Pilot Institute

JUNE 27, 2025

FAA waivers have long been a hurdle for pilots flying in controlled airspace. As FAA regulations evolve and systems like LAANC become more accessible, drone pilots need to stay informed. UAS Rules (Part 107): Must hold a Remote Pilot Certificate and obtain ATC authorization (via LAANC or DroneZone). What Is Controlled Airspace?

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AGL Clearance Air Traffic Control Pilot 52

Pilot Institute

MARCH 6, 2025

Drones have their own language, and its filled with abbreviations and acronyms that can be overwhelming for new drone pilots. Common Drone Acronyms and What They Mean Lets start off with the most basic acronyms that even beginner drone pilots should know. The effect is that the pilot feels like they are flying while inside the drone.

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Pilot Weather Air Traffic Control NOTAMs 52

AV Web

MAY 18, 2025

My pilot was one of Canada’s leading broadcast journalists. When I was finally hooked up for audio, the pilot was already doing his control check. The last transmission from the pilot was that he was returning to the field because a door had “popped open.” Noticeable?

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Knot AGL Airplanes Drag 63

Air Facts

MAY 14, 2025

Throttle Mismanagement: A T-38 Lesson That Stuck Air Facts Journal An Air Force instructor teaches a powerful lesson on throttle finessein a jet that doesnt forgive overcorrections Have you ever been in a car or plane where the person driving or piloting is constantly adjusting the throttle? At least he didnt light the afterburners!

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AGL Final Approach Crosswind Threshold 52

CFI Academy

MARCH 28, 2025

They go beyond the basic power-on and power-off stalls required for private or commercial pilots, focusing on scenarios that instructors need to teach students about to enhance stall awareness and safety. Perform at a safe altitude (typically 3,000 feet AGL or higher) to demonstrate safely. 65 knots in a Cessna 172).

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Aileron Rudder Checkride AGL 52

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?

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Weather Approach VOR AGL 97

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 27, 2024

As a relatively new pilot , I had failed to see the bigger picture. FAA weather charts can help for higher altitudes but when just a few thousand feet agl, they may be less useful. As a mountain-bred pilot, I’ve always enjoyed observing the ridges and valleys from on high and low. That day was different. What had I missed?

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Turbulence Weather Knot Descent 94

Fear of Landing

APRIL 19, 2024

The pilot held instructor ratings for helicopter and instrument helicopter, with 872 hours flight time, of which 29 were on type. Five minutes later, about two miles south of Teterboro, the pilot said “What is going on here?” The controller asked if the pilot needed assistance but the pilot said no.

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Torque Indicated Airspeed Tail Knot 98

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 14, 2024

Before August 2016, drone pilots had the freedom to fly in a significant portion of controlled and uncontrolled airspace with few restrictions. Whether you want to fly a drone for fun or as a commercial pilot , you must understand and follow these rules. Speed limit : The maximum ground speed for drones is 100 mph (87 knots).

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Pilot AGL Operating Limitations Airspace Classes 57

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024

In reality it’s neither, but the bigger problem is that most pilots don’t even know what it means. And since 95% of airports in the US are nontowered, most pilots will use some type of pattern entry every time they fly. That means the techniques we use to manage the see-and-avoid process near airports matters. What is the teardrop?

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Crosswind Airplanes AGL Runway 98

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.

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Airplanes Weather Ceiling Turbulence 90

Air Facts

MAY 5, 2025

It is intended to be a flying lesson , but only for those pilots who read it with learning as a mindset. Take into consideration that weather reporting, and the dissemination of these reports to pilots, was not as accurate then as it is now. Also, Trial by Ice is not just another flying story.

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VOR Weather Approach Runway 52

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?

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Crosswind Airplanes VOR Runway 111

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.” AIM 5-3-3 ) Change in the average true airspeed (at cruising altitude) when it varies by 5 percent or 10 knots (whichever is greater) from that filed in the flight plan. (

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Instrument Flight Rules AGL Ceiling True Airspeed 52

iPad Pilot News

JUNE 14, 2024

FAA Updates Datalink Weather Advisory Circular iPad Pilot News The rollout of ADS-B datalink weather over twelve years ago was an interesting time for GA pilots. Pilots were free to use the system immediately with these new portable receivers, which improved in-flight decision-making almost overnight.

