Pilot Institute

JANUARY 3, 2025

If youre preparing for takeoff, navigating an approach, or landing at an uncontrolled airport, knowing how to read a windsock can give you quick wind information. Standard FAA aviation windsocks are calibrated to fully extend at a wind speed of 15 knots. How To Read a Windsock Hanging limp : Winds are under 3 knots.

Knot

Air Facts

MARCH 5, 2025

For example, describing a Cuban eight maneuver would involve such writing as, enter the (in Farsi , R-L), Cuban eight (in English, L-R), maneuver no lower than (in Farsi , R-L), 10,000 AGL (in English, L-R), at a minimum of (in Farsi , R-L), 450 knots (in English, L-R). add 5 knots for winds at 10 knots gusting to 20 knots).

Pilot

One Mile at a Time

MARCH 20, 2025

At the time of the accident, winds were at an angle of 270 degrees (the runway was at an angle of 230 degrees), at 28 knots, gusting to 35 knots. degrees Less than one second before touchdown, the plane had an indicated airspeed of 134 knots, a ground speed of 111 knots, a bank angle of 7.1

Descent

Fear of Landing

FEBRUARY 21, 2025

Whether or not there were issues with CRM or in the approach, there is no evidence at this time that either pilot had struggled through their training or were anything less than qualified for their positions. The wing tip struck the runway after which the wing and the tail separated and the fuel from the wing caught fire.

Runway

Pilot Institute

MARCH 28, 2025

Pilots need to keep this behavior in mind as theyre likely to encounter these vortices while theyre on approach or during departure. This lateral movement takes place at a speed of about two or three knots. After one aircraft lands, the tailwind pushes the vortices forward into the runways touchdown zone.

Turbulence

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 25, 2024

As we approached the gate, my phone rang again. The RNAV approach to the 7,000-foot Runway 31 that snakes around from the Runway 4 extended centerline, loops past Citi Field, and rolls out on a tight-in final approach. Let tower know, and we’ll fly the approach as long as they need before breaking it off.”

Runway

One Mile at a Time

MARCH 21, 2025

A Southwest Airlines jet attempted to take off from a taxiway yesterday, somehow mistaking it for a runway in broad daylight. At Orlando Airport, Southwest departs from airside 2, and the plane was supposed to take off from runway 17R, a very short distance away. The taxiway runs parallel to the runway. The FAA is investigating.

Air Traffic Control

Flying Magazine

MAY 26, 2025

The good news is that some approach controllers are armed with near real-time weather data from two additional sources to include the Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR) and Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR). Many approach control facilities have ASRs like the ASR-9 or ASR-11 that are physically located on the field. Not too shabby.

Weather

Pilot Institute

APRIL 5, 2025

Basically, any wind that blows across the runway or flight path instead of head-on or tailing the aircraft. Crosswind is referenced in terms of knots, a fancy aviation term for nautical miles per hour . Example 1 Aircraft heading: 070 Wind Direction:160 Wind Strength: 25 knots This example is super easy. knots 20 0.34

Crosswind

Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 31, 2024

Pilots must adapt their approach and landing technique during flap failure. The flaps on an aircraft are used for controlled descents with slower airspeed during the approach and landing. Certain Conditions Certain conditions, such as severe icing or busy airspace (request for faster approach), may require a no-flaps landing.

Pilot

Fear of Landing

FEBRUARY 7, 2025

As they descended towards Leeds, the crew calculated the landing performance with the wind at 060 at 19 knots. The approach controller gave them the current wind as 070 gusting 33 knots and let them know that a Boeing 737-800 had just landed. And sometimes its 35 knots across *and* thick fog. Like Jersey.

Crosswind

Pilot's Life Blog

JUNE 18, 2025

The wind pushing from the side makes controlling the aircraft during touchdown more challenging and increases the risk of veering off the runway or damaging the plane. A crosswind is any wind that blows perpendicular or at an angle to the runway centerline. This keeps the plane’s ground track aligned with the runway centerline.

Crosswind

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 9, 2024

It’s simply an attitude and the way we approach each and every flight. These organized folks do not find out the runway is closed when they see the large lighted X’s on short final. This kind of methodical approach helps to avoid nasty surprises and large insurance claims. This approach improves the odds.

Pilot

WayMan

APRIL 17, 2025

These cone-shaped fabric tubes are mounted on poles near runways, helipads, and taxiways. Pilots use this visual cue to plan their runway approach and takeoff to ensure theyre flying into the winda practice that increases lift and aircraft control. Halfway extended (6 knots): Reflects a moderate breeze.

Knot

Plane and Pilot

MARCH 6, 2025

I felt knots forming in my stomach. The 152 rocked and bounced in the air currents as we approached the runway. The airplane was pushed up and down in tight, quick movements as we came in over the pavement, and then the tires squealed as we hit the runway hard. I noticed that the wind was picking up. Am I imagining it?

Airplanes

Flying Magazine

JUNE 23, 2025

Turns out there was a Cessna 172’s tail sticking out of some heavy brush toward the end of the runway. For example, it shouldn’t be that difficult to maintain 100 knots and 1,200 feet msl, but it is for many. When it does, it’s usually because someone forgot to put down their landing gear and is blocking the runway.

