Pilot Institute

MARCH 28, 2025

Category also has different meanings in pilot certification, aircraft certification, and instrument approaches. A quick note before we begin: There are three different definitions of category based on the pilot, the aircraft, or an instrument approach. An aircrafts approach category is determined by Vref (which is 1.3

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Weight-Shift-Control Knot Approach Lift 96

Air Facts

MAY 10, 2024

Danger lurks in circling approaches Air Facts Journal the circling approach maneuver is designed as a last resort, non-precision approach. The very first question that should pop up into our head during a circling approach is “Why are we circling in the first place”? The n ext one is “What are our other options?”

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Approach AGL Descent Runway 97

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 28, 2025

For a flight under IFR or a flight not in the vicinity of an airport, weather reports and forecasts, fuel requirements, alternatives available if the planned flight cannot be completed , and any known traffic delays of which the pilot in command has been advised by ATC.

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Ceiling Weather Approach Flight Plan 52

AV Web

APRIL 8, 2025

I n 1997 the worst runway incursion in aviation history occurred in foggy weather on the island of Tenerife when a KLM 747 began a takeoff with a lost Pan American 747 on the runway. Types of Runway Incursions An incursion results when a pilot crosses a runway-hold marking, takes off, or lands, without clearance.

Runway 52

Runway Clearance Approach Pilot 52

Flying Magazine

MAY 13, 2025

The weather was gray and low that morning several years agoexactly what I wanted. I wrote out my expected clearance for the outbound leg, briefed every approach, and walked through all the what-ifs I could imagine. But when I called up for my IFR clearance back to Grand Prairie, things swiftly went sideways.

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Clearance Cockpit Approach Pilot 61

Aerotime

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

These figures are vital for the crew to be able to calculate the actual take-off speed of the airplane in the prevailing weather conditions (as we’ll see later). One of the first items on before taxi checklists is to set the take-off flaps well before the aircraft approaches the runway.

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Cabin Crew Runway Clearance Knot 271

Flying Magazine

MAY 30, 2025

Radio calls, hold entries, and approach briefs all contribute to the mental stacka skill in itself to manage. At its core, an EFB replaces the binders and kneeboards once stuffed with paper charts, performance tables, and approach plates. A typical IFR flight might begin with a clearance to copy prior to takeoff.

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Pilot NOTAMs Clearance Approach 104

Fear of Landing

NOVEMBER 29, 2024

Clear weather, everything as usual, and the airfield quiet – just ourselves following a BA 747 to the runway. The controller anticipated a late landing clearance due to this aircraft in front. We watched it land and trundle, and continued our approach. We roared briefly into the Heathrow night sky. What could be simpler?

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Runway Air Traffic Control Approach Weather 104

Air Facts

MAY 5, 2025

Take into consideration that weather reporting, and the dissemination of these reports to pilots, was not as accurate then as it is now. In just six months I would reflect on my training and agonize over how inadequately I had been prepared for the real world of instrument flying, which is weather.

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VOR Weather Approach Runway 52

One Mile at a Time

JULY 20, 2024

We can now add yet another near catastrophe to the list, and this might just be the scariest one we’ve seen so far… Southwest 737 MAX has near disaster on approach to Tampa This incident happened on Sunday, July 14, 2024, and involves Southwest Airlines flight WN425 , scheduled to fly from Columbus (CMH) to Tampa (TPA).

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Air Traffic Control Altimeter Runway Weather 141

Plane and Pilot

FEBRUARY 28, 2025

We often hear that the key to a great landing is an equally great approach. And lets face it, the key to that flawless approach is often a well-planned descent. These tools help the pilots deal with this busy section of the flight replete with numerous checklists, changing clearances, and traffic. When to Start Down?

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Descent Approach Final Approach Wind Shear 55

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 29, 2024

This was another satisfying trip, full of ADM, IMSAFE, and trade-offs—and weather. The weather was… interesting. 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. The first two nights there seemed calm, but about 9 p.m.,

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Weather Runway Knot Rudder 79

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.”