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Weather AGL Flight Deck Pilot 59

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). Class C Airspace Dimensions Pilots frequently characterize the unique shape of Class C airspace as an upside-down wedding cake.

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Clearance Transponder Knot Indicated Airspeed 52

Flying Magazine

APRIL 30, 2024

The complexity of the instrument panel has served either to intrigue or intimidate potential pilots. Subscribe Now Featured And for new pilots—and this pilot who flies Cirrus aircraft sporadically—as opposed to a seasoned owner or dedicated Cirrus instructor, the barrier to entry and re-entry has fallen significantly.

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Pilot Airplanes Approach Jet 111

Jetwhine

JANUARY 17, 2024

I’ve been flying jets for years as a corporate pilot, but not real jets to some … like fighter jets. When opportunity knocked with an offer to fly an Aero Vodochody L–39 Albatros (one “s” in the Czech spelling)—a single-engine bird still used as a basic trainer for some nation’s fighter pilots—I jumped at the chance.

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Knot Rudder Pilot Jet 52

Pilot Institute

MAY 9, 2024

Despite the easygoing name, many pilots find lazy eights harder than they thought. There’s a reason why it’s been a commercial pilot practical test staple for decades. If you’re about to begin your commercial pilot journey, you’ve come to the right place! Let’s get started.

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Rudder Lift Aileron Drag 52

Flight Training Central

MARCH 4, 2024

The airplane will be flown at 1,000’ AGL parallel to and at an equal distance from the field boundaries – about ½ – ¾ miles from the boundary as you would fly a traffic pattern. The pilot should be prepared for the necessary crosswind correction and compensate by turning more than 90° angling toward the inside of the rectangular course.

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Groundspeed Crosswind Aileron Rudder 52

Pilot Institute

MARCH 29, 2024

Key Takeaways Slow flight trains pilots to handle the aircraft at speeds just above stalling. That’s why it’s crucial for pilots to learn aircraft control at low speeds. Additionally, both private and commercial pilot checkrides require the demonstration of slow flight. Pilots use reference stalling speeds instead.

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Lift Rudder Drag AGL 52

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. x V SO (or POH recommendation) by around 500 feet AGL.

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Weight-Shift-Control Runway Density Altitude Descent 52

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 5, 2024

A sudden wind shift, a 10-knot or greater speed increase, a 45-degree or more direction change, or gusts exceeding limits may also cause a SPECI. Tornadoes, funnel clouds, volcanic ash, or dust storms are extremely dangerous to all pilots. This includes the wind direction in degrees and the wind speed in knots.

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Altimeter Weather Wind Shear Runway 52

Northstar VFR

AUGUST 11, 2024

Pilots are known for liking speed, whether it’s in an aircraft, motorcycle, or boat. Let’s look at the basics of slow flight: what it is, why we practice it as pilots, and the fundamentals of performing slow flight. You can study more on the aerodynamics of slow flight in Chapter 5 of the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.

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Checkride Airplanes AGL Pilot 52

Air Facts

OCTOBER 21, 2024

Sounds you NEVER want to hear Air Facts Journal Whenever a pilot “slips the surly bonds of earth and dances the sky on laughter silvered wings,” there are sounds they NEVER want to hear. “Top Dawg” (my callsign) flight was manned with instructor pilots (IP) in #1 (me) and #3 with students in Vipers #s 2 and 4.

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Runway AGL Knot Approach 52

Pilot Institute

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024

Steep turns should be one of the most fun maneuvers pilots learn. But for many pilots, flying coordinated turns while keeping altitude and speed steady is hard enough. In maintaining a properly coordinated steep turn, the pilot must use the opposite aileron to maintain bank.

