Soaring Eagle Flight Instruction

ATC does an amazing job of working to keep us safe in a crazy busy way! Thank you to all controllers.

THE LANDLINE: Explained! No, they’re not always turned around eating donuts. ATC is frequently coordinating between themselves to help your flight move safely and efficiently. This example demonstrates the formal coordination process by which air traffic controllers use to ensure it’s safe to issue you a control instruction before you enter their airspace. #pilotedge #atc #airtrafficcontrol #landline #aviation #airline #pilot #avgeek #aviator #controltower #tracon #enroute #atcs #atct #flightschool #learntofly #beatc #radar #ifr #pilottraining #airlinepilot #flightcrew

Another thrilling discovery flight today! Always so much fun!

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The sunsets are beautiful in the desert. Check out this special my friend is running from Desert Sky Aviation. Book a sunset flight and see the desert from above in his super clean Skylane

Finish 18 holes early then go for a flight by lunch! Or maybe a flight early then end the day at the 19th hole. Your preference.

This is why we talk about the different risks, including this real risk while taxiing. Flying the airplane starts when the master switch turns on.

A soft-field takeoff involves raising the nose quickly to achieve a high angle of attack and minimize drag. This technique requires substantial forward pressure to maintain the airplane’s low position in ground effect to ensure sufficient airspeed prior to climb.

I always stress the importance of how much forward pressure is needed to keep the airplane low over the runway and truly in ground effect as speed increases. I’m always happy to hear when there are zero fatalities or injuries as in this case.

Early Rotation, Early Stall in San Juan
Final Report: Piper PA-28-181 N4187U, 21 July 2025, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 0 Injuries

This event took place late morning at Isla Grande in San Juan under typical VFR Caribbean conditions. The Piper PA-28-181 Archer, N4187U, departed Runway 9 on what was supposed to be a straightforward solo training flight. The student pilot was on her second solo, cleared to stay in the pattern and, if she felt up to it, practice soft- and short-field techniques.

She had 43 total hours, with only 0.6 hours of solo PIC time. The aircraft itself was a standard training Archer with recent inspections and no known discrepancies. Nothing in the setup suggested a mechanical issue.

On takeoff, the student chose a soft-field technique, applying back-pressure early and lifting off into ground effect before building airspeed. Airport video showed the pitch attitude on rotation was significantly higher than normal. Instead of staying low to accelerate, the aircraft climbed in a steep nose-high attitude and quickly fell behind the power curve.

As the Archer drifted left of centerline, the student applied right rudder. With low airspeed and a high angle of attack, the yaw and excessive pitch resulted in an aerodynamic stall. The airplane rolled and yawed left before descending into a nearby parking lot, sustaining substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. There was no fire, and the student pilot was not injured. No one on the ground was harmed.

The NTSB investigated the accident as a non-travel case. Wreckage examination found no pre-impact mechanical failures. Control continuity was confirmed, the engine showed no anomalies, and maintenance records were in order. With no weather or aircraft issues identified, the investigation focused on the takeoff sequence captured on video.

The investigation concluded that an excessive pitch attitude during takeoff led to an aerodynamic stall and loss of control shortly after liftoff. Contributing factors included low solo experience, increased workload, and the decision to perform a soft-field takeoff with minimal margin for error.