Plane and Pilot

JULY 22, 2025

As pilots, we have a certain luxury that many do not—to escape the confines of earth for fleeting moments of peace and disconnection. Consider yourself to be in the rarer class of today’s modern pilot. Originally built to train pilots for World War II, the company lost the official training contract to the Boeing PT-17 Stearman.

Runway

AV Web

JUNE 24, 2025

I see this a lot, particularly with real pilots just starting out their instrument training or non-pilot simmers trying to feel like real pilots. Familiar Is The Enemy Another pitfall real pilots make is assuming that simming is all about approaches. The problem here is he’s trying to fly instead of sim. A charted visual?

Weather

Flight Training Central

JUNE 16, 2025

It’s important for pilots to understand the operating requirements and restrictions regarding Special Use airspace (SUA). Pilots can request the status of SUA by contacting the using or controlling agency. Warning Areas Warning Areas are similiar to Restricted areas and is designed to warn pilots of potential danger.

Clearance

Flying Magazine

JULY 25, 2025

Thankfully, the cockpit is not the only place where pilots can practice. VFR pilots require a solid understanding of their three-dimensional environment. Knowledge and skill must be second nature if one is to become a good and safe pilot. They handle predictably, teach good habits, and reflect what most student pilots will fly.

Cockpit

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. The pilot had topped off the plane for the two-hour flight from Smyrna Airport (KMQY) to Palm Beach International Airport (KPBI) in Florida. Subscribe Now OK, the pilot replied, were going 090 at or above 3,000.

Pilot

Air Facts

MAY 10, 2024

A circling approach is one that, by dwindling numbers and its inherent design, forces the pilot(s) into a seldom used and high-risk evolution–often migrating us to an unexpected and seldom visited zip code of the threat/error management neighborhood. When was the last time either pilot (single pilot) performed this exact approach?

Approach

WayMan

MAY 13, 2025

Understanding Airspace classes for student pilots Airspace classes define the structure of the skies, helping pilots navigate safely and efficiently. Whether you are starting your flight training or planning to earn your private pilot license , understanding these classifications is critical.

Airspace Classes

Flight Training Central

MARCH 18, 2024

For example, a pilot flying IFR in controlled airspace will have to file an IFR flight plan and receive an ATC clearance. For VFR flight, controlled airspace means increased cloud clearance and visibility requirements. For the VFR pilot flying in B, C, and D airspace, there are communication and/or clearance requirements.

AGL

Flight Training Central

APRIL 12, 2024

If operating under visual flight rules (VFR), yes, a pilot may fly through a military operations area (MOA) without receiving a clearance or communicating with ATC; however, it’s important to understand the risks and activities present within an active MOA. How can a pilot get more information on MOAs?

Visual Flight Rules

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 25, 2025

The pilot can ask for the visual, or ATC can assign it. However, the pilot must have the airport, or the preceding aircraft, in sight. A takeaway for us pilots is that when cleared for a visual to an uncontrolled field, we tie up that airportand maybe other nearby airportsuntil we cancel IFR. In practice, it often requires more.

Approach

Flight Training Central

MAY 14, 2024

Editor’s Note: The following scenario is from the VFR Communications Manual from Pilot Workshops. To taxi from the ramp to the runway at a towered airport, (across the “movement area”), you need to receive a taxi clearance from the Ground controller. If other pilots missed the memo on where to stop, so might you.

Runway

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 1, 2024

Knowing how low you can go, whether it’s at the bottom of a glideslope or when sneaking through a pass, and having the self-discipline to pull the plug when you reach that point, is simple piloting. Remember, the pilot is in the aircraft for one reason only—to make decisions. Execute the diversion.

Weather

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

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 2, 2024

It typically begins at 1200 feet AGL but can start lower in some locations. No ATC clearance is required for VFR flights below 10,000 feet. If you are a student pilot who plans on flying their first solo cross-country or a veteran pilot going on a trip, learning how to navigate via Class E airspace is a must.

Airspace Classes

Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 19, 2024

Flying at non-towered airports can feel like stepping into a space where youre both the pilot and air traffic controller. Lets explore the common mistakes pilots make at these airports and how you can avoid them. Follow procedures when requesting an SVFR clearance or departing a non-towered airport. Does this sound intimidating?

Pilot

Flight Training Central

JULY 1, 2024

While Class E airspace is considered controlled airspace, you do not need an ATC clearance to fly in it. Class E airspace rarely goes all the way to the surface, and in non-mountainous terrain, the floor of Class E airspace is typically 700 feet or 1,200 feet AGL. But how can you know the difference?

AGL

Flying Magazine

MAY 15, 2024

You’re not supposed to feel it like you do the aircraft, but this can make you a better pilot as you will develop instrument scan and interpretation skills. READ MORE: Our Pilots of the Future May Share Sim Stories Partial power loss scenarios—especially at low altitude—are very useful. It’s an ATD. It’s just a few minutes, right?

