Pilot Institute

APRIL 4, 2025

When creating a flight plan, you’ll be doing distances, speeds, times en route, and fuel burn. You’ll have to figure out how to create a flight plan through different time zones, particularly for extended cross-country flights. This includes flight reviews, which are usually bi-annual.

Pilot

Northstar VFR

JULY 6, 2025

Imagine planning to land at a rural airport, only to find out via NOTAM that the runway lights are out of service at night. You don’t want to find that out in the air. How to check: Use flight planning tools like ForeFlight, 1800WXBRIEF, or the FAA NOTAM search. Delays can affect your fuel planning and arrival time.

NOTAMs

Inflight Pilot Training

MARCH 30, 2025

Youll learn how to navigate, communicate with Air Traffic Control, interpret weather, and conduct instrument approaches to airports, all without relying on whats outside your window. Flight canceled. That means more reliable flying, more completed trips, and more time in the air. A layer of clouds at 1,800 feet?

Pilot

Flying Magazine

MAY 13, 2025

The cadence of air traffic control (ATC) feels relentless. Unlike VFR flyingwhere most communications are limited to basic position reports, traffic calls, and pattern entriesIFR communication introduces a steady stream of high-speed, high-consequence exchanges. The cockpit is no place for shame.

Clearance

Pilot's Life Blog

JUNE 17, 2025

Falcon Field provides a friendly atmosphere, low traffic compared to major airports, and a strong general aviation community. Its history as a World War II training base adds to its charm, with well-maintained runways, modern air traffic control, and a nearby aviation museum that keeps the spirit of flying alive.

Checkride

Inflight Pilot Training

JUNE 6, 2025

These aircraft are some of the most popular and advanced single-engine piston aircraft in the world, offering students an immersive experience in a modern glass cockpit environment. The airport offers controlled airspace, giving students hands-on experience communicating with air traffic control.

Pilot

Fear of Landing

JULY 4, 2025

The Robinson R44 was a sixteen-year-old single-engine light utility helicopter with a total of 4,142 flight hours. There was no cockpit voice recorder or flight data recorder installed. CCTV footage showed the cockpit lights turn on and then the strobe lights started to flash. The next scheduled flight was at 05:00.

Cockpit

Pilot Institute

JULY 4, 2025

Coordination with ATC Another thing you shouldn’t forget is to maintain effective communication with Air Traffic Control (ATC). Then, inform them you’re rejoining the planned route only after clearing the weather. Then, inform them you’re rejoining the planned route only after clearing the weather.

Weather

Flying Magazine

JULY 25, 2025

That means constantly scanning for terrain, traffic, and weather while maintaining orientation and navigating using visual landmarks. Thankfully, the cockpit is not the only place where pilots can practice. A 50-100-nm cross-country flight is ideal for practicing VFR navigation techniques. Next, consider essential tools.

Cockpit

Flying Magazine

MAY 3, 2025

Unlike Reliables system, in which remote pilots communicate with air traffic control (ATC), Merlin Pilots natural language processing (NLP) is designed to listen and even speak to controllers. That could pose a concern if the technology is operating based on a predetermined flight path.

Pilot

Fear of Landing

JULY 25, 2025

The day before the accident, the Air Transport Division of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal approved the ferry flight for the aircraft to fly from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu to Pokhara International Airport, where the CRJ 200LR was to undergo base maintenance (C-check).

Ferry Flight

Aerotime

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

Before the aircraft begins to move, on the left-hand ( port ) side of the aircraft you may also notice the ground crew waving a thin red flag at the captain (who always sits, aviation convention dictates, in the left-hand seat in the cockpit of fixed-wing aircraft).

Cabin Crew

Fear of Landing

DECEMBER 6, 2024

A few hours later, the pilot obtained a weather briefing and filed an IFR flight plan before departing Westchester to fly back to Montgomery County. The pilot was instrument rated and the flight was on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan: that is, they did not have to stay visual for the flight.

Approach

Pilot's Life Blog

JANUARY 6, 2024

Full Understanding of Air Traffic Control When flying an aircraft, good pilots must have a clear understanding of air traffic management. Ground training will cover the basics of air traffic control and the lingo that pilots and controllers use.

Pilot

Pilot's Life Blog

FEBRUARY 14, 2025

In aviation, clarity about cockpit roles is key for career success. Overview of Flight Crew Structure In any commercial flight, the flight crew team works together to ensure safe and smooth operations. The cockpit crew typically consists of two main roles: the Captain and the First Officer.

Air Traffic Control

Pilot's Life Blog

DECEMBER 20, 2024

Ground school provides the theoretical knowledge needed to understand aviation principles, which youll later apply in the cockpit. At Leopard Aviation, we believe that having a strong foundation in the classroom is just as important as hands-on flight experience. Air Law : Knowing the rules of the sky is essential for every pilot.

Pilot

Fear of Landing

MAY 30, 2025

The controller repeatedly called the pilot but did not receive any response. Alerted by air traffic control, someone from the FAA contacted one of the owners, asking if there was some alternate method of reaching the pilot on the aircraft. They could see someone in the left cockpit seat, slumped over to the right.

Cockpit

Inflight Pilot Training

MAY 30, 2025

Your tablet or smartphone has become one of the most powerful tools in the cockpit. With the right apps, pilots can check weather, plan routes, improve radio communications, log flights, simulate flying scenarios, and even listen in on real-time ATC traffic. Best Flight Calculator App 5.

