Pilot's Life Blog

JUNE 17, 2025

Falcon Field has a rich history and excellent resources, and our personalized approach ensures each student’s success. Falcon Field provides a friendly atmosphere, low traffic compared to major airports, and a strong general aviation community. Includes advanced cross‐country planning and instrument approaches in a twin.

Checkride

Flying Magazine

JUNE 24, 2025

Subscribe Now At the macro level, you’ll find air traffic controllers located at the 21 Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs) and at various approach control facilities that serve one or more airports throughout the United States and its territories.

Air Traffic Control

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 19, 2024

Are you curious about flying a VOR approach? If you’re aiming to master instrument-rated flying, it’d be valuable to learn about VOR approaches. We’ll cover what a VOR approach is, how to fly it step-by-step, and even whether GPS can replace it in today’s navigation. Ready to make VOR approaches easy?

VOR

Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 12, 2024

Talking to air traffic control (ATC) while flying IFR is challenging in the beginning, but with time and practice, you can master it! You cant rely on visual cues to avoid other traffic – or even navigate accurately. The controller will clear you for the approach when you get close to the airport.

Approach

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 15, 2024

At that point, you proceed on course as directed by air traffic control. Santa Monica Municipal (KSMO) has a fix called DARTS, located on V-186, that serves as the intermediate fix for the RNAV 21 and the VOR-A approaches. Both are good exercises to practice in the simulator.

Aeronautical Information Manual

Photographic Logbook

APRIL 19, 2024

I expected minimal IMC time and the need for an approach appeared beyond remote. 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. Foolish mortal.

Approach

Pilot Institute

AUGUST 9, 2024

Air Traffic Control (ATC) uses these procedures to delay aircraft. Most holding fixes are NAVAIDs such as VORs, RNAV (GPS) waypoints, and even ILS markers. When VORs are used as holding fixes, the fix is usually a specific DME distance on a particular radial. You are looking for the RNAV approach into runway 17R.

VOR

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 2, 2024

You don’t need to check in with air traffic control (ATC) when flying VFR in Class E. It helps separate traffic at different altitudes. Class E is always in the background, making sure both VFR and IFR traffic can coexist in safety. These airways help guide IFR and VFR aircraft from one navaid/VOR to another.

Airspace Classes

Pilot's Life Blog

DECEMBER 20, 2024

Air Law : Knowing the rules of the sky is essential for every pilot. In ground school, youll study FAA regulations, including how to communicate with air traffic control, maintain flight safety, and understand your rights and responsibilities as a pilot. What topics are covered in ground school?

Pilot

Photographic Logbook

OCTOBER 10, 2023

When both plans were filed, he asked me to stand-by while he verified that the flight plan was properly pushed to Cleveland Center where Rochester Approach would be able to retrieve it. When I contacted Rochester Approach, the controller came back with, "Are you looking for your clearance to College Park?"

Transponder

Photographic Logbook

JULY 6, 2024

I think this because whenever multiple aircraft depart Sodus bound for the same destination, we almost always pique the curiosity of air traffic control. It is an old school approach and feels like a throwback to my earlier flying days. We were cleared direct to College Park via the Westminster VOR (EMI).

Pilot

Photographic Logbook

OCTOBER 19, 2023

My filed route to Ogdensburg was via YOW (the Ottawa VOR) and IKLAX. As I approached the St Lawrence River, I had the distinct impression of being on the wrong side of it. Two officers emerged from the car and approached. Canada is very close," cautioned the military controller, his tone steeped in worry.

Approach

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 8, 2024

Basics of Radio Communications With Air Traffic Control The guiding principle of ATC communications is understanding. Say you are approaching the Grand Prairie Municipal Airport from the south in a Cessna 12345 and want to make a full stop landing. ASA Airplane Flying Handbook can be a great resource.

Aeronautical Information Manual

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 8, 2024

Basics of Radio Communications With Air Traffic Control The guiding principle of ATC communications is understanding. Say you are approaching the Grand Prairie Municipal Airport from the south in a Cessna 12345 and want to make a full stop landing. ASA Airplane Flying Handbook can be a great resource.

Aeronautical Information Manual