Air Facts

MAY 5, 2025

After all, I had just aced my checkride. Our NIFA team of pilots would travel to other colleges and compete in sanctioned competition involving precise navigation, pre-flight inspections, accuracy landings, and simulated bomb drops into a barrel from 100 AGL feet using bean bags as bombs. What else was there to know? How can this be?

VOR 52

VOR Weather Approach Runway 52

Pilot Institute

MAY 9, 2024

Lazy eights sound like the least challenging commercial checkride maneuver to learn. For a dual flight, the minimum altitude is 1,500ft AGL (above ground level). If practicing these maneuvers solo, raise the minimum altitude to 2,000ft AGL. Glance at your altimeter. What standards does the commercial checkride require?

Rudder 52

Rudder Lift Aileron Drag 52

Pilot Institute

MAY 4, 2024

They are also one of the most feared maneuvers during the private pilot checkride. x V SO (or POH recommendation) by around 500 feet AGL. The local altimeter setting is 29.65, the temperature is 25°C, and we have a 9-knot headwind. Establish the target approach speed by around 500 feet AGL.

Weight-Shift-Control 52

Weight-Shift-Control Runway Density Altitude Approach 52

Pilot Institute

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024

However, it is best practice to start a steep turn no lower than 1,500 feet above ground level (AGL). Many applicants have failed the checkride due to not clearing the area. The practical test has no officially established minimum altitude for steep turns. Ensure that you complete a clearing turn before beginning the maneuver.

Lift 52

Lift Aileron Drag Pilot 52