Pilot

Jetwhine

JUNE 24, 2024

Pursuing my schooling on computer-aided flight plans, usually generated by an electronic flight bag (EFB—see Are You Current with the New Airman Certification Standards? for my ACS motivation), has led me to an FAA advisory circular, Use of Flight Deck Displays of Digital Weather and Aeronautical Information.

Instrument Meteorological Conditions

Airspeed Junkie

AUGUST 1, 2024

Daily responsibilities include pre-flight checks, weather analysis, creating and filing flight plans, coordination with ground crews and air traffic controllers, and continuous in-flight monitoring and communication.

Pilot

Inflight Pilot Training

AUGUST 6, 2024

These regulations cover everything from aircraft design and maintenance to pilot training and certification, air traffic control and passenger safety. Airlines also have dedicated teams of professionals who oversee every aspect of their operations, including flight planning, scheduling, maintenance and customer service.

Air Traffic Control

Professional Pilot

MAY 30, 2025

Gulfstream G650 Senior contributor and Dejan Damjanovi Contributing writer Leonardo AW109 cockpit. For business and general aviation, there are general purpose EFB apps, such as ARINCDirect by Collins Aerospace and ForeFlight by Boeing, which provide flight crew-centric assistance in flight planning, navigation databases, and record-keeping.

NOTAMs

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 17, 2024

Thorough pre-flight planning and continuous weather monitoring help mitigate icing risks. Understanding Icing Conditions in IFR Icing refers to the buildup of ice on aircraft surfaces while in flight. Knowing these classifications will allow you to make well-informed decisions when flight planning and while in the air.

Weather

Inflight Pilot Training

FEBRUARY 19, 2025

The aviation industry has already welcomed AI-driven technologies that enhance flight planning, streamline air traffic management, and refine cockpit operations. Its applications span the industry, touching everything from the cockpit to the control tower, and its influence is growing by the day.

Pilot

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

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 4, 2024

You’ve got to study from books, do tricky things in airplanes, and talk on the radio to air traffic controllers. A study schedule is like a flight plan, and you need one to help you organize, plan, and reach your goals. Celebrate Your Achievements Just remember, your flight training journey is unique.

Weather

Inflight Pilot Training

AUGUST 6, 2024

These regulations cover everything from aircraft design and maintenance to pilot training and certification, air traffic control and passenger safety. Airlines also have dedicated teams of professionals who oversee every aspect of their operations, including flight planning, scheduling, maintenance and customer service.

Air Traffic Control

Inflight Pilot Training

MARCH 26, 2024

A cargo pilot’s duties may include performing pre-flight checks and inspections, communicating with air traffic control, loading and unloading cargo, and flying the aircraft. You must also follow strict safety procedures and regulations to ensure that the flight is conducted safely.

Cargo

Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 6, 2024

It helps break down the instructions from air traffic control into clear, easy-to-follow steps. Each letter stands for: C learance Limit R oute A ltitude F requency T ransponder Code When youre departing a busy airport on an IFR flight plan, having a system will keep you stay organized and consistent.

Clearance

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! Knowing what to say, when to say it, and how to say it keeps you on track during your flight. You cant rely on visual cues to avoid other traffic – or even navigate accurately.

Approach

Inflight Pilot Training

MAY 14, 2024

They’re both responsible for the safe operation of the aircraft, however the captain is the most senior pilot in the cockpit and ultimately responsible for the operation of the plane, flight planning, communicating with air traffic control and supervising crew.

Pilot

Pilot's Life Blog

FEBRUARY 7, 2025

Diverse Airspace: A Blend of Controlled and Uncontrolled Environments Tucson’s airspace presents a unique combination of controlled and uncontrolled areas, providing student pilots with a comprehensive training experience. Tucsons ideal flying conditions and controlled airspace make it the perfect location to learn.

Weather

Photographic Logbook

OCTOBER 10, 2023

New Adventures in Flight Planning and Filing I decided to test-drive my PIN and the whole FRZ process for the first time as my annual fall solo flight in October of 2023. Any flight into the FRZ requires a FRZ flight plan. change the transponder to 1200) after terminating flight following or cancelling IFR.

Transponder

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 20, 2024

A pilot deviation happens when you violate an FAA regulation or an instruction from Air Traffic Control (ATC). Pre-flight planning reduces surprises and supports safer flight operations. Make sure that you maintain a sterile cockpit during taxiing. Pilot deviations are incredibly stressful.

Runway

Air Facts

JUNE 7, 2024

I thought that I would like to see for myself what was happening and use the training I had been given to assist the people in the cockpits doing the heavy lifting. The characterizations of what was going on over there were all over the place. Two months later, I was on my way to Vietnam. But the reality of the horror of war was also there.

Airplanes

Jetwhine

JULY 1, 2024

If the co-pilot was lucky, the captain might let them work the radios and help with a few navigational duties, but the phrase “Gear up and Shut up” was considered a normal cockpit environment. This finding highlighted the role of communication, decision-making, and leadership in cockpit behavior and the resulting accidents.

Flight Plan

Flying Magazine

MAY 27, 2025

I don’t think the check ride went very well because the CFI was raising a stink that lingered about the DPE’s insistence that the applicant know how to file and activate a flight plan and know the procedure for obtaining flight following. Listen for your tail number and traffic in your vicinity.

Flight Plan