Pilot's Life Blog

JANUARY 12, 2025

However, flying a small plane often means operating at much lower altitudes, usually between 5,000 and 10,000 feet, depending on weather conditions, terrain, and air traffic. Flying a small plane at lower altitudes allows pilots to navigate visually and avoid the complexities of high-altitude air traffic control.

Weight-Shift-Control

Air Facts

AUGUST 1, 2025

I’d served as the legal advisor in targeting cells that put “warheads on foreheads” in Syria during the fight against ISIS—but we were always the “ground customers,” waiting for the right platform to deliver the payload. I glanced at the empty right seat, then at the tiny air traffic control tower. Throttle full open.

Runway

Flying Magazine

JULY 11, 2025

However, the DC-6 offered airlines increased range, higher cruising speed, and cruising altitudes of up to 25,000 feet (depending upon payload and fuel load) in pressurized comfort for a full 3,000 miles, making it a versatile hauler of both passengers (DC-6B) and cargo (DC-6A). The soundtrack of the engines in cruise was spot on.

Flight Deck

Aerotime

SEPTEMBER 12, 2024

However, as the aircraft crossed the border between France and Belgium, the crew set 7700 on the aircraft’s transponder (indicating an inflight emergency) and requested an immediate descent and diversion to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) in the Netherlands, some 90 miles (144km) off the aircraft’s nose.

Air Traffic Control

NYC Aviation

JUNE 17, 2020

Can be initiated by either the pilots or air traffic control. Jettison – the procedure used to discard fuel or other payload items and is often employed during both civilian and military emergencies. It warns pilots of a too high or too low descent path. METAR – METeorological Aerodrome Report.

Runway