Remove Airplanes Remove Descent Remove Instrument Meteorological Conditions
article thumbnail

The Pitot-Static System: How It Works

Pilot Institute

” The answers come from a clever little setup on your airplane: a metal tube sticking into the airstream and a tiny hole on the fuselage. These two simple features power three of the most important cockpit instruments. It helps measure how fast the airplane is going by measuring the air pressure. Cool, right?

article thumbnail

Accident Briefs—June 2025

Plane and Pilot

Velocity Andrews, North Carolina/Injuries: 1 Fatal NTSB Report: ERA23FA194 The owner recently purchased the experimental amateur-built, modified airplane. He did not have a lot of experience in the make and model airplane, so he hired the accident pilot to conduct the first flight since recent modifications.

Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Trending Sources

article thumbnail

Accident Briefs—June 2025

Plane and Pilot

Piper PA-28-180 Riverside, California/Injuries: 1 Minor NTSB Report: WPR23LA156 The pilot completed the airplanes engine run-up and carburetor heat function checks with no anomalies noted. Velocity Andrews, North Carolina/Injuries: 1 Fatal NTSB Report: ERA23FA194 The owner recently purchased the experimental amateur-built, modified airplane.

article thumbnail

What is the Pitot-Static System and How Does it Work?

Northstar VFR

As the airplane climbs in altitude, the static pressure decreases. The indication given is a rate of climb or descent in feet per minute (fpm). There is a diaphragm located inside the instrument and is connected to the static line. inches of mercury. The opposite happens as the plane descends.

article thumbnail

Choosing an IFR Alternate Airport

Northstar VFR

by Gustin Robinson, FAA CFI-I ASEL Flying under instrument meteorological conditions keeps even a good pilot on their toes. But now, while flying in low visibility and overcast cloud layers, you have to rely on your instrumentation more than ever before and keep your eyes inside the airplane.

article thumbnail

The Flying Bear Goes to Beantown | Part 4, Going Missed

Photographic Logbook

We spent some time in instrument meteorological conditions over Vermont. Since we lost our LPV approaches due to obstructions along the final approach course, the downgraded LNAV minimum descent altitude for the approach to runway 28 was 558 feet above the ground. Sometimes I have good luck switching to runway 10." "If

Ceiling 52
article thumbnail

The Different Types of Spatial Disorientation

Pilot Institute

But in an airplane, especially in low visibility, you can’t rely on those usual reference points. The movement of the airplane can confuse your body’s senses, making it hard to tell which way you’re going. When you level the airplane, it feels like you’re turning the other way, making you want to lean back into the original turn.

Runway 52