Flight Training Articles

Cessna 421C Engine Start the Right Way
Rick McGuire, an instructor at Aircraft Simulator Training, shows you the right way to start the geared engines in the Cessna 421C. Aircraft Simulator owns, trains and teaches the systems on the Cessna 421C and starting the engines must be done a specific way.

AST Video of Cessna 340 Engine Start
Aircraft Simulator Training instructor Rick McGuire shows how we start our twin engine Cessna 340 – and there is no such thing as “hot starts” in our aircraft – it’s First Time – Every Time. In the video, Rick shows a student the basic procedure of starting a twin engine piston aircraft.

Oh, Those Terrible Twin Cessna Gear “Swings”
It is simple to swing that gear and get it working perfectly. Just follow the video on the Internet. Anyone can do it and after you get it “swung” it all works perfectly and you will have three greens on the gear each time you put that gear down. Don’t believe that. There is more to a

FAA Accident Prevention: So Why Is It Not Working?
I have taken approximately fifteen “plus” CFI renewals. It is required every two years. Years ago it was simple. Just like anything else with the FAA it has gotten harder and harder with more studying on the chapters. It takes in time about 2 plus days if the study material was totaled up on an

Even The Maintenance Experts Do Not Understand Aircraft Tires, Brakes, and Usage
The following is a quote from the FAA. I do not know what it is going to take to teach pilots how to handle braking because even Mike Busch, listed as a maintenance expert, does not understand how to brake an aircraft. There are so many factors in stopping an aircraft. These factors are weight,

I Need A Lift – The History And Problems Of The Spalling Lifters On The Big Bore Continental Engines.
If you fly a “big bore” Continental engines you have a problems waiting inside. These engines are notorious for lifter failure. This is a problem due to “spalling.” So, what is spalling and what causes it on metal lifters. Spalling is defined as: “Metal spalling is a process of metallic surface failure in which the

IFR and VFR Rules: What is the Problem in Being “Called on the Carpet” by the FAA if You Deviate
I recent wrote an article on how to prevent exposure to the “government” especially when we fly. One of the major problems is when we are thrown into governmental control and we are operating under a tighter set of rules. An example of this is when you are flying under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) rather than

My Take on The Pressurized Twin Cessna Line
340/340A (BOTH ARE THE SAME) The 340 is probably the best of the best of the Twin Cessna line. It is easy to fly and easy to manage on the ground. With the 4 puck brakes it stops quicker and is easy to maneuver on the ground. It does not have bad gear problems. You

