Air Traffic Control and VOR - Aviator Connection

AVIATES Acronym Explained

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 30, 2024

V – VOR Check If you’re flying under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), your VOR navigation equipment must be tested every 30 days. Logging the VOR check in your maintenance records is a must for compliance. Without this, you can’t fly in most controlled airspace. Keep up with your annual inspection and the VOR check.

Annual Inspection

Annual Inspection VOR Federal Aviation Regulations Altimeter

The Essential Guide to Runway Markings

Pilot Institute

JUNE 19, 2025

They serve as visual aids to guide pilots, ground crew, and Air Traffic Control, indicating the boundaries and areas of different spaces of the airfield, such as runways, taxiways, holding positions, and parking areas. It’s positioned for easy access by aircraft but won’t obstruct other airport traffic too much.

Runway

Runway Threshold Instrument Landing System VOR

Airport Beacons Explained

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 12, 2025

This isnt a strict rule, but its especially common at airports where Air Traffic Control (ATC) staff can control the beacons. However, many airports use photoelectric cells or timers to control their beacons, so ATC staff cant always control them directly.

VOR

VOR Instrument Landing System Pilot Weather

Who is the pilot in command of your aircraft?

Air Facts

FEBRUARY 10, 2025

Thats especially true for instrument pilots, where Air Traffic Control sounds like they are running the show, the avionics seem to direct the flight along predefined routes, and the autopilot actually flies the airplane. But as obvious as this sounds, its surprisingly hard to do in the real world.

Pilot in Command

Pilot in Command Pilot Approach Airplanes

Flight Instruments vs. Avionics

WayMan

JUNE 16, 2025

It involves an extensive set of advanced systems: Navigation Systems: Such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), VHF Omni-Directional Range (VOR) receivers, and Inertial Navigation Systems (INS), offering accurate positional knowledge and guidance.

Instrument Meteorological Conditions

Instrument Meteorological Conditions Omni-Directional Range Primary Flight Display Cockpit

Experience in the Chair: Guiding a Twin Beech Home

Air Facts

MAY 7, 2025

It was common practice for tower controllers to monitor the area control centre enroute frequency. 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.

Weight-Shift-Control

Weight-Shift-Control VOR Runway Distance Measuring Equipment

Are There Consequences for Declaring an Emergency in Flight?

Flying Magazine

MAY 21, 2025

While declaring does not guarantee a way out of a bad situation, it can connect a pilot with more resources such as air traffic control, which because of the nature of the job may have a better grasp of the options available. The aircraft then entered a series of banks and turns. Although NTSB 830.5

Pilot

Pilot Air Traffic Control Cockpit Airplanes

Understanding a Visual Approach Chart or VAC

Air

JUNE 17, 2025

Its purpose is twofold: on one hand, it provides the pilot with clear guidance, and on the other, it enables the Air Traffic Control service to manage aircraft flows in a predictable and safe manner. Holding patterns: Depicts the specific circuits where an aircraft must orbit if instructed to hold by air traffic control.

Approach

Approach Air Traffic Control Visual Flight Rules NDB

Drone Lingo Simplified: Acronyms Every Pilot Needs To Know

Pilot Institute

MARCH 6, 2025

FAA Federal Aviation Administration The FAA is the US federal government agency in charge of aviation standards, air traffic control, airspace safety, and the certification of personnel and aircraft. Then that is BVLOS, even if the drone is just 100 feet away. The list of accepted MOCs is available at the FAA website.

Pilot

Pilot Weather Air Traffic Control NOTAMs

Holding Procedures – Airplane Holding Patterns Easily Explained

Pilot Institute

JUNE 9, 2025

Traffic Busy airports can only accommodate a certain number of airplanes safely at any one time. The ramp may be busy, or air traffic control may have reached its limit regarding how many airplanes they can safely monitor within their airspace. That way, air traffic control can keep other traffic around the airport clear.

Airplanes

Airplanes Crosswind Approach Knot

Don’t Stop at Private Pilot—10 Reasons to Get Your Instrument Rating Next

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. An instrument rating unlocks access to: Airports with IFR approaches (ILS, RNAV, VOR, etc.) A busy Class B airport?

Pilot

Pilot Weather Visual Flight Rules Approach

Flight Instructor Guide: Where to Learn to Fly in Mesa, AZ

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

Checkride Air Traffic Control Weather Cockpit

Clear Air Turbulence: How It Happens and How to Handle It

Pilot Institute

MAY 26, 2025

Stay tuned to other pilots reports and any advisories from air traffic control. You: We experienced severe clear air turbulence at flight level 400, approximately 35 miles northeast of DBL VOR. These reports help other crews and air traffic controllers stay informed about dangerous areas.

Turbulence

Turbulence Wind Shear Weather Jet

Biennial Flight Review Guide: Preparing for Success

Pilot's Life Blog

FEBRUARY 10, 2025

Familiarity with navigation aids, such as VORs and GPS, is also important. Communication Proficiency Clear and concise communication with Air Traffic Control (ATC) is vital for safe flight operations.

Weather

Weather Pilot Aeronautical Decision-Making Federal Aviation Regulations

Unveiling the Hidden Dynamics: How Weather Shapes Air Traffic Control

Flying Magazine

JUNE 24, 2025

Subscribe Now At the macro level, you’ll find air traffic controllers located at the 21 Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs) and at various approach control facilities that serve one or more airports throughout the United States and its territories.

