Vector Online

Read our special 'online' Vector stories here. Some are unique to the website, and some have featured in print issues of Vector.

Note: This archive dates back to 2015. So, the advice in some of the earlier articles may have changed.

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Vector Technical: Knowing the hallmarks of vortex ring state

This is the first in a new series called Vector Technical, which you'll be able to access in the category filter of the Vector Online landing page.

Posted in Vector Technical, Rotary operations, Instruction instructors and training, Agricultural operations, Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism, Preflight and postflight,

Posted 33 hours ago

Dawn of the Tāwhaki era

Unmanned aircraft crews now have a dedicated bit of New Zealand airspace in which to test their cutting-edge aircraft.

Posted in Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism, Airspace, Aircraft owner and aircraft,

Posted 38 days ago

Near collision on take-off

An itinerant pilot learned the hard way that checking the AIP at an unfamiliar aerodrome could be a lifesaver.

Posted in Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism, When things go wrong, Aerodromes,

Posted 52 days ago

What could go wrong?

I learned about distraction in IMC from this. A few years ago, a Cessna I jointly owned was sold, and I bought a Cirrus G2 2004 to replace it.

Posted in Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism, When things go wrong,

Posted 2 months ago

Training in marginal weather

A student pilot describes his first flight in windy weather with patchy rain. What does he learn?

Posted in Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism, Weather, General safety,

Posted 4 months ago

A pilot's best friend or worst enemy?

How you implement tech in the cockpit determines its usefulness and safety.

Posted in Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism, General safety,

Posted 5 months ago

Posted in Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism, Aerodromes, Airspace,

Posted 5 months ago

Test flights for aircraft modifications

Lots of aircraft get modified so they can undertake new activities. The CAA has now made it more straightforward to apply for flight tests and related approvals.

Posted in Aircraft owner and aircraft, Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism,

Posted 5 months ago

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Vector Technical: Knowing the hallmarks of vortex ring state

Dawn of the Tāwhaki era

Near collision on take-off

What could go wrong?

Training in marginal weather

A pilot's best friend or worst enemy?

Out of the blue

Fatal distraction

Bullets, shrapnel, and military drones

Test flights for aircraft modifications