Pilot Institute

JUNE 9, 2025

Today we will explain airplane holding patterns in detail, answer some common questions, and even teach you a few ‘hacks’ to make flying a hold a real breeze. A holding procedure is when an airplane flies in a pattern to maintain its geographic location using its onboard navigational instruments. Here’s why airplanes take up the hold.

Airplanes 52

Airplanes Crosswind Approach Knot 52

Flying Magazine

MAY 6, 2024

You could also identify this using the R-194 radial crossing from the STL VOR, using an ADF tuned to the NDB station of 227 if you still have one that works, or you can use your audio panel to identify passage of the outer marker beacon. That requires four different frequencies.

VOR 59

VOR Final Approach NDB Approach 59

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 22, 2025

Non-precision approaches (such as a localizer, VOR, LNAV, or NDB) use a Maltese cross for the FAF. Precision approaches (such as ILS) use a jagged arrow to mark the FAF. This is the point where you should intercept the ILS glideslope. At this point you should start descending to the Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA).

Approach 52

Approach Descent Runway Final Approach 52

Fear of Landing

JANUARY 3, 2025

The flight crew requested an NDB approach to Grozny and were cleared for approach to runway 26. Flight 8243 : Left 360, my airplane is losing control. This strongly indicated GPS jamming, a tactic frequently used by Russian forces to counter Ukrainian drone operations despite being prohibited under international regulations.

Weather 111

Weather Airline Airlines Approach 111