Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 28, 2025

One of the most important skills pilots learn during flight training is sound decision making. Every flight, regardless of the complexity of the airplane or the distance of the trip, is comprised of a continuous series of decisions involving a host of variables that the pilot must make in order to safely get from point A to point B.

Ceiling

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

You might have come across this term while studying for your written exam, or maybe it popped up on your sectional chart during flight planning. In Class B airspace, both IFR and VFR traffic require ATC clearance to enter. Today, well focus on one of the lesser-known yet important terms: TRSA, or Terminal Radar Service Area.

Visual Flight Rules

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 5, 2024

You might think that Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) are just about how to control and use your instruments in the aircraft, but you need more than skill–you need a rock-solid plan. IFR flight planning is about preparing for every twist and turn along the route. What Is an IFR Flight Plan?

Flight Plan

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 16, 2024

Poor flight planning. Follow these strategies for better pre-flight planning and checklist use: Establish a consistent pre-flight routine. Organize flight planning materials in advance. Here’s what Inadequate preparation can lead to: An accident or loss of engine power. Fuel miscalculations.

Pilot

Flying Magazine

MAY 13, 2025

I wrote out my expected clearance for the outbound leg, briefed every approach, and walked through all the what-ifs I could imagine. The first half of the flight went beautifully. I picked up my clearance, flew the plane, shot the approach, and feltbrieflylike I might just be the worlds newest ace. They stack up quickly.

Clearance

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. How to check: Use flight planning tools like ForeFlight, 1800WXBRIEF, or the FAA NOTAM search. For VFR pilots, visibility and cloud clearance are key. You need to run the numbers before every flight.

NOTAMs

Air Facts

MAY 7, 2025

The equipment was often not much modernized from the military days so the pilots likely hoped for good weather as they filed their flight plans. With 10 passengers and luggage on board the airplane, it was well under gross weight, but it soon became apparent we could not out climb the ice buildup. Such it was in those days.

Weight-Shift-Control

iPad Pilot News

MAY 23, 2025

This AC also points out that cell phones and LTE-enabled iPads, while prohibited from use in flight by FCC regulations, are allowed to be used in aircraft while on the ground (ie, for picking up a clearance or filing a flight plan). The AC “is intended only to provide clarity.” Our suggestion?

Pilot

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 29, 2024

Fussing with the avionics to keep tabs on the weather gave many more knob touches than the airplane itself. The next leg, and the two after it, followed my standard cross-country plan. And on short final at Knoxville, I got chirps from a flock of unrecognized electronic birds, telling me something but not in airplane-speak.

Weather

Flying Magazine

JULY 25, 2025

They need to not only understand things like airspace boundaries, cloud clearance requirements, and surface visibility minimums, but must also be able to coordinate their turns, manage their altitudes and headings, and work the radios while putting that knowledge to use. Fly the airplane you will or do fly in reality. Don’t use a GPS.

Cockpit

Air Facts

JULY 9, 2025

I recently departed without calculating my takeoff distance or obstacle clearance. I’ve even flown without talking to ATC or filing a flight plan. Find a simple airplane. Make sure you’re legal and safe—no TFR busts, plenty of fuel, and a sound airplane. I’ve flown non-standard traffic patterns. Then take off.

Pilot

Air Facts

JUNE 20, 2025

I was very familiar with this airplane and had been using it for my instrument training. The airplane would carry the three of us, a makeshift tarp tent for under the wing, a small cooler, and sleeping bags with pads for the ground. The only airplane available was a 25-year-old C-172 that had seen heavy use as a trainer.

Airplanes

Photographic Logbook

JUNE 29, 2025

"Hi.I'm in Delaware." - Wayne Campbell, Wayne's World , 1992 Restless Pilot Syndrome Having resumed acting as pilot in command of my own airplane after a relatively brief setback, I was delighted beyond words to be back at it. At the end of our otherwise perfunctory exchange, Rochester signed off with, "Have a great flight, Chris!"

Runway

Photographic Logbook

MAY 18, 2025

Fly-ins were few, limited to a medical helicopter, two airplanes, and WFC member Barry arriving in his Widgeon from Rochester. The WFC's travellin' airplanes: Eight Five X-Ray and Eight One Six. Barry's 1946 Grumman Widgeon is probably one of the best known airplanes operating in the Rochester area.

Ceiling

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 6, 2024

Maybe it’s the Georgia flying weather, or maybe it’s the ever-increasing emphasis on “old” pilot instead of “bold” pilot, but it seems that flight planning these days is a lot more about if and when than about route and altitude. It’s only two hours by RV-9A, but there are gotchas lurking in the flight planning.

Airplanes

Aerotime

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

In the case of certain passengers, a flight may represent the first time they have ever been onboard an airplane, generating feelings of excitement and trepidation in equal measure about what may lie ahead. This data can then also be loaded into the aircraft’s flight management system for aircraft performance calculations.

Cabin Crew

iPad Pilot News

DECEMBER 19, 2024

Do I really need to use Airplane Mode on my iPad or iPhone? iPad Pilot News One of the most common questions we hear as pilots is, “Do I really need to put my phone in Airplane Mode?” Is that true in a small airplane? And what is Airplane Mode anyway? And what is Airplane Mode anyway? First, FAR 91.21

Airplanes

Air Facts

DECEMBER 18, 2024

In those years, I never missed a trip as a commuter, never scratched the paint on one of our airplanes, never got an FAA violation, never injured a passenger, and never had a less than cordial conversation with the chief pilot. KMPO is an non-towered field as are several other places I fly to and from on an IFR flight plan.

Clearance

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 23, 2024

Flying a light airplane offers access to thousands more airports than the airlines serve, which means you can land closer to your destination, avoid long taxi routes, and save time. To review, flying an IFR trip involves four main steps: File a flight plan (either with Flight Service or in an aviation app).

