Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 15, 2025

These would guide them when they couldn’t see anything outside their airplane. Approach Minimums When youre flying in bad weather and cant see much, you can rely on your trusty instruments to guide you. Theyre pretty much the same thing, but heres the difference: DH is measured above the ground (AGL).

Approach

Air Facts

JUNE 30, 2025

The OV-10 was a great airplane, but it wasn’t pressurized or air conditioned. I followed along as we filed our flight plan, got the weather and intel briefings, and picked up our charts. Binoculars were a vital FAC tool, especially when flying at 5,000–6,000 feet AGL. The weather was bad—low visibility and smoke.

Weather

Pilot Institute

APRIL 22, 2025

You may pilot aircraft with a Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) of 1320 pounds, carry no more than one passenger, and fly only during the daytime up to 10,000 feet MSL (or 2,000 AGL). A great option for that is taking an interactive ground school, such as the private airplane pilot course on Pilotinstitute.com. Multiengine land.

Pilot

Air Facts

JULY 18, 2025

My instructor kept pulling the yoke aft as the airplane shrieked in protest, the stall warning screaming louder than any siren I’d heard before. Then, as the G-forces eased and the airplane began to recover, I saw the tallest pine branch pass by the window, its needles seemingly watching us in alarm. But no words came out.

AGL

Pilot Institute

APRIL 22, 2025

Ground reference maneuvers aim to train you to accurately control your airplane under various wind conditions. Youll want to perform any ground reference maneuver between 600 and 1000 feet Above Ground Level (AGL). Be respectful, and remember that your airplane makes a lot of noise. For this turn, use a moderate bank angle.

Crosswind

Pilot Institute

JULY 30, 2025

Just imagine a pilot trying to navigate his airplane through terrain while blindfolded with no instruments. By comparing this pressure to sea level pressure, we can determine the drone’s altitude (either MSL or AGL ). Why Is the IMU Important? As the drone goes up or down, barometers detect changes in air pressure.

Stability

Flying Magazine

JULY 25, 2025

That means constantly scanning for terrain, traffic, and weather while maintaining orientation and navigating using visual landmarks. Disable unlimited fuel and play with different weather and weight-and-balance factors to see how they impact flight characteristics. Fly the airplane you will or do fly in reality. Time to divert.

Cockpit

Flying Magazine

JULY 8, 2025

As a commercial photographer in Wichita, eventually you’ll see an airplane through your camera,” Bowen quipped. The photo platform varies, but Bowen said it is very important that the photo aircraft is capable of matching the speed of the subject airplane. Bowen’s career as an aviation photographer began in the 1970s. “As

Airplanes

AV Web

DECEMBER 11, 2024

The airplane was even able to taxi off the runway and to the ramp under its own power. Your second reactionwhich actually should be part of the initial oneshould be to establish the best engine-out glide airspeed and ensure the airplane is aerodynamically clean: gear and flaps up, cowl flaps closed. Or all three.

Runway

Flying Magazine

MAY 27, 2025

There was an overcast at 1,300 agl (1,850 msl), but no precipitation and good visibility below the clouds. Immediately after takeoff, when the airplane is both nose up and accelerating, the normal uphill sensation of climbing is magnified, especially in powerful airplanes that gain speed rapidly. The weather was benign.

Pilot

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 6, 2024

Maybe it’s the Georgia flying weather, or maybe it’s the ever-increasing emphasis on “old” pilot instead of “bold” pilot, but it seems that flight planning these days is a lot more about if and when than about route and altitude. But if I was going VFR over strange territory, I would want lots more than 1,000 feet agl.

Airplanes

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 14, 2025

No airplane or helicopter traffic No helicopter traffic No airplane traffic Correct! Of what value is the Weather Depiction Chart to the pilot? For determining general weather conditions on which to base flight planning Correct! 3,823 feet MSL the surface 700 feet AGL Correct! Refer to Figure 82.) 080 magnetic.