Air Traffic Control

Air Traffic Control Weather Wind Shear Turbulence

How to Fly a VOR Approach: Made Easy

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 19, 2024

Are you curious about flying a VOR approach? If you’re aiming to master instrument-rated flying, it’d be valuable to learn about VOR approaches. We’ll cover what a VOR approach is, how to fly it step-by-step, and even whether GPS can replace it in today’s navigation. Ready to make VOR approaches easy?

VOR

VOR Approach Descent Final Approach

3 holding scenarios to perfect in a flight simulator

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 15, 2024

At that point, you proceed on course as directed by air traffic control. Santa Monica Municipal (KSMO) has a fix called DARTS, located on V-186, that serves as the intermediate fix for the RNAV 21 and the VOR-A approaches. You would establish yourself on the appropriate inbound reciprocal course accordingly.

Aeronautical Information Manual

Aeronautical Information Manual VOR Approach Air Traffic Control

What Is Pilot Ground School?

Pilot's Life Blog

DECEMBER 20, 2024

Air Law : Knowing the rules of the sky is essential for every pilot. In ground school, youll study FAA regulations, including how to communicate with air traffic control, maintain flight safety, and understand your rights and responsibilities as a pilot. What topics are covered in ground school?

Pilot

Pilot Air Traffic Control Weather Flight Plan

Class E Airspace Explained

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 2, 2024

You don’t need to check in with air traffic control (ATC) when flying VFR in Class E. It helps separate traffic at different altitudes. Class E is always in the background, making sure both VFR and IFR traffic can coexist in safety. Class E airspace covers more of the skies than you might think.

Airspace Classes

Airspace Classes AGL VOR Clearance

How to Fly the Perfect Holding Pattern (Entry, Wind Correction, etc.)

Pilot Institute

AUGUST 9, 2024

Air Traffic Control (ATC) uses these procedures to delay aircraft. Most holding fixes are NAVAIDs such as VORs, RNAV (GPS) waypoints, and even ILS markers. When VORs are used as holding fixes, the fix is usually a specific DME distance on a particular radial.

VOR

VOR Crosswind Approach Pilot

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! You cant rely on visual cues to avoid other traffic – or even navigate accurately. Just like following a recipe, IFR radio calls have a simple structure you can learn and practice.

Approach

Approach Clearance Pilot Aeronautical Information Manual

Sweet Dreams

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. The reroute was minimal, an insertion of Yardley VOR (ARD) into my flight plan. Foolish mortal.

Approach

Approach Wind Shear Runway VOR

Hot Times in the "Freeze"

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. We were cleared direct to College Park via the Westminster VOR (EMI). While this seems obvious to me, the notion seems rare in aviation. What's going on at X today?"

Pilot

Pilot Flight Plan Air Traffic Control General Aviation

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

Photographic Logbook

OCTOBER 10, 2023

Just north of the Selinsgrove VOR, Harrisburg called with the first change in routing. Normally, when approaching a non-towered airport like Williamson Sodus, air traffic control will instruct the inbound aircraft to "squawk VFR" (i.e., Cherokee Four Eight One is cleared direct Baltimore, then direct destination."

Transponder

Transponder Clearance Approach General Aviation

North to Ottawa | Part 3, Caution: Wet Paint

Photographic Logbook

OCTOBER 19, 2023

My filed route to Ogdensburg was via YOW (the Ottawa VOR) and IKLAX. I paid for Canadian charts to facilitate planning and navigation and I will pay a quarterly service fee to Nav Canada for air traffic control services. Though completely unintentional, I liked the effect and kept it. I was instantly annoyed.

Approach

Approach Clearance Airplanes Runway

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

Cross-Country Flying: Tips and Tricks for Planning and Executing Successful Tips

Aviators of Tomorrow

JUNE 13, 2023

Consider these recommendations: a) Maintain Radio Communication: Keep in touch with air traffic control (ATC) and other pilots in your vicinity. b) Use Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS): Equip your aircraft with a Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) to detect and track nearby aircraft.

Air Traffic Control

Air Traffic Control Weather NDB Fixed Base Operator

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

Aviator Connection

AVIATES Acronym Explained

The Essential Guide to Runway Markings

Trending Sources

Airport Beacons Explained

Who is the pilot in command of your aircraft?

Flight Instruments vs. Avionics

Experience in the Chair: Guiding a Twin Beech Home

Are There Consequences for Declaring an Emergency in Flight?

Understanding a Visual Approach Chart or VAC

Drone Lingo Simplified: Acronyms Every Pilot Needs To Know

Holding Procedures – Airplane Holding Patterns Easily Explained

Don’t Stop at Private Pilot—10 Reasons to Get Your Instrument Rating Next

Flight Instructor Guide: Where to Learn to Fly in Mesa, AZ

Clear Air Turbulence: How It Happens and How to Handle It

Biennial Flight Review Guide: Preparing for Success

Unveiling the Hidden Dynamics: How Weather Shapes Air Traffic Control

How to Fly a VOR Approach: Made Easy

3 holding scenarios to perfect in a flight simulator

What Is Pilot Ground School?

Class E Airspace Explained

How to Fly the Perfect Holding Pattern (Entry, Wind Correction, etc.)

Mastering IFR Approach Radio Calls: A Simple Guide for Pilots

Sweet Dreams

Hot Times in the "Freeze"

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

North to Ottawa | Part 3, Caution: Wet Paint

ATC Communications: What to Say, and When

Cross-Country Flying: Tips and Tricks for Planning and Executing Successful Tips

ATC Communications: What to Say, and When

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