currently employed as Student Assistant to the Director of Aviation Safety, David Zwegers, here at Riddle. I originally aspired to the career of airline pilot – but with recent industry downturn I settled on a job with more security.
During the summer of 2009 I worked as the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) youngest intern ever. I worked in the Pilot Information Center to write, edit, and update their aviation subject reports on a variety of flight related topics. It was an incredible learning experience as well as a nice taste of corporate life. I noticed that the AOPA was lacking an important learning tool, this being an indexed question and answer format database for users to collaborate on. With this in mind I began developing Answers for Pilots over the summer of 09, and it has steadily grown since.
I am interested in all things aviation and business, and I take every opportunity I can to learn something new in my field. I would love to collaborate with individuals on any budding aviation projects, and I am constantly looking work in the industry. If you would like to learn more about me please feel free to read my resume, or contact me.
Sam Sullivan
Sam is my younger brother by three years, and he is responsible for all of the coding and design, and is doing an impressive job. My role has been solely content, and planning. If there is anything you would like to know, or if you have a suggestion about the site please contact him at sam [at] answersforpilots [dot] com. Sam is also very interested in freelance web development, and coding. He currently is learning Java, and aims to code applications for the Android market. I also have an older brother Kevin Sullivan who is attending RPI for Computer Systems Engineering, and Computer Science.
Susan Terrell
Susan Terrell is a writer, passionate aviation enthusiast, and at the age of 55, finally a student pilot. She lives 6 miles East and in the flight path of RDD, in Palo Cedro, California, and loves having airplanes buzz her house. Living with her is an indulgent and understanding husband, two horses and five cats who out of necessity don’t mind airplanes buzzing the house either. She writes for “In Flight USA”; tries to do her part to promote General Aviation whenever possible; edits the Utah Backcountry Pilots Association newsletter; has a soft spot in her heart for Cessna’s, WWII aviation veterans as well as backcountry/mountain pilots; and is working on her dream writing project – a book about inspirational pilots. Her writing research has offered her hours of personal conversation with varied aviators ranging from Bob Hoover, to the late Sparky Imeson, to the everyday pilots who are the backbone and heart of GA in America. She has stories to share not only about them, but about her adventures as a finally official … student pilot. You can read all posts by Susan Terrell here.