Remove Altimeter Remove Clearance Remove Descent
article thumbnail

Flight Instruments vs. Avionics

WayMan

Altimeter: Shows the altitude of the aircraft above a designated reference point, essential for flight level assignment and terrain clearance. Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI): Indicates the aircraft’s rate of climb or descent, making it possible to accurately control the vertical flight path.

article thumbnail

Trial by Ice

Air Facts

I filed my IFR flight plan, received a clearance and took off into the gray winter sky. We entered the holding pattern over Jeff City, flew two circuits and finally received our approach clearance. Passing through 2,800, the altimeter almost stopped, but finally, at 2,900 we punched through the inversion layer!

VOR
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

RNAV Approaches Simplified: A Guide for New Pilots

Pilot Institute

LNAV Approach An LNAV (Lateral Navigation) approach helps guide you left and right toward the runway, but it doesnt tell you how to control your descent. Instead of a Decision Height (DH), youll use something called a Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA). Theyre only meant to keep the descent stable. Thats up to you! Easy, right?

article thumbnail

The Day I Learned to Trust My Instruments

Air Facts

With takeoff clearance from the tower, I pushed the throttle forward. I focused on the panel: attitude indicator, heading indicator, altimeter. I acknowledged and began a gentle descent. I locked into a steady scan: attitude, altimeter, turn coordinator, back to heading. I filed my flight plan and headed out.

article thumbnail

Accident Briefs—July 2025

Plane and Pilot

Investigators noted at the time of the accident the temperature was 30 degrees Celsius, the dew point was 4 C, and the altimeter setting was 29.98. Probable cause(s): The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees after takeoff, during high density altitude weather conditions. The calculated density altitude was 4,790 feet.

article thumbnail

How an EFB Helps Private Pilots Transition to IFR Flying

Flying Magazine

The altimeter started slipping. He lost 200 feet before even noticing the descent. Every phase of flight has a checklist, clearance, frequency change, routing amendment, weather check, or procedure review. A typical IFR flight might begin with a clearance to copy prior to takeoff. His scan fell apart within seconds.

article thumbnail

Flying a Skylane From Canada to Belize

Air Facts

Upon clearing the Pine Valley Mountain range, I began my descent once clear of its 10,000-foot peak past breathtaking red sandstone cliff walls to the 2,800 ft elevation field. Additionally, the needle on my altimeter at one point was swinging through 500 increments! My approach into St.