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Pilot Weather Altimeter Cockpit 52

Flight Training Central

OCTOBER 14, 2024

For a flight under IFR or a flight not in the vicinity of an airport, weather reports and forecasts, fuel requirements, alternatives available if the planned flight cannot be completed , and any known traffic delays of which the pilot in command has been advised by ATC.

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Ceiling Pilot Weather Approach 98

Flight Training Central

MAY 28, 2024

But as the destination traffic pattern approaches, workload increases dramatically. A firm understanding of the proper terminal area procedures is essential for staying safe as you depart or approach the airport. a long straight in final approach to the active runway. Safe obstruction clearance in the approach area.

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Crosswind Runway Clearance Air Traffic Control 98

Pilot Institute

JUNE 9, 2025

Pilots use holds for traffic delays, weather, emergencies, planning, or runway changes. Bad Weather Sometimes the airport may not be busy, but conditions at the time aren’t suitable for an airplane to make a safe landing. And one at a time will shuffle down until it is their turn to commence the approach. Want an example?

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Airplanes Crosswind Approach Knot 52

Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 12, 2024

Use the CRAFT acronym to note down departure clearances quickly. Or you might stray off course and into bad weather or obstacles. You may be asking for a clearance or reporting your position. If you have weather information Charlie, then you say youre with Charlie. is talking to Dallas Clearance Delivery.

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Approach Clearance Pilot Aeronautical Information Manual 52

Flight Training Central

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024

This means you need to contact the tower on the appropriate frequency and receive clearance to enter. Read Back Clearances : When you receive instructions or clearances from the tower, read them back to confirm you’ve understood them correctly. Unless you hear this clearance and confirm it with a read back, do not land.

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Clearance Runway Weather Approach 97

Flying Magazine

APRIL 25, 2024

Over the last 25 years, I have been asked to speak on various aviation weather topics at dozens of aviation events and gatherings. During these events, it’s quite common for a pilot to walk up and ask me about how I handled my most challenging flight as it relates to weather. My presentation later that afternoon went extremely well.

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Weather Wind Shear Clearance Turbulence 111

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. Call for your IFR clearance, including route, altitude, and transponder code. Here are three ways to get a clearance at a non-towered airport.

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Clearance Air Traffic Control Airplanes Transponder 52

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 1, 2024

I cursed my decision to depart in developing low weather, but the only choice now was to press on through the crud, dodging cellular towers lining the highway. A call to home base for a land-supported retrieval provided ample opportunity for explanation in response to my peers’ interrogation: “What were you thinking, flying in this weather?”

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Weather Ceiling Approach Clearance 82

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 25, 2025

The go-to instrument approach for keeping the mail moving is: Cleared for the visual. So its worth a review of the corner-cases and gotchas hidden in the plain-sight (visual) approach. Weather reporting at the destination isnt required so long as some reliable source says theres at least 1000-foot ceilings and three miles visibly.

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Approach Clearance Runway Ceiling 52

Pilot Institute

MARCH 6, 2025

Rather, it is affected by many factors, such as weather conditions and the presence of obstacles. Examples of information that can be communicated by an FSS include weather advisories, traffic advisories, navigational aids, or information from military bases or homeland security. VFR requires minimum weather and visibility conditions.

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Pilot Weather Air Traffic Control NOTAMs 52

Pilot's Life Blog

JANUARY 5, 2025

When learning how to land a Piper Seminole, it is crucial to understand the role of each engine in the approach and landing phases. Pilots must be proficient in managing engine power, especially during the approach, where power settings and speed management are critical to a smooth and safe landing.

