Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 16, 2024

If you focus too much on the inside, you might overlook cues like approaching traffic, changing weather conditions, or landmarks. Here’s what to avoid: “Uh, Chicago Approach, this is Cessna, uh, 34568, we’re at about, uh, 3,000 feet, and we’d like to, uh, request permission to enter the Class Charlie airspace.”

Pilot

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 22, 2025

Join Spencer Suderman as he does just that, on a flight from Jacksonville to Daytona Beach, FL. You’ll learn about the entire process, starting with filing a flight plan in ForeFlight to retrieving an IFR clearance from ATC, en-route navigation, and how to fly the instrument approach at the destination.

Clearance

Flying Magazine

MAY 13, 2025

I wrote out my expected clearance for the outbound leg, briefed every approach, and walked through all the what-ifs I could imagine. The first half of the flight went beautifully. I picked up my clearance, flew the plane, shot the approach, and feltbrieflylike I might just be the worlds newest ace.

Clearance

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

You might have come across this term while studying for your written exam, or maybe it popped up on your sectional chart during flight planning. If you choose to use these services, youll need to establish communication with the appropriate ATC facility, usually Approach Control. Heres the issue. First up is Class B airspace.

Visual Flight Rules

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 5, 2024

You might think that Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) are just about how to control and use your instruments in the aircraft, but you need more than skill–you need a rock-solid plan. IFR flight planning is about preparing for every twist and turn along the route. What Is an IFR Flight Plan?

Flight Plan

Photographic Logbook

MAY 25, 2025

Flying westbound toward Rochester at 6,000 feet, I traversed a variety of unique cloudscapes, blasting through them with impunity courtesy of an IFR clearance An overcast layer deprived Rochester's cityscape of its fullest color potential. When filing the return flight plan, I debated between cruise altitudes of 5,000 and 7,000 feet.

OAT

Air Facts

MAY 7, 2025

The equipment was often not much modernized from the military days so the pilots likely hoped for good weather as they filed their flight plans. The longest runways had front course and back course ILS (Instrument Landing Systems) and an on-field VOR that provided navigation and approach capabilities for aircraft on instrument flights.

Weight-Shift-Control

Pilot Institute

MARCH 6, 2025

In contrast to a control tower, an FSS is not responsible for giving instructions or clearances to aircraft. Pilots are required to check for NOTAMs along their relevant routes or locations before the start of a flight. TFRs are published in real-time and can be checked using drone flight planning apps or via LAANC.

Pilot

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 29, 2024

Just to be clear, although I avoid flying in “hard” IFR, all of my IFR practice includes approaches to minimums, go-arounds, and holding patterns—just in case. Soft” IFR is what you plan for, and “hard” IFR is what you might get. The next leg, and the two after it, followed my standard cross-country plan.

Weather

Air Facts

JUNE 4, 2025

I filed my flight plan and headed out. With takeoff clearance from the tower, I pushed the throttle forward. Post-Flight: Lessons Learned I checked in with Bohol Approach, received vectors for the field, and joined the pattern in VMC. Winds aloft were light and variableideal for a smooth cruise.

Altimeter

Flight Training Central

JUNE 16, 2025

If the restricted area is not active and has been released to the controlling agency, the ATC facility will allow the aircraft to operate in the restricted airspace without issuing specific clearance. An aircraft can operate in these corridors without a clearance from or communication with ATC. SFRA flight plan.

Clearance

AV Web

JUNE 24, 2025

Familiar Is The Enemy Another pitfall real pilots make is assuming that simming is all about approaches. Believe it or not, flying approaches in the sim has very little value for most seasoned instrument pilots who fly them on a weekly basis. Or even a full-procedure approach own nav? But how often do you fly a SID?

Weather

Air Facts

APRIL 11, 2025

For example, in Pilot, you can do all your flight planning on the Map page, including graphically editing your route with your finger or tapping the bar above it to bring down your current plan to manually enter waypoints. But you could also do all your planning by using the dedicated Flight Plan page as well.

