WWW.Flightquest.NET
Dedicated to the dream of flight
and the pursuit of flying excellence
This is also the home page for Steven H. Philipson
Last update: Oct-1-2007
Most recent changes: Added page on Instrument Flying.
Updated Learn to Fly, Safety Presentations and Links pages.
Learn to Fly!
Interested in learning to fly airplanes or gliders? The following
two articles contain information to get you started.
Learn to Fly (14 Kbytes)
Learn to Soar (18 Kbytes)
Instrument Flying
Are you considering an instrument rating? Here's the info you need to get started.
The Instrument Rating (24 Kbytes)
Flying, the Day After
Everyone knows what happened on September 11, 2001. In the wake of the
attacks all US civil aircraft were grounded except for some emergency
and humanitarian flights. On September 12, I was tasked as a Civil Air
Patrol pilot to transport several boxes of human blood from the San
Francisco Bay area to Portland, Oregon. Many people have asked me how
it was to fly that day. Here's a writeup of that mission.
Flying, the Day After
Rules of Thumb for Mountain Flying
In 1998 the Civil Air Patrol commisioned a team to develop a new
training course for mountain search flying. I was part of the "Mountain
Fury Process Action Team" that developed the course. One of my
contributions was a short (two-page) list of rules of thumb for
mountain flying. This list
includes both well known and new original information on mountain flying
techniques and calculations for estimating performance of light single
engine (non-turbocharged) aircraft at typical mountain flight altitudes.
One of my safety presentations explains the use of and principles behind
this list. Many people have requested copies of this list. It is
presented here for their perusal.
WARNING! Use this info at your
own risk! Mountain Flying is not for beginners! Get some training
before you venture into high terrain on your own!
Rules of Thumb for Mountain Flying (6 Kbytes)
Mountain Wave for Air Traffic Contollers
Several recent incidents have demonstrated that many Air Traffic Control
Specialists don't know very much about mountain wave, nor about how it
presents a hazard to light airplanes. A common feature of many wave
accidents is the issuance of ineffective or harmful instructions from ATC.
This article provides information on mountain wave taylored for ATC
specialists so that they may be better able to provide assistance to
aircraft in distress and help avert unncessary accidents.
Mountain Wave for the ATC Specialist (26 Kbytes)
Mountain Wave for Pilots
Mountain Wave is an atmospheric phenomenon which can present an
extreme hazard to the operation of aircraft. Light aircraft are
particularly susceptible. This article examines the problem and shows
how glider "speed-to-fly" theory can be applied to airplane operation
to increase efficiency and safety of flight.
Mountain Wave and Speed-to-Fly for Light Airplanes (13 Kbytes)
Safety Presentations
Do you need a speaker on aviaton for your pilot or civic group?
Feel free to contact me for information, or click below for a list
of my presentations on aviation safety.
Aviation Safety Presentations
Wave Flying Fun!
Have you ever imagined what's it's like to fly a glider to 30,000
plus feet of altitude in mountain wave conditions? Here's a
tounge-in-cheek look at the "joys" of the experience!
Enjoy Wave Flying Anywhere!
A Glider "Landout" Story
Is glider flying fun? You bet it is! And so is landing in a field
in the middle of nowhere. Well, maybe not. Here's a little poem that
tells the tale of one such experience.
The Joy of Soaring?
Useful Links
Here's a list of web pages which I find so useful that I want to
be able to access them wherever I am. You can use them too!
Steve's List of Useful Links
About Steve
Steve Philipson is a pilot who wears many hats. He's a veteran of some
24 years and 6,000 hours of flying experience who holds commercial and
Gold Seal instructor certificates for airplane single and multi-engine
land, instrument airplane, and glider. He's been a SAR (search and
rescue) pilot and safety officer with the Civil Air Patrol for 18 years.
Steve's also an independent aviation researcher and author with published
work on flying airplanes in mountain wave conditions and mountain search
flying. In addition, he's an FAA designated Aviation Safety Counselor who
regularly delivers presentations on aviation safety.
Steven H. Philipson
936 Erica Drive
Sunnyvale, CA 94086-8211
USA
408-530-9584
click here to:
send mail to Steve (Please remove the < no-spam > in the e-mail address)
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