Altimeter, Approach and VOR - Aviator Connection

RNAV Approaches Simplified: A Guide for New Pilots

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 15, 2025

Well, one important thing youll need to know is RNAV approaches. These approaches use GPS to help you land and offer more flexibility than traditional systems like ILS. In this guide, you’ll learn how RNAV approaches work, the different types available, and tips to make them feel natural and straightforward.

Approach

Approach Pilot Descent Airplanes

Trial by Ice

Air Facts

MAY 5, 2025

The ice finally disappeared altogether as we descended into clear skies and above freezing air on our approach to Kirksville. All in all, the weather looked perfect for my very first cross country where I would be in actual instrument conditions for the entire flight, including the approach.

VOR

VOR Weather Approach Runway

Who is the pilot in command of your aircraft?

Air Facts

FEBRUARY 10, 2025

Consider the following accident report, a representative one picked mostly at random, which recounts how the pilot of an A36 Bonanza got behind the airplane, lost situational awareness, and ultimately crashed on an RNAV approach. These categories apply whether youre flying a Cub on a summer evening or a business jet on an RNAV approach.

Pilot in Command

Pilot in Command Pilot Approach Airplanes

Sporty’s Most Frequently Missed Test Questions—June 2025

Flight Training Central

JUNE 20, 2025

The OBS for a VOR indicator is set to 253. What is the aircraft's approximate location with reference to the VOR station? Based upon the altitude indicated by altimeter #3, which course direction is appropriate for this VFR cruising altitude? Does the elevator of a T-tail airplane buffet as the main wing approaches a stall?

VOR

VOR Altimeter AGL Tail

Holding Procedures – Airplane Holding Patterns Easily Explained

Pilot Institute

JUNE 9, 2025

If it is obvious that the bad weather is transitory, air traffic control may ask approaching aircraft to take up a holding pattern while the weather subsides. To avoid airplanes constantly changing direction and approach procedures, ATC may ask them to take up the hold while the airport is reconfigured. The hold over “Kingston” VOR?

Airplanes

Airplanes Crosswind Approach Knot

The Day I Learned to Trust My Instruments

Air Facts

JUNE 4, 2025

I tuned the Manila VOR to confirm my position and set up the next waypoint. I focused on the panel: attitude indicator, heading indicator, altimeter. I locked into a steady scan: attitude, altimeter, turn coordinator, back to heading. Below me stretched a patchwork of rice fields, coconut groves, and coastal villages.

Altimeter

Altimeter Turbulence Weather VOR

I Almost Hit the Trees: A Lesson in IFR Vertigo

Air Facts

JUNE 23, 2025

I turned back and entered the holding pattern over the VOR where the approach to Whiting Field began. As each airplane ahead of me began their approach, I descended in the holding pattern. I checked the course deviation indicator for the straight-in approach—but the needle didn’t make sense. Heading: correct.

Altimeter

Altimeter VOR Approach Runway

Mastering IFR Approach Radio Calls: A Simple Guide for Pilots

Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 12, 2024

For example: Pilot: Seattle Approach, Cessna November Four Five One Romeo, Two Zero miles west of Seattle VOR, at 8,000, with Sierra, to land. For example, ATC: Fly runway heading until two miles from Kennedy VOR, then turn right, heading one zero zero. ATC will let you know the current altimeter setting in their reply.

Approach

Approach Clearance Pilot Aeronautical Information Manual

How to Brief an Instrument Approach (Step-by-Step)

Pilot Institute

MAY 1, 2024

For new instrument pilots, flying an approach to minimums is a big challenge. Adding an approach briefing to the mix feels like one task too many. Luckily, mastering approach briefings is not as hard as it seems. This article breaks down how to deliver a top-notch approach briefing, every time. Final approach course.

Approach

Approach NOTAMs Runway Weather

MDA vs. DA Made Simple: A Guide to IFR Minimums

Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 12, 2024

If you’re on a non-precision or precision approach, understanding MDA (Minimum Descent Altitude) and DA (Decision Altitude) is incredibly important. Key Takeaways MDA applies to non-precision approaches, requiring pilots to level off at a minimum altitude. IFR approaches use something called approach minimums.