Altimeter

iPad Pilot News

JUNE 7, 2024

ForeFlight adds wake turbulence alerts iPad Pilot News Datalink weather stole the show when portable ADS-B technology debuted over a decade ago, providing pilots with free in-flight weather imagery in mobile apps like ForeFlight. As a result, midair collisions are down significantly.

Turbulence

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 27, 2024

FAA weather charts can help for higher altitudes but when just a few thousand feet agl, they may be less useful. Great Falls weather is fair and warm. Anything in the airplane not tied down floated, even dust from the flight deck carpet, then slammed to the nearest surface moments later as we were caught by the next wave.

Turbulence

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024

Before you write this off as some academic debate, remember that most mid-air collisions happen during the day, in good weather, in or near the traffic pattern. That, more than anything, explains the growing popularity of the teardrop: the traditional midfield crosswind is pretty hard to pull off with six airplanes in the pattern.

Crosswind

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 1, 2024

I cursed my decision to depart in developing low weather, but the only choice now was to press on through the crud, dodging cellular towers lining the highway. A call to home base for a land-supported retrieval provided ample opportunity for explanation in response to my peers’ interrogation: “What were you thinking, flying in this weather?”

Weather

Flying Magazine

MAY 10, 2024

Regulations: 15 to 25 percent Airspace and requirements: 15 to 25 percent Weather: 11 to 16 percent Loading and performance: 7 to 11 percent Operations: 35 to 45 percent FAA Part 107 Test Cost The cost of the Part 107 exam is $175, which you pay to the testing center when you schedule a date, time, and location for the exam.

Weight-Shift-Control

Air Facts

MARCH 28, 2025

Buffalo Hunting With Airplanes Air Facts Journal This is not a Wild West story involving Buffalo Bill. After checking the NOTAMS, the weather, and filing my flight plan, I stepped into the Intel Shop for my pre-mission briefing. The post Buffalo Hunting With Airplanes appeared first on Air Facts Journal.

Airplanes

iPad Pilot News

DECEMBER 17, 2024

Both apps have all the features and capabilities to feel right at home in the cockpit of a student pilot learning to fly, while simultaneously meeting the needs of professional pilots flying turbine airplanes. It also activates the split-screen view and displays the emergency checklist for your airplane.

Pilot

Flying Magazine

MAY 15, 2024

It can also be dangerous when the learner drops the airplane to fly the checklist or radio, so practice in the ATD is often a good way to learn procedures, as the ATD is a CFI-controlled environment. To get the most out of the scenario, the learner should use the same procedures in the airplane. It’s an ATD. What could go wrong?

Crosswind

Air Facts

MAY 10, 2024

A perfectly good airplane with everything operating as expected. ICAO minima for circling approaches is much higher than that stipulated in the FARs so consider higher weather minima. We also benefit from the latest weather updates. A proactive policy may very well be to prohibit night circling approaches Weather updates?

Approach

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 9, 2024

The airplane was his 1964 Cessna 172 E, white with blue and yellow trim. Approaching their destination, the pilot asked Memphis Center ATC for an airport weather report. For a non-instrument-rated pilot in an airplane not equipped for instrument flight, the blanket of white was unflyable. Ran into weather.

Instrument Meteorological Conditions

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 9, 2024

The airplane was his 1964 Cessna 172 E, white with blue and yellow trim. Approaching their destination, the pilot asked Memphis Center ATC for an airport weather report. For a non-instrument-rated pilot in an airplane not equipped for instrument flight, the blanket of white was unflyable. Ran into weather.

Instrument Meteorological Conditions

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 2, 2024

It typically begins at 1200 feet AGL but can start lower in some locations. Use the Cessna 3-152 mnemonic to remember weather minimums for VFR. The 1200-Foot Rule Usually, Class E airspace starts at 1200 feet Above Ground Level (AGL). They allow you enough clearance to see and avoid other airplanes.

Airspace Classes

Flying Magazine

APRIL 30, 2024

But how to do so when you’ve known the airplane since its early development years, as I have? She warned me ahead of time that the airplane wouldn’t appear different from the outside but to expect something truly different inside. The logic is, if you can enter the airplane with the key fob, you can start the engine.

