Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 19, 2024

This approach chart, also called an approach plate, provides all the information you need to fly a VOR approach. Initial Approach Fix (IAF): This is a specific point where the approach procedure starts, allowing you to set up the aircraft with the inbound course for the final approach.

VOR 52

VOR Approach Descent Final Approach 52

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. youll need to master the basics of situational awareness, traffic patterns, and CTAF communication can make non-towered operations not only manageable but smooth and predictable.

Pilot 52

Pilot Runway Air Traffic Control Approach 52

Photographic Logbook

APRIL 19, 2024

Even though I was likely to be cleared through the outer ring by ATC (air traffic control) while on an instrument flight plan, I filed a route from Sodus to the Williamsport VOR (FQM) that circumvented the TFR entirely. Wilkes-Barre Departure, Air Force One." It added less than 10 minutes to the overall flight time.

Approach 69

Approach Wind Shear Runway VOR 69

Photographic Logbook

JULY 9, 2024

As an aviator, I crave the novelty of these aerial vistas and compulsively fly to new places to absorb uncommon beauty streaming in through my airplane's windscreen. Sometimes, a smidgeon of airplane in the photo provides interesting perspective of our position in the sky. Massive cityscapes are not, however. How was it?"

Clearance 52

Clearance Runway Approach Stability 52

Photographic Logbook

OCTOBER 10, 2023

When landing in the SFRA/FRZ, that code must be maintained until the airplane is on the ground. Normally, when approaching a non-towered airport like Williamson Sodus, air traffic control will instruct the inbound aircraft to "squawk VFR" (i.e., Welcome to College Park!" Do you have a prop lock?

Transponder 52

Transponder Approach Clearance General Aviation 52

Aerotime

JULY 19, 2024

A violent and destructive engine failure on the aircraft, one of United Airlines ’ McDonnell Douglas DC-10s, caused the loss of all standard flight controls through the fracture of all three hydraulic syst ems on the aircraft. With 296 passengers and crew onboard that day, the stakes could not have been higher.

Runway 301

Runway Horizontal Stabilizer Airline Airlines 301

One Mile at a Time

FEBRUARY 27, 2025

What causes airplane go arounds? It could be that theres sudden wind shear on final approach, or that that visibility is below minimums, or that the aircraft is too high or too fast, etc. While air traffic controllers do an incredible job giving pilots instructions that minimize disruptions, theres still a human element to it.

Airplanes 83

Airplanes Wind Shear Weather Approach 83

Photographic Logbook

JULY 21, 2024

On July 21, 2024 we departed the Rochester area in three airplanes carrying a total of ten people for an incredible view of Manhattan with lunch afterward at Hangars Cafe on the field at the Sky Acres Airport (44N). In my airplane, I was accompanied by Alyssa and Mark. Snotty Three airplanes set off from Sky Acres for home.

Weight-Shift-Control 88

Weight-Shift-Control Clearance Approach Airplanes 88

Northstar VFR

MARCH 23, 2025

As an aircraft enters the traffic pattern, it begins the process of getting configured to land on the runway. As the plane descends toward the runway on final approach, it may encounter various scenarios where a safe landing cannot be assured. One factor is executing the approach with too high energy or too low energy.

Pilot 52

Pilot Wind Shear Runway Instrument Meteorological Conditions 52

Professional Pilot

AUGUST 8, 2024

Challenger 604, G-IV Contributing Writer Pilatus PC-12 on approach at ORL. Air traffic control instructions often lead to unstable approaches. 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.

Approach 105

Approach Descent Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) Runway 105

Photographic Logbook

JANUARY 25, 2025

I urged all participants to be airborne by 7:00 am if we were to have any chance of securing limited airplane parking spots on the ice of Alton Bay. He grew up near Lake Winnipesaukee, had watched airplanes landing on the ice as a kid, and never dreamed that he would someday arrive in one. Photo by Ed. Is he moving?!"

Runway 68

Runway Airplanes Threshold Approach 68

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 8, 2024

I generally knew what to expect since this was not my first time in a small airplane. ASA Airplane Flying Handbook can be a great resource. Basics of Radio Communications With Air Traffic Control The guiding principle of ATC communications is understanding. Review online ground school resources.

Aeronautical Information Manual 65

Aeronautical Information Manual Pilot Runway Air Traffic Control 65

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 8, 2024

I generally knew what to expect since this was not my first time in a small airplane. ASA Airplane Flying Handbook can be a great resource. Basics of Radio Communications With Air Traffic Control The guiding principle of ATC communications is understanding. Review online ground school resources.

Aeronautical Information Manual 52

Aeronautical Information Manual Pilot Runway Air Traffic Control 52

Photographic Logbook

AUGUST 3, 2024

For 2024, I planned a three day / two night trip to northern Michigan from May 26-28 for the club with highlights including visits to Mackinac Island , the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore , and the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo where I was formerly a docent. We had seven airplanes going, most of them helmed by instrument rated pilots.

Airplanes 86

Airplanes Runway Weather Approach 86

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 25, 2025

Aircraft carriers use this concept with arresting gear for controlled stops. Although light airplanes are designed to withstand crash forces up to 9G, keep in mind that higher speeds add up to the stopping distance. Attitude and Sink Rate Control Another important factor is controlling attitude and sink rate.

Pilot 59

Pilot Descent Approach Thrust 59

Photographic Logbook

AUGUST 5, 2023

Once in cruise, I prefer to be on an instrument plan for multi-state cross countries because it guarantees coordination with air traffic control and simplifies dealing with any clouds encountered along the way. Level at 8,000 feet, we were treated to a whimsical vista of condensate over New York state.

Weather 52

Weather Runway Approach Clearance 52

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 15, 2025

Detecting them is difficult, which makes final approach and landing especially dangerous. If dangerous wind shear is detected, the LLWAS will display the hazard to air traffic controllers (ATCs), who will relay the warning to all pilots at the relevant frequencies.

Wind Shear 66

Wind Shear Weather Descent Approach 66

Cranky Flier

FEBRUARY 3, 2025

It was just before 9pm Eastern Time on January 29 when American Eagle 5342 — a CRJ-700 coming from Wichita, operated by American’s wholly-owned subsidiary PSA — was on final approach into Washington/National airport (DCA). The pilots accepted. At the same time, a Black Hawk helicopter was on a training mission.

Air Traffic Control 100

Air Traffic Control Runway Final Approach Approach 100