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Lift Aileron Drag Pilot 52

Chess In the Air

JULY 4, 2022

There’s been a lot of interest in my recent accident analysis “ Invisible Trap Kills Glider Pilot – How To Avoid Microbursts.” Cold downdrafts created by virga displace warmer air near the surface creating updrafts glider pilots can, and should, use to avoid landing in downburst conditions. Absolutely!

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Wind Shear AGL Runway Lift 52

Pilot Institute

MARCH 26, 2024

A soft field landing is a technique pilots use when landing on unpaved surfaces. Why Do Pilots Perform Soft Field Landings? Crowd Source Information The next best resource for information about runway conditions is other pilots. Calculate your landing and takeoff distances using the pilot’s operating handbook (POH).

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NOTAMs Runway Descent Approach 52

Pilot Institute

APRIL 24, 2024

Pilots must meet equipment and certification requirements and have ATC clearance to enter. Pilot Requirements You’re allowed to enter Class B airspace only if: The PIC (Pilot in Command) holds at least a private pilot certificate. The PIC holds a sport pilot certificate with 14 CFR § 61.325 endorsements.

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Clearance Ceiling Airspace Classes Transponder 52

Learn to Fly

MARCH 12, 2024

Some of the most important jargon you’ll learn as a pilot has to be how to read a METAR. These “aviation routine weather reports” provide pilots with an accurate depiction of current weather conditions at an airport. RVR is the distance a pilot can see down the runway in a moving aircraft. Visibility is ¾ statute mile.

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Weather Knot UTC Ceiling 40

Air Facts

APRIL 24, 2024

Dad, a seasoned VFR pilot, was at the controls. I, a 19 year old greenhorn with a brand new pilot’s license in my wallet, sat at his right. And it would worsen to a point that would be too much for this new pilot, fresh out of flight training, to remain “unphased.” But the turbulence would continue to worsen.

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Turbulence Wind Shear Final Approach Ceiling 52

Air Facts

MARCH 28, 2025

It was a very close-up shot as the drone came in low and fast (500-1000 feet AGL at 500+ knots); the crew had no time to react, except to look up. Seeing the airbursts around my Bronco, one of the F-4 pilots hollered, FAC, youre getting hosed!

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Airplanes AGL NOTAMs Approach 52

Flying Magazine

MAY 1, 2024

Several airports in the vicinity reported wind gusts peaking at 30 knots. kilometers or 4,500 feet agl (25 knots is roughly 12 m/s for reference). READ MORE: Is a Medical Certificate Required for a Private Pilot Check Ride? Most outflow boundaries don’t extend above about 2 kilometers or 6,500 feet agl.

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Wind Shear Weather Turbulence AGL 116

Chess In the Air

JUNE 24, 2022

About 90% of accidents could have been prevented by the pilot. Most can be avoided by diligent pre-flight preparations; by paying attention to what’s happening around us; by staying disciplined and flying within one’s margins; and by avoiding basic piloting mistakes through regular practice.

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Pilot AGL Wind Shear Runway 52

Pilot Institute

APRIL 19, 2024

It is true that pilots have performed the maneuver and safely landed on the departure runway. These famous tales of success are why pilots continue to try their luck at it. The pilots who walked away from this maneuver had tons of experience, the right conditions, and heaps of luck. You completed the climb check at 300 ft AGL.

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AGL Runway Descent Lift 52

Pilot Institute

JUNE 26, 2024

Go-arounds are among the easiest tasks a pilot can perform. Pilots avoid go-arounds because it is seen as an admission of guilt. Pilots perform the maneuver when a landing is unsafe or can result in an incident. Pilots perform the maneuver when a landing is unsafe or can result in an incident. What Is a Go-Around?

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Wind Shear Runway Aeronautical Decision-Making Approach 52

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 27, 2024

Be familiar with what an idling engine and slow gliding speed sound and feel like, what the clean descent rate is, how much altitude is lost during a 180- or 360-degree turn, and what minimum agl altitude you’ll want to have when you arrive abeam of your landing spot. The best forced-landing technique begins with preparation.

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Drag Descent AGL Runway 52