Cockpit

Air Facts

JULY 9, 2025

I recently departed without calculating my takeoff distance or obstacle clearance. On more than one occasion, I landed from a non–“stable approach,” being both below and above target approach speeds. I’ve even flown without talking to ATC or filing a flight plan. I’ve flown non-standard traffic patterns.

Pilot

Flying Magazine

JULY 25, 2025

They need to not only understand things like airspace boundaries, cloud clearance requirements, and surface visibility minimums, but must also be able to coordinate their turns, manage their altitudes and headings, and work the radios while putting that knowledge to use. In the simulator, it’s a sandbox for refining airmanship.

Cockpit

Air Facts

JUNE 20, 2025

I filed my VFR flight plans, gathered my friends and gear, and we launched, picking up flight following enroute. Everything went as planned until the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel came into view. Washington Center handed me off to Norfolk Approach just before we crossed the bay. miles visibility.

Airplanes

Photographic Logbook

JUNE 29, 2025

Buttonology as a Key to Instrument Proficiency Date Aircraft Route of Flight Time (hrs) Total (hrs) 29 Jun 2025 N21481 SDC (Sodus, NY) - GED (Georgetown, DE) - MD1 (Massey, MD) - EVY (Middletown, DE) - N57 (Toughkenamon, PA) - SDC 6.6 At the end of our otherwise perfunctory exchange, Rochester signed off with, "Have a great flight, Chris!"

Runway

Photographic Logbook

MAY 18, 2025

Even on the Rochester Approach frequency, it is not uncommon to hear anonymous "hey Barry" greetings from random pilots when the Widgeon's owner broadcasts. It seemed that he thought I was dispensing take-off clearances. Eight Five X-Ray went airborne, undoubtedly boosted slightly by the active wind.

Ceiling

Aerotime

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

Yakobchuk Viacheslav / Shutterstock With the doors set and everyone in their seats, ground staff disembarked, and doors all secured, your flight is finally ready to depart. With the flight controls checked, the next thing you may notice (and indeed hear) is the extension of the flaps on the rear of the wing into the take-off position.

Cabin Crew

Flying Magazine

MAY 30, 2025

Radio calls, hold entries, and approach briefs all contribute to the mental stacka skill in itself to manage. One of the most essential tools for staying ahead of the airplane is the electronic flight bag (EFB). Every phase of flight has a checklist, clearance, frequency change, routing amendment, weather check, or procedure review.

Pilot

Air Facts

DECEMBER 18, 2024

Now, instead of showing up in flight ops and finding my flight planning had all been done for me by my dispatcher, I was now the dispatcher. KMPO is an non-towered field as are several other places I fly to and from on an IFR flight plan. We would shoot some approaches there, then return IFR to PGD.

Clearance

Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 12, 2024

Use the CRAFT acronym to note down departure clearances quickly. The Importance of Clear IFR Radio Communication If youre on an IFR flight, chances are youre dealing with clouds and low visibility. You may be asking for a clearance or reporting your position. Every flight has those. What are your intentions?

Approach

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 23, 2024

For an instrument pilot, though, there is one key difference between a smaller, non-towered airport and a larger one with an air traffic control tower: obtaining an IFR clearance. To review, flying an IFR trip involves four main steps: File a flight plan (either with Flight Service or in an aviation app).

Clearance

Flight Training Central

OCTOBER 14, 2024

IFR Alternate Airport Planning Legal requirements for selecting an alternate airport Additional GPS Approach Considerations Which weather forecast should you use? While every IFR flight requires you to file an IFR flight plan and receive an ATC clearance, not every flight is flown in IFR conditions.

Ceiling

Universal Weather

APRIL 17, 2024

Due to local noise restrictions, LFMD mandates that the crew obtain a special approach briefing, which can be found on the airport site. Once an available slot and PPR have been obtained, you’ll receive a confirmation – one number for both – and this needs to be placed in Remarks section 18 of the flight plan.

