Pilot's Life Blog

JANUARY 5, 2025

Learning how to land a Piper Seminole means becoming comfortable with these avionics, which help guide the aircraft through the landing procedure, ensuring optimal approach speeds and alignment with the runway. The aircrafts landing gear is retractable, which must be extended during the final approach.

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Descent Final Approach Approach Runway 52

AV Web

JANUARY 14, 2025

Air traffic control issued corrective instructions to both flight crews. According to the FAA, Both flight crews received onboard alerts that the other aircraft was nearby.

Air Traffic Control 98

Air Traffic Control Final Approach Approach Runway 98

Aerotime

DECEMBER 20, 2024

Depending on other traffic ahead, not least at the destination, air traffic controllers (ATC) will clear the flight to descend in stages, to be level at certain waypoints on the arrival route. This may be accompanied by the deployment of spoilers on top of the wing.

Cabin Crew 262

Cabin Crew Descent Runway Approach 262

Flight Training Central

MAY 28, 2024

The numbers 4 and 22 on the approach ends of the runway indicate that the runway is orientated approximately 004° and 022° true. If the wind is as shown by the landing direction indicator, the pilot should land on Runway 9 and expect a crosswind from the right. Runway 31 directly into the wind. 040° and 220° true.

Crosswind 98

Crosswind Runway Clearance Air Traffic Control 98

Inflight Pilot Training

MARCH 13, 2025

Poor Radio Communication Skills The Mistake: Many student pilots struggle with radio communication, which can lead to misunderstandings with air traffic control (ATC) and other pilots. Example of a Proper Radio Call: Minneapolis Ground, Cessna 172, N12345 at Inflight Aviation, ready to taxi to Runway 12 for departure.

Pilot 52

Pilot Crosswind Final Approach Cockpit 52

Air Facts

MAY 7, 2025

It was a winter night shift in a Western Ontario air traffic control tower. One controller on duty was the norm on most snowy nights when most of the flying activities had ended for the day. I was the one lonely controller with the console lights turned down low monitoring the area control centre frequency.

Weight-Shift-Control 52

Weight-Shift-Control VOR Runway Distance Measuring Equipment 52

Fear of Landing

DECEMBER 6, 2024

Runway 14, a 4,202 foot runway , was in use. During the final stages of the flight, air traffic control told the pilot to expect the RNAV A approach to Montgomery County. The pilot asked for the RNAV GPS RWY 14 approach, which had lower minimums. miles from the runway (8.3

Approach 97

Approach Runway Descent Air Traffic Control 97

Fear of Landing

AUGUST 9, 2024

The FFZ airfield has a 900-foot grass runway (18/36) and a low-altitude traffic pattern, allowing for spectators to watch the demonstrations of the slower aircraft. An airfield traffic pattern, also known as a circuit, is a standard path used by air traffic approaching the runway.

Runway 105

Runway Cockpit Pilot Final Approach 105

Flyertalk

JANUARY 30, 2025

Answers Could Lie with Air Traffic Control, Flight Data Recorders According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the incident occurred around 9 p.m. Eastern Time as American Flight 5342 was on final approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

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Air Traffic Control Final Approach Runway Approach 52

Ask Captain Lim

FEBRUARY 19, 2025

One possible consideration is whether the captain could have declined the last-minute runway change from the original plan to land on Runway 1. The pilot-in-command has ultimate authority over the aircraft’s safety and can refuse a runway change if it compromises safety.

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Pilot Runway Air Traffic Control AGL 59

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 17, 2025

If unable to raise Air Traffic Control, provide as many details of your location as possible so that help can be provided. When compromises must be made, opt for the wind and obstacle combination that permits additional margin for error on your final approach. D Declare. Declare an emergency.

Flight Deck 100

Flight Deck Approach Air Traffic Control Final Approach 100

Photographic Logbook

JULY 14, 2024

As WFC President, he humbly suggested that I could legitimately use the callsign "Williamson One" with air traffic control. We overflew the airport at 1,000 feet above the pattern from north to south, then made an arcing, descending turn to the 45° entry for the downwind leg to runway 28. Photo by Alicia. Photo by Alicia.

Runway 95

Runway Weather Airplanes Approach 95

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. Wind direction.