Runway

Flying Magazine

JUNE 3, 2025

On Tuesday, though, the airport welcomed an aircraft unlike any that has ever graced its runways. Watching Alia from the runway were representatives from the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and state officials, including Senator John Liu (D-N.Y.). [The

Air Traffic Control

Flying Magazine

MAY 17, 2025

Flight Planning A pilot encountered 32-35 knot headwinds at cruise. On final approach, the tower told him to go around. The result was an uneventful approach and landing. Leaks Approaching his destination, the multiengine pilot switched tanks from the auxiliary to the main tanks. Fifteen minutes later, the engine failed.

Pilot

One Mile at a Time

MARCH 18, 2025

The aircraft came in to land on runway 22. Weather conditions werent good at all, with winds at the time reported as being at 22 knots, and gusting to 36 knots. Not only that, but there was quite a crosswind, as wind was blowing at a direction 40 degrees off the runway heading. This incident is now being investigated.

Air Traffic Control

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. The general prognosis indicated no icing in the clouds, no turbulence and a quartering headwind from the west resulting in a mere five knots of headwind component. How can this be?

VOR

Plane and Pilot

JUNE 23, 2025

Inbound from the south, the single-engine, retractable-gear Beechcraft entered an uneventful downwind leg for Runway 26. The Bonanza lay crumpled up in an empty lot just 2,400 feet from the approach end of the runway. The wind at the surface was reported as 220 degrees at 6 knots gusting 19 knots.

True Airspeed

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 alert will only sound once every 60 seconds and is automatically disabled if groundspeed is less than 40 knots. RUNWAY ALERTS Runways – Alerts when nearing or entering a runway.

AGL

Air Facts

MAY 14, 2025

During each turn, we lost about 1015 knots, but once wings-level again, the jet quickly accelerated back to 300. For every 100 pounds above 1,000, add one knot to each airspeed. Add half the gust factor to final approach and touchdown speeds. Rolling wings-level on final, the jet slowed to our approach speed of 160.

AGL

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. The en route instrument approaches, traffic patterns, and terrain are all new. When should we review the approach (IFR) or airport diagram (VFR)?

Descent

Flying Magazine

JULY 22, 2025

Other relevant numbers for the E1000 AX are its max cruise speed of 333 knots, max operating altitude of FL 340 and NBAA range of 1,560 nm. The batteries provided so much cranking power that both cold and hot starts never even approached engine temperature limits. Then, pitch up a long way—12.5 gph at normal cruise power.

Rudder

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.

Descent

Gary's Flight Journal

MAY 25, 2025

Once well into the yellow I released the brakes and headed for runway three-two. At least the winds were straight down the runway. Once completing my run up I rolled for the runway a set take off power. It was a bumpy ride with twenty knot headwinds all the way to Cambridge. Winds at ocean city were 320 13G23.

Pilot

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 10, 2024

In order to be flown by a sport pilot, the resulting airplane must still meet the current regulations—1,320 pounds maximum gross weight, 120 knots max cruise speed, for example—but how it gets there is up to the builder. Airplanes in the LSA category have some performance limitations, so the RV-12 gets right to the 120-knot max cruise figure.

Airplanes

Flying Magazine

MAY 21, 2025

Yet every year there are usually many pilots who ask ATC to read the NOTAM to them as they approach the airspace. These points are Endeavor Bridge, Puckaway Lake, and Green Lake. They will be announced on the arrival ATIS when ATC activates them, which will be at times of highest traffic.

NOTAMs

Pilot Institute

JUNE 9, 2025

Pilots use holds for traffic delays, weather, emergencies, planning, or runway changes. 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. Runway Changes (or Closure) Where possible, airplanes normally like to land in the wind.

Airplanes

Flying Magazine

JUNE 20, 2025

According to the report and previously acquired ADS-B data, the pilot was attempting an instrument approach in thick fog and flew below the published glideslope. The pilot was in contact with the Southern California Terminal Radar Approach Control (SOCAL TRACON) controller while at 17,000 ft mean sea level (msl). local time.

Knot

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. Kentland has a 4,000-foot runway, east/west, with a crosswind straight out of the north. After I turned off the runway, I saw the traffic… a crop duster. What the…?

Weather

Plane and Pilot

JULY 2, 2025

For climbing, full or recommended climb power is usually employed, and for descent or landing approach, a power setting that produces the desired descent rate is selected. When discussing climb technique, it’s easy to confuse high power setting with increasing lift. It’s the wing that generates lift, not the engine.

Descent

Fear of Landing

JUNE 27, 2025

Near Miss at Midway Flight paths for SWA2504 (orange) and ground path for LXJ560 (blue) showing The NTSB has released the preliminary report on the runway incursion which caused Southwest Airlines 2504 to perform a last-minute go-around. The EGPWS “sink rate” warning sounded 2.6 seconds before touchdown.

Descent

Plane and Pilot

JUNE 15, 2025

He then taxied to the runway and experienced an extended ground delay with the engine running at idle engine power settings. The airplane then descended back to the runway and bounced before lifting off nose-high again toward the end of the runway. He did not use carburetor heat during the ground delay or during takeoff.

Instrument Meteorological Conditions

One Mile at a Time

APRIL 2, 2025

View pushing back Vienna Airport View taxiing Vienna Airport We had a very short taxi to runway 16, where wed be departing from, and we rocketed off at 10:45AM. He warned of some turbulence on approach, and of strong winds at Washington Dulles, which were gusting up to 30 knots.

Approach

Pilot Institute

JUNE 12, 2025

If the runway is contaminated with water, ice, or oil, the wheel may simply skid over the surface instead of gripping it. The extra stopping power is useful for landing on short runways and in adverse conditions. Even if you could package it, the jetblast would hit the wings, flaps, and runway straight on. Barts Island.

Thrust