Clearance

Universal Weather

OCTOBER 6, 2024

As the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP 29) approaches, business aviation operators planning travel to Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11-22, 2024 , should prepare for heightened restrictions, slot requirements, and enhanced security protocols. Flight Plan Submission : File flight plans (FPL) 48 hours in advance.

Clearance

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 6, 2024

Maybe it’s the Georgia flying weather, or maybe it’s the ever-increasing emphasis on “old” pilot instead of “bold” pilot, but it seems that flight planning these days is a lot more about if and when than about route and altitude. It’s only two hours by RV-9A, but there are gotchas lurking in the flight planning.

Airplanes

Professional Pilot

JULY 16, 2024

The InSight installation on the Hawker 800XP includes three high-resolution displays and two touchscreen-enabled control displays, integrating with the Universal FMS to enable Data Communications and LPV approaches. The integrated FMS enables graphical flight planning and streamlines operations.

Payload

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 22, 2024

As I started to plan it, I thought about the concept of SRM and set some ground rules for myself. First, I planned to fly into midsize airports equipped with both approach radar and an operating tower. In solid IFR, it was time for Plan B. It was time to divert. The folks at the FBO were gracious and helpful.

Weather

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 12, 2024

six instrument approaches, holding procedures, and intercepting and tracking courses in the appropriate category of aircraft. completes the required 6 hours and six approaches, followed by an instrument proficiency check given by an FAA-designated examiner. the ILS approach can be credited only if you use a view-limiting device.

Instrument Flight Rules

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

Join Spencer Suderman as he does just that, on a flight from Jacksonville to Daytona Beach, FL. You’ll learn about the entire process, starting with filing a flight plan in ForeFlight to retrieving an IFR clearance from ATC, en-route navigation, and how to fly the instrument approach at the destination.

Clearance

Photographic Logbook

APRIL 19, 2024

I expected minimal IMC time and the need for an approach appeared beyond remote. However, there was a presidential TFR (temporary flight restriction) around Scranton that lay on a direct line between Sodus and Philly. The reroute was minimal, an insertion of Yardley VOR (ARD) into my flight plan. Famous last words.)

Approach

Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 6, 2024

CRAFT is a simple way pilots remember their IFR clearance. Key Takeaways Use the acronym CRAFT as a helpful guide to break down your IFR clearance. Avoid the common mistakes in receiving your clearance by staying prepared and organized. Develop your own techniques alongside CRAFT and keep practicing to master IFR clearances.

Clearance

Flying Magazine

MAY 15, 2024

Put the aircraft in level flight to give them a moment to consider their next course of action so they are not anxiously doing climbs, descents, and unplanned turns. Have the learner go through a flight from start-up to shutdown using the GPS. This is a lesson that should not be rushed. This throws down a gauntlet of challenge.

Crosswind

Plane and Pilot

JULY 3, 2024

Keep interaction with passengers, other tasks you might want to perform during your flight, or even management of the resources used in the flight deck—such as an electronic flight bag (EFB) device—to periods where the workload is minimal and you don’t sacrifice attention necessary to complete more critical tasks.

Weather

Northstar VFR

NOVEMBER 12, 2024

Even the most basic kneeboard can be a huge help to a pilot for writing down clearances, ATIS information, or heading/altitude instructions. EFBs make flight deck management simple by keeping aeronautical charts, scratch pads, weather information, and approach plates housed in a single app such as ForeFlight or Garmin Pilot.

Pilot

Pilot Institute

SEPTEMBER 26, 2024

Before entering Class C airspace, pilots must receive clearance from Air Traffic Control (ATC). Maintaining awareness of airspace boundaries helps with the planning and carrying out of successful flights. Before flying into Class C airspace, a pilot must obtain a clearance from ATC. Here’s what you need to know.

Clearance