Category: General

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Renaming an aircraft

If you ever wondered what is involved to rename an aircraft…

  • Follow the process as described by the FAA
    • Tip: When you check for available N-numbers, you may also want to check the number(s) you like against the NTSB or ASN database…
  • Once you’re ready to make the change, get your new decals from a service specialized on aircraft decals, e.g. Aerographics is the one we used several times and are very happy
  • Applying the new decals and obtaining both new airworthiness and registration certificates from the FAA is one thing, but don’t forget about your avionics: ADS-B / XPDR and ELT will have to be reconfigured – don’t underestimate effort, time and costs to get those tasks taken care of by your favorite avionics shop
  • Eventually you also need to update the logbooks, make sure ADS-B trackers like e.g. FlightAware and FlightRadar24 are updated, be sure the NOAA is aware of the ELT change, and don’t forget to inform the CBP in case you have a border-crossing decal on your plane

Happy flying!

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AOPA Pilot Passport

You are encouraged to participate in AOPA’s recurring Pilot Passport program – have fun, expand your experience, and earn badges by exploring the airports in WA and beyond!

However, please do not take unnecessary risks by flying into airports with potentially insufficient runway length (a runway may be long enough to land, but takeoff distances usually require more runway), especially in combination with obstacles like trees or sharp rising terrain near the airport.

As for the surface, this is also a gentle reminder of Renter/Student Ops Manual regulation 5.6 – Runway Requirements – and 5.6E in particular: “Operations into any field other than paved surfaces (soft, gravel, sand, grass, etc.) are prohibited unless prior approval is obtained from the Director of Operations, Chief or Assistant Chief Flight Instructor.“

Soft fields can hide a number of hazards like

  • potholes or rocks in the grass,
  • gravel causing very expensive prop damage
  • mud is the last thing you want to get stuck in during landing or trying to get out of on takeoff.

    These are all unnecessary problems, and therefore all soft-field exercises should be simulated on paved taxiways and runways .

Soft-field landing in our Twin Stars are not allowed at all; it’s not part of multi-engine training anyway.

Thank you for your understanding and helping keep our planes in the condition you wish to find them when you want to go fly!

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Drinks in the cockpit

Two inflight engine shut downs in early 2020 have prompted Airbus and EASA to order changes to how liquids are consumed (or not) on the flight deck. A drink spilled on the center console of a Delta flight required a diversion, and an Asiana flight diverted after a similar spill. 

Hydration is important, especially on X/C flights – but needless to say, spilled drinks into or onto any cockpit components can lead to both inflight issues, major clean-up/MX costs, and aircraft downtimes.

Please be mindful – only bring travel mugs or other containers that can be fully closed, and make sure passengers of yours do the same.

Non-carbonated water is still the best way stay hydrated on any flight.