Air Traffic Control, Clearance and Transponder

ACARS Explained: How It Keeps Aircraft Connected

Pilot Institute

MAY 8, 2025

ACARS can replace tasks such as pre-departure and oceanic clearances, send position reports, and grab weather data for you. Before long, everything from oceanic clearance requests to in-flight weather updates could flow through ACARS. Complex airspace around busy airports adds to the length of the departure clearance radio call.

Clearance

Clearance Weather Air Traffic Control Pilot

Flight Instruments vs. Avionics

WayMan

JUNE 16, 2025

The main collection, commonly known as the “six-pack,” gives the primary flight parameters: Airspeed Indicator (ASI): Airspeed Indicator shows the speed of the aircraft with respect to the surrounding air mass, an important parameter for all flight phases.

Instrument Meteorological Conditions

Instrument Meteorological Conditions Omni-Directional Range Primary Flight Display Cockpit

Is a Waiver to Fly Drones in Controlled Airspace Still Necessary?

Pilot Institute

JUNE 27, 2025

The FAA defines controlled airspace as “a generic term that covers the different classifications of airspace (Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, and Class E airspace) and defined dimensions within which air traffic control service is provided to IFR and VFR flights.” Aircraft must operate under ATC clearance.

AGL

AGL Clearance Air Traffic Control Pilot

IFR Flight Planning: Best Tips for Pilots

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 5, 2024

The flight plan informs the Air Traffic Control (ATC) of your planned course, aircraft capability, and contingency plan. The Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) and Traffic Advisory System (TAS) provide important information about other airplanes in the vicinity. What Is an IFR Flight Plan?

Flight Plan

Flight Plan Pilot Weather Instrument Meteorological Conditions

Hang On

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. ATC announced loss of transponder data. There was no answer.

Clearance

Clearance Pilot Cockpit Descent

Delta Air Lines 767-400 loses pressurization, makes emergency descent into Paris

Aerotime

JULY 9, 2024

Having completed the oceanic crossing part of the journey, and as the flight crossed the English Channel at 20:55, the crew of DL266 reported a loss of cabin pressure and set the 7700 internationally recognized emergency code on the transponder.

Descent

Descent Air Traffic Control Transponder Clearance

How to get an IFR clearance at a non-towered airport

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 23, 2024

For an instrument pilot, though, there is one key difference between a smaller, non-towered airport and a larger one with an air traffic control tower: obtaining an IFR clearance. Call for your IFR clearance, including route, altitude, and transponder code. Call on the phone In ancient times (i.e.,

Clearance

Clearance Air Traffic Control Airplanes Transponder

CRAFT Explained: IFR Made Simple for Pilots

Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 6, 2024

CRAFT is a simple way pilots remember their IFR clearance. It helps break down the instructions from air traffic control into clear, easy-to-follow steps. Key Takeaways Use the acronym CRAFT as a helpful guide to break down your IFR clearance. Heres a better way to keep track of your clearances.

Clearance

Clearance Pilot Transponder Flight Plan

Class C Airspace Explained

Pilot Institute

SEPTEMBER 26, 2024

Key Takeaways Airports that fall under Class C designation handle general aviation and airline traffic. Aircraft need to have a two-way radio, transponder with Mode C, and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out equipment. Before entering Class C airspace, pilots must receive clearance from Air Traffic Control (ATC).

Clearance

Clearance Transponder Knot Indicated Airspeed

Mastering IFR Approach Radio Calls: A Simple Guide for Pilots

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! Use the CRAFT acronym to note down departure clearances quickly. You cant rely on visual cues to avoid other traffic – or even navigate accurately. Why Why are you calling?

Approach

Approach Clearance Pilot Aeronautical Information Manual

Risk Mitigation Through Defensive Flying

Plane and Pilot

JULY 3, 2024

But too few pilots leverage air traffic control when outside of these requirement areas, though its services are broadly available. With ADS-B and transponder service over much of the airspace, it is a good practice to fly with a second layer of protection, helping you enhance awareness of potential risks.

Weather

Weather Pilot Approach Air Traffic Control

Into the Flight Restricted Zone | Part 1, Of PINs and Prop Locks

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. Emerging from the clouds on reaching the Finger Lakes.

Transponder

Transponder Clearance Approach General Aviation

Greece: 2024 Business Aviation Destination Guide

Universal Weather

JANUARY 16, 2024

Priority clearance may be possible to arrange, at CIQ’s discretion, to allow you to clear at a separate counter in the main clearance hall. At Mykonos (LGMK) and Corfu (LGKR) only, there is a small separate lounge appointed to GA/BA traffic only. For departure to non-EU destinations, CIQ clearance is necessary.

Clearance

Clearance Flight Plan General Aviation Visual Flight Rules

ATC Communications: What to Say, and When

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 8, 2024

Basics of Radio Communications With Air Traffic Control The guiding principle of ATC communications is understanding. Make those practice calls even more realistic by utilizing live air traffic controllers who can help simulate real interactions. ASA Airplane Flying Handbook can be a great resource.

Aeronautical Information Manual

Aeronautical Information Manual Runway Pilot Air Traffic Control

ATC Communications: What to Say, and When

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 8, 2024

Basics of Radio Communications With Air Traffic Control The guiding principle of ATC communications is understanding. Make those practice calls even more realistic by utilizing live air traffic controllers who can help simulate real interactions. ASA Airplane Flying Handbook can be a great resource.

Aeronautical Information Manual

Aeronautical Information Manual Runway Pilot Air Traffic Control

See North America: How To Fly Into Canada For Vacation

Inflight Pilot Training

APRIL 16, 2024

CANPASS is a program offered by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) that allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers to expedite their clearance process when entering Canada. Canada border to be in communication with Air Traffic Control (ATC) via a discrete squawk code. What Is CANPASS?

Air Defense Identification Zone

Air Defense Identification Zone Transponder Pilot Flight Plan

Flight Planning and Following Is Not Just for Cross-Country

Flying Magazine

MAY 27, 2025

Proof Is in the Piloting Flight following falls under risk management (PA.I.D.R5), covering limitations of air traffic control (ATC) services. That’s a fancy way of saying ATC may not always be able to provide flight following for VFR traffic. Creating a navlog by hand can be done in a few minutes.

Flight Plan

Flight Plan Air Traffic Control Tail Pilot

Aviator Connection

ACARS Explained: How It Keeps Aircraft Connected

Flight Instruments vs. Avionics

Trending Sources

Is a Waiver to Fly Drones in Controlled Airspace Still Necessary?

IFR Flight Planning: Best Tips for Pilots

Hang On

Delta Air Lines 767-400 loses pressurization, makes emergency descent into Paris

How to get an IFR clearance at a non-towered airport

CRAFT Explained: IFR Made Simple for Pilots

Class C Airspace Explained

Mastering IFR Approach Radio Calls: A Simple Guide for Pilots

Risk Mitigation Through Defensive Flying

Into the Flight Restricted Zone | Part 1, Of PINs and Prop Locks

Greece: 2024 Business Aviation Destination Guide

ATC Communications: What to Say, and When

ATC Communications: What to Say, and When

See North America: How To Fly Into Canada For Vacation

Flight Planning and Following Is Not Just for Cross-Country

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