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Descent Final Approach Approach Runway 52

Air Facts

JUNE 4, 2025

Inside the FBO, I grabbed a cup of coffee and checked the weather briefing one last time. With takeoff clearance from the tower, I pushed the throttle forward. The Challenge: Trusting the Instruments Cessna 123AB, were showing a band of weather moving into your area, came the call from Manila Control. Trust the tools.

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Altimeter Turbulence Weather VOR 52

iPad Pilot News

APRIL 3, 2025

Theres a lot of information here, but its well organized: youll see your list of flights on the left, a row of buttons along the top to access the Navlog and Weather Briefings, and the main data entry screen just below that. The Flights screen can be used for much more than just filing a flight plan.

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Flight Plan Clearance Weather Payload 52

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 25, 2025

The go-to instrument approach for keeping the mail moving is: Cleared for the visual. So its worth a review of the corner-cases and gotchas hidden in the plain-sight (visual) approach. Weather reporting at the destination isnt required so long as some reliable source says theres at least 1000-foot ceilings and three miles visibly.

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Approach Pilot Clearance Runway 52

Air Facts

NOVEMBER 25, 2024

We’ve included questions that cover everything from clearances to complex arrival procedures, each crafted to test your technical know-how and situational awareness. climb to, but not descend from 4,000 feet, without further ATC clearance. climb to, but not descend from 4,000 feet, without further ATC clearance. Let’s go!

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Clearance NOTAMs VOR Descent 97

Universal Weather

APRIL 3, 2025

Customs & Immigration: CIQ clearance is available at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) from 0800-2100 local time. Outside these hours, clearance is provided at the main terminal. Noise Abatement & Approach Requirements: Special crew briefing required prior to operating.

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Clearance Flight Plan General Aviation Approach 52

iPad Pilot News

MARCH 11, 2025

These alerts include runway proximity, traffic, cabin altitude, destination weather, terrain, airspace and TFRs, carbon monoxide and more. The destination weather frequency callout provides the destination airport weather frequency (ATIS, AWOS, or ASOS). There’s also a scratchpad tool to copy clearances as you listen.

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AGL Runway Groundspeed Descent 52

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 17, 2024

They are the Visual Approach Slope Indicator and Precision Approach Path Indicator. These systems are designed to help you stay on the correct glide path as you approach the runway. VASI and PAPI each have their own approach. However, not all types of aircraft are meant to take the same approach path. What Is VASI?

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Runway Approach Threshold Clearance 98

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.

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Approach NOTAMs Runway Weather 52

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 22, 2024

Both trips involved similar routes, the same destination, and periods of both VFR and IFR weather. First, I planned to fly into midsize airports equipped with both approach radar and an operating tower. The weather was mildly IFR, the aircraft performed flawlessly, and I found out later that my university team won.

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Weather Clearance Pilot Airplanes 91

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. With my risk profile, IFR really means ignoring crappy VFR and VFR cloud clearance requirements.

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Airplanes Weather Ceiling Turbulence 94

Plane and Pilot

JULY 3, 2024

Vigilance, monitoring traffic, and staying attuned to changing weather conditions contribute significantly to safety. Setting up for an approach, taxiing at a busy airfield with complicated diagrams, during the actual takeoff and landing, or receiving an updated weather briefing in flight are a few examples of this.

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Pilot Weather Approach Air Traffic Control 97

AV Web

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024

Let’s say that there is a major city served by most airlines that is also a fortress hub for a major airline and that that airport is in the first day of recovery from a very serious weather event like a 10-year winter blizzard or hurricane. Meanwhile, the tower controllers have several aircraft on or near final approach.

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Airlines Airline Clearance Airplanes 105

Photographic Logbook

JULY 5, 2024

It was late morning, I was hungry, the weather was perfect for flying, and I had no additional plans for the day. While I have an instrument rating in my back pocket and the option to request a pop-up IFR clearance, I try to avoid playing that card unless it's truly necessary. Mountains, dramatic skies, and burger perfection.

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Clearance Ceiling Weather Runway 86