Pilot 52

Pilot Runway Air Traffic Control Approach 52

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 19, 2024

A VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) approach might seem challenging at first, but like anything, practice makes perfect. This type of approach is a non-precision instrument procedure that uses ground-based radio signals to guide you safely to a waypoint or the runway, even when visibility is poor.

VOR 52

VOR Approach Descent Final Approach 52

Flight Training Central

OCTOBER 28, 2024

The Terminal Arrival Area (TAA) approach is designed to provide a transition from the IFR enroute segment to the approach environment with little required interaction between the pilot and air traffic control (ATC). Some areas of the Basic T may be eliminated, while other areas are expanded.

Approach 52

Approach Clearance Air Traffic Control Final Approach 52

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 29, 2024

When used strategically you can use this information to gain additional insight into what’s going on in the airspace around you and make more informed decisions on each flight, giving you an edge when dealing with air traffic control. Call the controller or a flight service specialist. How is the weather developing?

Clearance 52

Clearance Weather Approach Runway 52

Photographic Logbook

APRIL 19, 2024

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. I intercepted the approach course and after a few moments, reached the final approach fix at JUNIA.

Approach 77

Approach Wind Shear Runway VOR 77

Photographic Logbook

JULY 9, 2024

Boston Skyways -- a Boston Logan Tower frequency dedicated to city tour traffic -- will set restrictions for pilots based on which runways are in active use at Logan. The more I learned, the more I understood that a Boston city tour by air is truly a "choose your own adventure" kind of experience within any boundaries set by Skyways.

Clearance 52

Clearance Runway Approach Stability 52

Photographic Logbook

OCTOBER 10, 2023

Normally, when approaching a non-towered airport like Williamson Sodus, air traffic control will instruct the inbound aircraft to "squawk VFR" (i.e., As I taxied off the runway, Moe greeted me on Unicom and directed me to a parking spot. That cannot happen in the FRZ. Welcome to College Park!"

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Transponder Clearance Approach General Aviation 52

Pilot Institute

MAY 8, 2025

You’re on your final approach and suddenly realize your landing gear isnt down. Instead of rolling on wheels, the aircrafts underside makes direct contact with the runway. Depending on your options, you may be forced to land on a runway, a field, or even water. Belly landings, while rare, can happen to any pilot.

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Air Traffic Control Runway Pilot Approach 52

One Mile at a Time

MAY 14, 2025

At 2:19PM local time, the jet touched down on runway 12 at Pragues Vclav Havel Airport. However, after making contact with the runway, the pilots initiated a go around, during which time the jet suffered a tail strike. Did they land too far down the runway, were they going too fast, was there something on the runway, or what?

Tail 82

Tail Air Traffic Control Runway Airlines 82

Aerotime

JULY 19, 2024

Haynes took the controls and, noting the same control issues, reduced thrust on the number one engine, which resulted in the aircraft rolling out in a wings-level attitude, giving the crew critical time to evaluate the dire situation Flight 232 was facing.

Runway 297

Runway Horizontal Stabilizer Airlines Airline 297

Northstar VFR

MARCH 23, 2025

As an aircraft enters the traffic pattern, it begins the process of getting configured to land on the runway. As the plane descends toward the runway on final approach, it may encounter various scenarios where a safe landing cannot be assured. Let's start with the basic principle of the go-around.

Pilot 52

Pilot Wind Shear Instrument Meteorological Conditions Runway 52

Jetwhine

FEBRUARY 21, 2025

Rob __ In June 2023, the FAA published a 167-page document outlining the agencys desire to replace dozens of 40-year-old airport control towers with new environmentally friendly brick-and-mortar structures. Using HD cameras, controllers can zoom in on any given point within the cameras range, say an aircraft on final approach.

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Air Traffic Control Runway Final Approach Approach 63

Professional Pilot

AUGUST 8, 2024

Challenger 604, G-IV Contributing Writer Pilatus PC-12 on approach at ORL. Air traffic control instructions often lead to unstable approaches. The request to make a short approach or maintain a higher-than-normal speed to the final approach fix is the most common reason pilots don’t meet stable approach criteria.