Clearance

Flying Magazine

MAY 30, 2025

One of the most essential tools for staying ahead of the airplane is the electronic flight bag (EFB). You likely became introduced to an EFB as a student pilot and probably use one for basic flight planning tasks as a VFR pilot, but using one in instrument flight is different. It is not hard to fall behind.

Pilot

Flying Magazine

MAY 15, 2024

It can also be dangerous when the learner drops the airplane to fly the checklist or radio, so practice in the ATD is often a good way to learn procedures, as the ATD is a CFI-controlled environment. To get the most out of the scenario, the learner should use the same procedures in the airplane. It’s an ATD.

Crosswind

Flight Training Central

OCTOBER 14, 2024

Every flight, regardless of the complexity of the airplane or the distance of the trip, is comprised of a continuous series of decisions involving a host of variables that the pilot must make in order to safely get from point A to point B. Pilots should always be evaluating alternate airports.

Ceiling

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 22, 2024

Last summer I had the golden opportunity to fly a single-engine airplane, not once, but twice, round trip to Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH) in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. First, I planned to fly into midsize airports equipped with both approach radar and an operating tower. The last point was the critical one.

Weather

Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 6, 2024

CRAFT is a simple way pilots remember their IFR clearance. Key Takeaways Use the acronym CRAFT as a helpful guide to break down your IFR clearance. Avoid the common mistakes in receiving your clearance by staying prepared and organized. Develop your own techniques alongside CRAFT and keep practicing to master IFR clearances.

Clearance

iPad Pilot News

MARCH 27, 2025

Air Navigation Pro This flight planning and GPS navigation app is designed for VFR pilots and offers international support, including charts for the US, Europe, South America and more. Embraer Aircraft Services A complete line of apps to assist operators of Embraer aircraft with support and services, performance and flight planning.

Weather

Pilot Institute

SEPTEMBER 26, 2024

Before entering Class C airspace, pilots must receive clearance from Air Traffic Control (ATC). Maintaining awareness of airspace boundaries helps with the planning and carrying out of successful flights. Before flying into Class C airspace, a pilot must obtain a clearance from ATC.

Clearance

Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 12, 2024

Use the CRAFT acronym to note down departure clearances quickly. The Importance of Clear IFR Radio Communication If youre on an IFR flight, chances are youre dealing with clouds and low visibility. You may be asking for a clearance or reporting your position. Every flight has those. Why Why are you calling?

Approach

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 8, 2024

The day before we left, I had already worked the flight plan dozens of times, looking for potential pitfalls and hiccups. I read online about the Hudson River Skyline Route, where we can actually fly our airplane up and down the Hudson River at 1,300 msl for some spectacular views of NYC. Yes, sir, 20Z with VFR request,” I said.

Clearance

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 8, 2024

The day before we left, I had already worked the flight plan dozens of times, looking for potential pitfalls and hiccups. I read online about the Hudson River Skyline Route, where we can actually fly our airplane up and down the Hudson River at 1,300 msl for some spectacular views of NYC. Yes, sir, 20Z with VFR request,” I said.

Clearance

iPad Pilot News

MAY 14, 2024

This AC also points out that cell phones and LTE-enabled iPads, while prohibited from use in flight by FCC regulations, are allowed to be used in aircraft while on the ground (ie, for picking up a clearance or filing a flight plan). The AC “is intended only to provide clarity.” Our suggestion?

Pilot

Air Facts

AUGUST 16, 2024

Flying to Sun ‘n Fun 2024 Air Facts Journal I’ve been flying since 1994 if you don’t count model airplanes, rockets, balsa wood and tissue paper rubber band powered models, control line, radio controlled (R/C) model aircraft and gliders. I fly a Rockwell Commander 114B which I flight plan at 14 gph and 140 kts.

Weather

Photographic Logbook

APRIL 19, 2024

However, there was a presidential TFR (temporary flight restriction) around Scranton that lay on a direct line between Sodus and Philly. It added less than 10 minutes to the overall flight time. hours I had already put on the airplane since the repair increased my confidence that the issue was suitably managed.

Approach

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

Sporty’s Flight Training Central offers a flight school directory to help you identify a flight school and instructor for your IFR training. Complete any necessary preflight planning such as an aircraft weight and balance or IFR flight plan.

Checkride

Pilot Institute

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024

Many factors could prevent the controller from providing this service, such as: Radar Limitations Traffic Volume Controller Workload Frequency Congestion The workload-permitting service makes flight following different from Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) flights. Are you then forced to stick with that plan?

Transponder

Photographic Logbook

SEPTEMBER 24, 2023

September 24: Cloudscapes Date Aircraft Route of Flight Time (hrs) Total (hrs) 24 Sep 2023 N21481 SDC (Sodus, NY) - 5B2 (Saratoga Springs, NY) 1.9 Even slowed by a 25 knot headwind, the airplane still saved time. From flight planning, I knew that we would experience rain, instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and darkness.

Instrument Meteorological Conditions

Air Facts

OCTOBER 25, 2024

As MTH is non-towered, we intended to get our IFR clearance in the air after departing and heading south. But ATC was very helpful and gave us our IFR clearance quickly and we were on our way without even a glimpse of an F-16. He looks up to tell us that we need to file a flight plan. ADIZ”, like right away!

Flight Plan

Flight Training Central

MARCH 18, 2024

For example, a pilot flying IFR in controlled airspace will have to file an IFR flight plan and receive an ATC clearance. For VFR flight, controlled airspace means increased cloud clearance and visibility requirements. Note that no clearance is required to enter Class C, just establishment of communications.

AGL