Altimeter

Altimeter Descent Approach Runway

HSI vs. CDI: What’s the Difference?

Pilot Institute

MARCH 13, 2025

You can use the CDI with navigation aids like VOR (VHF Omnidirectional Range) or GPS. We wont explain technical details, so you may not understand the example if you havent used a VOR. Imagine were flying an HSI-equipped airplane away from VOR. Q: What is the difference between a VOR and a HSI? What would you say to them?

VOR

VOR Cockpit Altimeter Weather

Complete Preflight Checklists All Pilots Need

Northstar VFR

SEPTEMBER 1, 2024

PROGRAMMING The pilot’s reminder to check installed and personal equipment, equipment proficiency, and planning for airport information and approaches. Before flying, a pilot must verify these inspections have been performed by looking in the maintenance logs. Do they have a back-up plan in place if the flight cannot proceed?

Pilot

Pilot Weather Checkride Annual Inspection

Garmin SmartCharts: a pilot’s guide to interactive instrument charts

iPad Pilot News

JUNE 3, 2025

Having access to always-updated, geo-referenced versions of sectionals, airport diagrams, and approach plates is table stakes these daysbut it still matters more than synthetic vision or digital logbooks. and any adjustments to be made (runway lighting out of service, remote altimeter setting, etc.). That changed last week.

NOTAMs

NOTAMs Approach Runway Airplanes

Class B Airspace Explained

Pilot Institute

APRIL 24, 2024

Two-way radio contact with the approach controller is not enough. If flying under IFR, you’ll need a VOR or TACAN receiver, or an RNAV system (GPS). To request Bravo clearance, call the approach controller when you’re about 30-40 miles out. Learn the typical approaches and altitudes. This is called a ‘push’.

Clearance

Clearance Ceiling Airspace Classes Transponder

ATC Communications: What to Say, and When

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 8, 2024

Say you are approaching the Grand Prairie Municipal Airport from the south in a Cessna 12345 and want to make a full stop landing. There are a wide variety of options on the market, ranging from simple radios to units with GPS/VOR navigation features and full ILS capabilities.

Aeronautical Information Manual

Aeronautical Information Manual Runway Pilot Air Traffic Control

ATC Communications: What to Say, and When

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 8, 2024

Say you are approaching the Grand Prairie Municipal Airport from the south in a Cessna 12345 and want to make a full stop landing. There are a wide variety of options on the market, ranging from simple radios to units with GPS/VOR navigation features and full ILS capabilities.

Aeronautical Information Manual

Aeronautical Information Manual Runway Pilot Air Traffic Control

Navigating Instrument Failure at 10,000 Feet

Fear of Landing

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

I ignore him, select three VOR stations, determine our radial from each of them, draw it on the map, and determine our approximate position based on the intersection of the lines. I might as well chat with the altimeter. I say, “For fun, I’ll use instruments to triangulate our position.” Can you see anything?”

Weather

Weather Knot Distance Measuring Equipment Pilot

Aviator Connection

RNAV Approaches Simplified: A Guide for New Pilots

Trial by Ice

Trending Sources

Who is the pilot in command of your aircraft?

Sporty’s Most Frequently Missed Test Questions—June 2025

Holding Procedures – Airplane Holding Patterns Easily Explained

The Day I Learned to Trust My Instruments

I Almost Hit the Trees: A Lesson in IFR Vertigo

Mastering IFR Approach Radio Calls: A Simple Guide for Pilots

How to Brief an Instrument Approach (Step-by-Step)

MDA vs. DA Made Simple: A Guide to IFR Minimums

HSI vs. CDI: What’s the Difference?

Complete Preflight Checklists All Pilots Need

Garmin SmartCharts: a pilot’s guide to interactive instrument charts

Class B Airspace Explained

ATC Communications: What to Say, and When

ATC Communications: What to Say, and When

Navigating Instrument Failure at 10,000 Feet

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