Approach 105

Approach Descent Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) Runway 105

Photographic Logbook

JANUARY 25, 2025

When bay ice consistently thickens to over 12 inches, a team of dedicated volunteers collaborates with the New Hampshire Department of Transportation to open the Alton Bay Ice Runway. Over the years, its coveted status as the only FAA-authorized ice runway in the continental United States has endeared it to aviators seeking novelty.

Runway 75

Runway Airplanes Threshold Approach 75

Photographic Logbook

JULY 21, 2024

Manhattan was his white whale and it was finally going to happen for him on July 21. I think he was anxious about the air traffic control communications, but he planned to follow me in trail so that he could see how the radio work went. Barry about to take runway 22 for departure from Orange County in the Widgeon.

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Weight-Shift-Control Clearance Approach Airplanes 94

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 8, 2024

It seemed to continue this way until we finally rolled onto the runway and got to the good part. Controllers spoke quickly and used unfamiliar words and phrases. Basics of Radio Communications With Air Traffic Control The guiding principle of ATC communications is understanding.

Aeronautical Information Manual 69

Aeronautical Information Manual Runway Pilot Air Traffic Control 69

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 8, 2024

It seemed to continue this way until we finally rolled onto the runway and got to the good part. Controllers spoke quickly and used unfamiliar words and phrases. Basics of Radio Communications With Air Traffic Control The guiding principle of ATC communications is understanding.

Aeronautical Information Manual 52

Aeronautical Information Manual Runway Pilot Air Traffic Control 52

One Mile at a Time

FEBRUARY 27, 2025

It could be that theres sudden wind shear on final approach, or that that visibility is below minimums, or that the aircraft is too high or too fast, etc. Or it could be that a plane just takes several seconds too long to clear the runway, because it doesnt exit at a certain taxiway.

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Airplanes Wind Shear Weather Approach 78

Photographic Logbook

AUGUST 5, 2023

Once in cruise, I prefer to be on an instrument plan for multi-state cross countries because it guarantees coordination with air traffic control and simplifies dealing with any clouds encountered along the way. We landed in calm air, rolled to the end of the runway, and parked at the fuel pump.

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Weather Runway Approach Clearance 52

Photographic Logbook

AUGUST 3, 2024

Climbing away from Harry Browne Airport, I contacted Great Lakes Approach for flight following to Mackinac. This inspired a long discussion with Alyssa about the value of flight following and why we use the optional service from air traffic control. Mackinac Island photographed while over Round Island.

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Airplanes Runway Weather Approach 93

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 25, 2025

Keep a controlled descent and a level attitude to avoid any structural damage or injury. While of course, a runway is ideal, even rough terrain can be survivable if approached correctly. Approach Approach planning can feel like a balancing act between wind direction, field dimensions, and obstacles.

Pilot 59

Pilot Descent Approach Thrust 59

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 15, 2025

The jet slammed into the ground six thousand feet short of the runway, taking the lives of 134 people. Detecting them is difficult, which makes final approach and landing especially dangerous. If you dont act immediately, you could be forced into an uncontrollable descent before you even reach the runway.

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Wind Shear Weather Descent Approach 66

NYC Aviation

JUNE 17, 2020

Abeam – Describes the positioning of an aircraft directly across from or over a navigation aid or runway. A continuous broadcast of weather, active runways, and other important information like NOTAMs (see below). The runway release time assigned to an aircraft operating in traffic management programs.

Runway 52

Runway Air Traffic Control Approach Weather 52

Aerotime

NOVEMBER 25, 2024

2024, a Boeing 737-400 freighter operated by Swift Air of Spain on behalf of global logistics giant DHL crashed on final approach into Vilnius Airport (VNO) in Lithuania, the aircraft’s intended destination. On the morning of November 25. The was 32 minutes ahead of its scheduled departure time of 03:40.

Final Approach 336

Final Approach Approach Instrument Landing System Runway 336

Fear of Landing

JANUARY 31, 2025

Flight 5342 was a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Wichita, Kansas on final approach for runway 33 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). , The relevant interactions start with the controller warning the helicopter about the descending flight. Helicopter : PAT25 has the traffic in sight.

Air Traffic Control 105

Air Traffic Control UTC Approach Final Approach 105