Crosswind

Pilot Institute

SEPTEMBER 26, 2024

But before you can enter it, there are many important rules and concepts that as a pilot you must understand. Before entering Class C airspace, pilots must receive clearance from Air Traffic Control (ATC). It’s the airspace system—and Class C airspace that keeps both IFR and VFR aircraft safe. Here’s what you need to know.

Clearance

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 17, 2024

Pilots are able to discontinue reporting compulsory points when informed by ATC that the aircraft is in “radar contact.” In the timeline below, the pilot will lose instrument currency on September 1st due to the previous six calendar months including four approaches rather than the needed six.

Instrument Flight Rules

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 12, 2024

An instrument rated pilot, who has not logged any instrument time in 1 year or more, cannot serve as pilot in command under IFR, unless the pilot passes an instrument proficiency check followed by 6 hours and six instrument approaches, 3 of those hours in the category of aircraft involved. When operating in class E airspace.

Instrument Flight Rules

Pilot Institute

APRIL 24, 2024

Pilots must meet equipment and certification requirements and have ATC clearance to enter. Operating Requirements in Class B Airspace Operational Requirements VFR traffic needs explicit clearance to enter Bravo airspace. If you’re flying under IFR, you don’t need an explicit Bravo clearance. What is Class B Airspace?

Clearance

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 25, 2025

The pilot can ask for the visual, or ATC can assign it. However, the pilot must have the airport, or the preceding aircraft, in sight. A takeaway for us pilots is that when cleared for a visual to an uncontrolled field, we tie up that airportand maybe other nearby airportsuntil we cancel IFR. In practice, it often requires more.

Approach

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 1, 2024

Knowing how low you can go, whether it’s at the bottom of a glideslope or when sneaking through a pass, and having the self-discipline to pull the plug when you reach that point, is simple piloting. Remember, the pilot is in the aircraft for one reason only—to make decisions. Execute the diversion.

Weather

Pilot Institute

MAY 25, 2024

Key Takeaways NOTAMs update pilots about changes in airspace, airports, and equipment that affect aircraft operations. NOTAMs alert pilots to issues that impact flight operations. A Real-Life Example Pilots who do not review NOTAMS before flight put themselves (and others) in danger. This tells pilots where the NOTAM applies.

NOTAMs

Pilot Institute

MAY 4, 2024

Short field landings are a true test of a pilot’s skill. They are also one of the most feared maneuvers during the private pilot checkride. Whether you’re new to short field landings or a pilot needing a refresher, this essential guide is for you. This can greatly impact landing performance and obstacle clearance.

Weight-Shift-Control

Photographic Logbook

FEBRUARY 4, 2024

Stir Crazy In aviation safety circles, a mental condition colloquially known as "get-there-itis" characterizes a pilot so mission focused, so determined to reach a destination, that they make unsafe decisions. Because of this, Upstate pilots become antsy as winter weeks pass without any "altitude therapy". I hope you're landing."

Ceiling

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 11, 2024

The first free flight was the following month with three ‘test pilots’: a duck, a rooster, and a sheep. One can only speculate that people on the ground were surprised when a huge UFO flew over them piloted by an equally terrified sheep baaing. Pilatre de Roziere should be listed among the test pilot elite.

Lift

Professional Pilot

AUGUST 8, 2024

The request to make a short approach or maintain a higher-than-normal speed to the final approach fix is the most common reason pilots don’t meet stable approach criteria. Aviation writers and safety pundits hate writing about this topic as much as pilots hate reading about it. Houston, we have a problem. Yet here we are.

Approach

Air Facts

APRIL 29, 2024

I queried ATC about when to expect the approach clearance and was informed that the Saratoga had appeared to land but the pilot hadn’t contacted ATC to close his IFR flight plan. I immediately leveled off at around 650’ AGL, and began slowing down. The IAF was looming closer. My voice had also returned.

Descent

Flight Training Central

APRIL 29, 2024

It’s important for pilots to understand the operating requirements and restrictions regarding Special Use airspace (SUA). Pilots can request the status of SUA by contacting the using or controlling agency. Warning Areas Warning Areas are similiar to Restricted areas and is designed to warn pilots of potential danger.

Clearance

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 21, 2024

Editor’s Note: The following scenario is from the IFR Procedures Manual from Pilot Workshops. You’re skimming the cloud tops at 3500 feet, which is 2900 feet AGL You ask Approach for lower, but the controller says you’re already at the MVA for the area so you can’t get lower. Understand what’s required. Pick your battles.

Approach

Pilot Institute

MARCH 25, 2025

Software Requirements Flight Planning Software Software solutions like DroneDeploy, DJI Terra, and Pix4Dcapture streamline flight planning by enabling pilots to set waypoints, altitude, image overlap, and flight paths precisely. The post Drone Mapping Made Easy: A Beginners Guide to Aerial Surveying appeared first on Pilot Institute.

Payload