The IMSAFE Checklist: Assessing Pilot Fitness
Airplanes are only as safe as the pilot flying them. At KCAK, where Cirrus training flights mix with business trips and weekend getaways, it’s easy to forget the most important pre-flight inspection: yourself. That’s where IMSAFE comes in.
Understanding Density Altitude and Its Dangers
With temperatures in the 90s, density altitude (DA) can climb beyond 3,000 feet. That single number quietly reshapes the entire takeoff.
Weight and Balance: Why “Just a Few Pounds” Matter
Weight and balance are not just math problems—they’re life-or-death calculations. Even at KCAK, with a field elevation of 1220 summer density altitudes and long cross-country loads can expose just how sensitive an airplane can be to small overloads.
Fuel Management Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Running out of fuel is one of the most preventable mistakes in general aviation. Yet it happens far too often. At KCAK, with its mix of training flights and cross-country departures, pilots sometimes cut corners when it comes to fuel planning.
Every Safe Flight at KCAK Starts on the Ramp
A pre-flight inspection isn’t a formality—it’s your chance to stop problems before they ever leave the ground. On a hot, stormy Ohio day, the airplane can look fine from ten feet away yet hide issues that matter at 70 knots.