Fear of Landing

MAY 30, 2025

The controller cleared the aircraft to 23,000 feet cruising altitude and then, after the pilot read back the clearance, handed the pilot off to another controller at Atlanta Center. The pilot contacted the second controller and advised that the aircraft was maintaining 23,000 feet.

Cockpit 76

Cockpit Pilot Clearance Air Traffic Control 76

Photographic Logbook

OCTOBER 10, 2023

When I contacted Rochester Approach, the controller came back with, "Are you looking for your clearance to College Park?" I answered in the affirmative, received my clearance, and was given a climb to 6,000 feet as the rain streaked over my windscreen. I gave my tail number and destination. "Oh, Where is that?"

Transponder 52

Transponder Clearance Approach General Aviation 52

One Mile at a Time

OCTOBER 8, 2024

Several weeks ago, we saw a bizarre incident in Atlanta, whereby one aircraft collided with another, and sliced off its tail. ATC: “You know, I just noticed that the tail on the RJ is missing. Unknown voice: “The whole tail of that CRJ is off.” While we had a general sense of what unfolded, we didn’t know what the cause was.

Tail 121

Tail Jet Clearance Runway 121

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. Long story short, when I received my clearance that evening, it was to my originally intended BELTS waypoint.) What's going on at X today?" Jerry and Ed. Photo by Jerry.

Pilot 52

Pilot Flight Plan Air Traffic Control General Aviation 52

Plane and Pilot

JANUARY 5, 2025

They were descending from cruise altitude to 8,000 feet with a clearance to fly direct to navigation fix TAMMI. Air traffic control, responding to the pilots odd transmission, simplified the clearance, issuing just a heading and an altitude. It was the tail separating from the fuselage.

Clearance 97

Clearance Pilot Cockpit Descent 97

Airspeed Junkie

NOVEMBER 9, 2024

By replacing letters with distinct words like ‘Alpha’ for ‘A’ and ‘Bravo’ for ‘B,’ it ensures clear communication between pilots and air traffic controllers. This clarity is vital not only for pilots and air traffic controllers but also for ground staff, who rely on accurate communication to perform their duties safely.

Air Traffic Control 52

Air Traffic Control Pilot Tail Cockpit 52

Professional Pilot

AUGUST 8, 2024

Air traffic control instructions often lead to unstable approaches. Complying with ATC Unwavering willingness to comply with air traffic control instructions comes in as the fifth deadly sin. A controller who withholds or issues a late descent clearance is also to blame.

Approach 105

Approach Descent Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) Runway 105

Photographic Logbook

AUGUST 5, 2023

A ragged cloud layer hung low over the Williamson Sodus Airport, but we climbed VFR through sizable gaps over Lake Ontario before turning on course above the clouds and picking up our IFR clearance with Rochester Approach. To some, negotiating the clouds VFR and going IFR in severe clear weather might seem like a backward strategy.

Weather 52

Weather Runway Approach Clearance 52

Photographic Logbook

JANUARY 25, 2025

Volunteer Air Traffic Control Because of its unique geometry, the Alton Bay Ice Runway requires careful coordination on the ground to avoid conflicts. More vintage cred: a V-tailed Beechcraft Bonanza! Gilead and I, both trailing Ed, ran into dramatically lowering visibility and requested pop-up IFR clearances.

Runway 75

Runway Airplanes Threshold Approach 75

Universal Weather

FEBRUARY 22, 2023

If CAD is closed at the time of your request, Air Traffic Control (ATC) can process short-notice permits. You must submit the tail number, aircraft type, size, and arrival/departure schedule to request parking. Requests are submitted via a website portal controlled by the airport authority.

Clearance 52

Clearance General Aviation Weather Runway 52

Flying Magazine

MAY 27, 2025

He noted you can track someone via an app like FlightAware.com if you know their tail number and know where they are at all times. Proof Is in the Piloting Flight following falls under risk management (PA.I.D.R5), covering limitations of air traffic control (ATC) services. READ MORE: Unfair or Unprepared?

Flight Plan 71

Flight Plan Air Traffic Control Pilot Tail 71