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Articles by John E. McLain

Prior to his retirement as a career flight instructor, John McLain accrued over 18,000 flight hours of which more than 13,000 were dual given. He has conducted over 4000 flight tests in his twenty-five years as a designated pilot examiner. These articles first appeared in The Southern Aviator and are reprinted with John's permission.

Slips and Skids: An explanation of the terms is necessary
August 1, 2001 – 5:40 pm | Comments Off on Slips and Skids: An explanation of the terms is necessary

My two articles concerning yaw, its effects and its control seem to have aroused considerable interest among our readers. I have received quite a few e-mail messages and telephone calls regarding them. While I have …

Memorizing answers for a test is not the same as being taught by those with practical experience
July 1, 2001 – 4:16 pm | Comments Off on Memorizing answers for a test is not the same as being taught by those with practical experience

If they can pass the tests, they get the certificate.
That seems to be the mentality of management people in the field of education today. SATs, standardized student level test, and the like seem to be …

Understanding the use of rudder: Its most important use is preventing yaw
June 1, 2001 – 9:57 pm | Comments Off on Understanding the use of rudder: Its most important use is preventing yaw

I have been writing for The Southern Aviator and its predecessors for close to 15 years. Coming up with a fresh subject each month is often more difficult than the writing. I have now decided …

Pilot Controller cooperation: Give the controller only the information he needs (Part 2)
March 1, 2001 – 3:48 pm | Comments Off on Pilot Controller cooperation: Give the controller only the information he needs (Part 2)

Last month, I discussed some ideas on pilots cooperating with air traffic controllers to make life and work easier for everyone operating in the ATC system. I presented some operating procedures controllers use, and how …

Pilot Controller cooperation: Learn to talk the talk and walk the walk for better service
February 1, 2001 – 3:44 pm | Comments Off on Pilot Controller cooperation: Learn to talk the talk and walk the walk for better service

By the time you read this article, the Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) control tower will have held its Operation Rain Check on Feb. 3-4, 2001. Operation Rain Check, an FAA safety program held throughout the …

How I see it: Three flying resolutions for the new year
January 1, 2001 – 4:19 pm | Comments Off on How I see it: Three flying resolutions for the new year

In the year 2001 I will achieve the following in my aviation career: Forty years as a certificated pilot, 36 years as a certified flight instructor, and 22 years as a pilot examiner. Along the …