Pilot Institute

APRIL 22, 2025

Ground reference maneuvers aim to train you to accurately control your airplane under various wind conditions. Be respectful, and remember that your airplane makes a lot of noise. When the wind is coming from directly behind the airplane, ideally, no wind correction angle is necessary. For this turn, use a moderate bank angle.

Crosswind 52

Crosswind Airplanes Aileron Rudder 52

Air Facts

DECEMBER 30, 2024

This came after a week of weather delay with some of the thickest fog I had ever seen blanketed Vancouver Island. Our airplane is certified for day VFR operations only, so my progress was at the mercy of daylight length and good VMC. I checked THE weather and made plans for the next leg.

Weather 98

Weather Approach VFR On Top Knot 98

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. With a screaming tailwind, I was seeing a groundspeed of 185 kts at 6,500 feet.

Weather 98

Weather Knot Ceiling Turbulence 98

Air Facts

MAY 10, 2024

A perfectly good airplane with everything operating as expected. ICAO minima for circling approaches is much higher than that stipulated in the FARs so consider higher weather minima. We also benefit from the latest weather updates. A proactive policy may very well be to prohibit night circling approaches Weather updates?

Approach 97

Approach AGL Descent Runway 97

iPad Pilot News

NOVEMBER 5, 2024

We’ve been flying with the Apple Watch since it first launched, and it’s become increasingly useful every year for both preflight weather checks and as an in-cockpit resource. Cloud Map Quickly check any of the 120 NOAA weather station satellite images for visible cloud cover.

Pilot 52

Pilot Altimeter Weather NOTAMs 52

Photographic Logbook

NOVEMBER 25, 2023

There are days when I am awestruck by the incredible scenes I can traverse with my airplane. Aside from a groundspeed boost from a tailwind, the outbound flight was nondescript. For both Scott and I, it was an opportunity to get back into the cockpit and fly for the simple sake of flying.

Groundspeed 52

Groundspeed Cockpit Weather Runway 52

AV Web

MAY 22, 2024

That is consistent with this accident, in that witnesses reported seeing the airplane descending with both wings folded up before impact. The pilot of the accident airplane being a physician has rekindled a lurid stereotypical expression involving V-tail Bonanzas. Fortunately, I never found myself in the position to make that decision.

Tail 105

Tail Instrument Meteorological Conditions Knot Groundspeed 105

AV Web

MAY 22, 2024

That is consistent with this accident, in that witnesses reported seeing the airplane descending with both wings folded up before impact. The pilot of the accident airplane being a physician has rekindled a lurid stereotypical expression involving V-tail Bonanzas. Fortunately, I never found myself in the position to make that decision.

Tail 98

Tail Instrument Meteorological Conditions Knot Groundspeed 98

Air Facts

AUGUST 5, 2024

The Warrior has introduced countless people to the joys of light airplanes. Following a check of the weather, NOTAMS and TFR’s, you are confronted with some decisions to make. The weather is VMC but it’s hot, and the density altitude is really creeping up there. And if you think it couldn’t happen to you, think again.

Density Altitude 98

Density Altitude Ceiling Runway Weather 98

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 4, 2024

That day, he was solo in a 1996 Extra EA-300L single-engine unlimited competition aerobatic airplane. Weather wasn’t a factor either, the sun coming up on a glorious Nevada morning. At times, the airplane was less than 200 feet above ground level. In one video, the airplane goes temporarily out of view behind a ridgeline.

Descent 75

Descent Airplanes Knot Groundspeed 75

iPad Pilot News

SEPTEMBER 3, 2024

How to use the Sentry Plus advanced features iPad Pilot News Portable ADS-B receivers have become essential gear for most pilots flying with an iPad these days, providing ADS-B traffic/weather and GPS navigation. Use as GPS > If you’re connected to multiple input sources (e.g.,

Groundspeed 52

Groundspeed Knot Airplanes Pilot 52

Air Facts

AUGUST 21, 2024

We live at an airpark, and the airplanes are steps from my kitchen. Given good weather, there is no excuse not to go fly. My Sonex cruises about 130 mph at this power setting, but headed southeast into the wind I am losing an easy 15 mph on my groundspeed. The grin on my face seems permanent these days.

Groundspeed 98

Groundspeed Runway Approach Crosswind 98

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 4, 2024

That day, he was solo in a 1996 Extra EA-300L single-engine unlimited competition aerobatic airplane. Weather wasn’t a factor either, the sun coming up on a glorious Nevada morning. At times, the airplane was less than 200 feet above ground level. In one video, the airplane goes temporarily out of view behind a ridgeline.

Descent 52

Descent Airplanes Knot Groundspeed 52

Pilot Institute

APRIL 5, 2024

Landing an airplane is not easy, even for experienced pilots. But don’t hang up your headset just because the weather isn’t perfect. A headwind lowers groundspeed , making landing easier. Use weather forecast charts, METARs, and Terminal Area Forecasts (TAFs). Consider learning to fly tailwheel airplanes.

Crosswind 52

Crosswind Longitudinal Axis Aileron Rudder 52

Air Facts

APRIL 29, 2024

A pit stop at North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (KCRE) was planned, and after a weather briefing, I filed an IFR flight plan. The Mooney is well-equipped for weather avoidance as it is equipped with a sophisticated spheric lighting detector. We were wheels up around 1:30pm. RNAV 24 at KCPC. We’re now following a Saratoga.

Descent 98

Descent Approach Weather AGL 98

Air Facts

MARCH 10, 2025

Their peripheral vision and hand-eye coordination barely work for pickleball, let alone landing an airplane.” You needed some familiarity with performance charts for the written test, but it’s during the nav log lesson that you must read and understand the performance charts of the airplane you’re actually flying.

Checkride 52

Checkride Density Altitude Calibrated Airspeed True Airspeed 52