Pilot

Northstar VFR

JULY 28, 2023

Pilots know that weather has an intense impact on flying. Let’s take a look at the different types of altitude: Pressure Altitude Pressure altitude is altitude corrected for non-standard weather. What is standard weather? Standard weather is 59 degrees celsius and 29.92 Airplanes think? This includes our altitude!

Density Altitude

Flight Training Central

OCTOBER 18, 2024

What are the minimum weather conditions required for airplanes operating under special VFR in Class D airspace? 3,823 feet MSL the surface 700 feet AGL Correct! Here are the five most often missed questions from September 2024 on the simulated Private Pilot Knowledge Test. Refer to Figure 71, area 1.)

Pilot

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 1, 2024

I cursed my decision to depart in developing low weather, but the only choice now was to press on through the crud, dodging cellular towers lining the highway. A call to home base for a land-supported retrieval provided ample opportunity for explanation in response to my peers’ interrogation: “What were you thinking, flying in this weather?”

Weather

Northstar VFR

JANUARY 4, 2023

But now, while flying in low visibility and overcast cloud layers, you have to rely on your instrumentation more than ever before and keep your eyes inside the airplane. Ideally, you should plan for an alternate when the weather is above those minima if you believe the weather is unstable and may deteriorate.

Instrument Meteorological Conditions

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 5, 2024

In aviation, staying ahead of the weather is a must. When weather conditions shift unexpectedly, that’s when a SPECI report comes in. A SPECI (or Special Report) offers a quick weather update between the routine METARs. Let’s explore how SPECIs are going to help you plan around unexpected weather twists.

Altimeter

Pilot Institute

APRIL 24, 2024

From entry and weather requirements to interacting with ATC, we have you covered. Weather Requirements We find the VFR weather requirements in 14 CFR § 91.155. Class B airspace can afford looser weather requirements because ATC tracks traffic closely. This article makes Class B airspace easy to understand. Airport, CA.

Clearance

Pilot Institute

MARCH 26, 2024

If you’re at a field with no weather reporting, gauge the wind speed and direction using the windsock. If you’re not stabilized at 200 feet AGL, go around. On a normal landing, you’d pull the power over the threshold, begin your roundout, and flare around 10 feet AGL. Check out How to Perfect Your Airplane Landings.

NOTAMs

Pilot Institute

SEPTEMBER 26, 2024

Note: VFR pilots can enter Class C airspace only if the weather meets certain minimum visibility and cloud clearance rules. To operate in Class C airspace, the FAA has set speed limitations to improve traffic flow and safety: Under 2500 feet AGL and within 4 NM of the main airport, the aircraft must maintain 200 knots or less.

Clearance

Photographic Logbook

FEBRUARY 4, 2024

While accidents might result from dangerous weather, poor fuel management, or hastily overlooked maintenance issues, an underlying root cause may be a pilot falling prey to these situations due to a laser focus on completing the mission in spite of circumstances that make flying unwise. This morning was a prime example.

Ceiling

Pilot Institute

MAY 4, 2024

Weather, field conditions, obstacles, and many other elements greatly affect short field operations. x V SO (or POH recommendation) by around 500 feet AGL. Establish the target approach speed by around 500 feet AGL. Airplanes with higher wing loading may need power all the way until the flare.

Weight-Shift-Control

Pilot Institute

MAY 25, 2024

Flight Service Station (FSS) Dispatcher Finally, you can call your FSS dispatcher for a weather briefing and relevant NOTAMs. Notable examples include 1800WXBRIEF by Lockheed Martin Flight Services and SkyVector Flight Planning. When you submit your flight plan on the website, you can view the relevant NOTAMs.

NOTAMs

Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 19, 2024

Pattern altitudes are typically 1,000 feet above ground level (AGL) for piston aircraft. Check the airports windsock or automated weather observation system (AWOS). Flying Incorrect Altitudes or Patterns Do you know the correct pattern altitude for your airport? This shouldnt be the sole factor, though. Consider obstacles or terrain.

Pilot