Air Facts

JUNE 4, 2025

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.

Altimeter 52

Altimeter Turbulence Weather VOR 52

Flying Magazine

MAY 30, 2025

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.

Pilot 104

Pilot NOTAMs Clearance Approach 104

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 15, 2025

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?

Approach 52

Approach Pilot Descent Airplanes 52

Air Facts

MAY 5, 2025

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 52

VOR Weather Approach Runway 52

Air Facts

DECEMBER 30, 2024

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.

Weather 98

Weather Approach VFR On Top Knot 98

Pilot Institute

MAY 4, 2024

Any substantial changes to speed and descent rate will destabilize the landing. This can greatly impact landing performance and obstacle clearance. The drag allows for a steeper descent, which is particularly helpful when avoiding obstacles. Power controls the rate of descent, and pitch controls airspeed.

Weight-Shift-Control 52

Weight-Shift-Control Runway Density Altitude Descent 52

Pilot Institute

MAY 1, 2024

The landing minimums section includes: Minimum descent altitudes. Preflight Planning Some pilots believe an approach briefing means skimming the chart right before descent. Does the approach match the clearance? Identify the decision altitude (DA) or minimum descent altitude (MDA) valid for your approach.

Approach 52

Approach NOTAMs Runway Weather 52