Photographic Logbook

MAY 18, 2025

2025 brought cold temperatures, low ceiling, rain, and gusty wind, the latter fortuitously right down the runway. A View from the Tower (Mostly) Shortly after my ascent of the tower, all four WFC airplanes were staged, ceilings were declared high enough to fly the usual ride circuit, and pilots simply awaited the arrival of passengers.

Ceiling 52

Ceiling Airplanes Weather Runway 52

Flying Magazine

MAY 30, 2025

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. That clearance might include a complicated route, an altitude restriction, and a departure procedure you will need to brief.

Pilot 106

Pilot NOTAMs Clearance Approach 106

Photographic Logbook

JULY 5, 2024

Dramatic Ceiling Date Aircraft Route of Flight Time (hrs) Total (hrs) 05 Jul 2024 N21481 SDC (Sodus, NY) - LKP (Lake Placid, NY) - SDC 3.2 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.

Clearance 86

Clearance Ceiling Weather Runway 86

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 6, 2024

The route is simple, GPS direct, but…there’s my personal 1,000-foot en route ceiling requirement, and those silly Smoky Mountains. Also, from when I lived out West, there was the mountaintop clearance guideline—1,000 feet for every 10 knots of wind, with 30 knots meaning no-go. It was now time to plan the trip.

Airplanes 94

Airplanes Weather Ceiling Turbulence 94

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 1, 2024

The conditions were a mile of visibility and about 500 feet of ragged ceiling, barely enough to maintain orientation by landmarks passing below. A low ceiling absolutely ends a planned flight, though visibility may be the legal determining factor in some situations. If on radar vectors, the controller may have another option for you.

Weather 82

Weather Ceiling Approach Clearance 82

Air Facts

FEBRUARY 10, 2025

We no longer need to worry about identifying VORs and dialing in the right radial, but we do need to worry about that thunderstorm sitting right on top of our direct route or the low ceiling at our destination. Communicate sounds self-explanatory, and it mostly is.

Pilot in Command 95

Pilot in Command Pilot Approach Airplanes 95

Air Facts

MAY 5, 2025

The hourly sequence report showed Springfield had a ceiling of 100 feet obscured, a visibility of 3/8 mile and fog with a surface temperature of 30 degrees F. The forecast at our arrival time at Jefferson City was for a ceiling of 1,200′ overcast with a visibility of four miles in fog. Phil was a cool head under pressure.

VOR 52

VOR Weather Approach Runway 52

Flight Training Central

JULY 1, 2024

While Class E airspace is considered controlled airspace, you do not need an ATC clearance to fly in it. Since Class “E” airspace is basically “everywhere”, most of the focus is placed on identifying the ceiling and floor of the airspace.

AGL 52

AGL Clearance Ceiling Weather 52

Flying Magazine

MAY 21, 2025

The pilot requested Special VFR for low ceilings and visibility, but didnt really express to ATC the issue he was having trying to maintain clearance from the clouds, Sedor said. There have been many others, Sedor said, such as the 2020 crash of the helicopter carrying former NBA star Kobe Bryant. Although NTSB 830.5

Pilot 68

Pilot Air Traffic Control Cockpit Airplanes 68

Pilot Institute

APRIL 24, 2024

Pilots must meet equipment and certification requirements and have ATC clearance to enter. This central core extends up to around 10,000 feet MSL, the airspace’s ceiling. However, the ceiling for each shelf is the same as the core. Although Class B airspace has a typical ceiling of 10,000 feet MSL, exceptions exist.

Clearance 52

Clearance Ceiling Airspace Classes Transponder 52

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 12, 2024

the ILS approach can be credited regardless of actual weather if you are issued an IFR clearance. When is an IFR clearance required during VFR weather conditions? From 1 hour before to 1 hour after ETA, forecast ceiling 2,000, and visibility 3 miles. the ILS approach can be credited only if you use a view-limiting device.

Instrument Flight Rules 52

Instrument Flight Rules Ceiling Descent Approach 52

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 17, 2024

Additionally, a pilot should report any of the following events:: When vacating any previously assigned altitude or flight level for a newly assigned altitude or flight level ( AIM 5-3-3 ) When an altitude change will be made if operating on a clearance specifying VFR-on-top. ( Each is defined by varying ceilings and visibility.

Instrument Flight Rules 52

Instrument Flight Rules AGL Ceiling True Airspeed 52

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 3, 2024

This rating should end any temptation to “scud run” around TV towers or under a low ceiling and eliminate the dreaded VFR-into-IMC trap. One more thing: Just because you have earned an instrument rating, there is no requirement to go out and fly in low ceilings and visibilities. The ATC service is better.

Pilot 86

Pilot Ceiling Clearance Pilot in Command 86

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 22, 2024

While the temptation to find cheaper gas at an uncontrolled field loomed large, the extra services provided by the approach control, clearance delivery, and a busier FBO seemed to make more sense. Bowman Field, where I had stopped on the way north, had a great FBO, 1,000-foot ceilings, radar, and a tower. It was time to divert.

Weather 91

Weather Clearance Pilot Airplanes 91

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 1, 2024

The conditions were a mile of visibility and about 500 feet of ragged ceiling, barely enough to maintain orientation by landmarks passing below. A low ceiling absolutely ends a planned flight, though visibility may be the legal determining factor in some situations. If on radar vectors, the controller may have another option for you.

Weather 52

Weather Ceiling Approach Clearance 52

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 25, 2025

Weather reporting at the destination isnt required so long as some reliable source says theres at least 1000-foot ceilings and three miles visibly. You must maintain VFR cloud clearances appropriate for the airspace. Youre expected to land as soon as practical if you go around, or stay clear of clouds until issued a new clearance.

Approach 52

Approach Pilot Clearance Runway 52

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 25, 2025

Weather reporting at the destination isnt required so long as some reliable source says theres at least 1000-foot ceilings and three miles visibly. You must maintain VFR cloud clearances appropriate for the airspace. Youre expected to land as soon as practical if you go around, or stay clear of clouds until issued a new clearance.

Approach 52

Approach Clearance Runway Ceiling 52

Photographic Logbook

JULY 11, 2024

Moments after climbing through the ceiling over Beverly, MA. We made an IFR departure that morning on runway 16 and climbed above the ceiling in short order. But I accepted the clearance knowing that I could change it with a local Approach control like Syracuse. This was even better than I requested. Still IFR, but barely.

Ceiling 52

Ceiling Approach Weather Runway 52

Northstar VFR

JULY 21, 2024

The tower informed me that our airport had just gone to IFR due to the low cloud ceilings. Special VFR If the airport you’re landing at is reporting 1000’ ceilings or less, but you determine that you can get there safely without entering the clouds, then you can request what is called special VFR. I didn’t even notice it!

Visual Flight Rules 52

Visual Flight Rules Ceiling Aeronautical Decision-Making Weather 52

Air Facts

AUGUST 16, 2024

Clearing Canadian Customs was a breeze,—a simple telephone call to CANPASS to get our clearance number. The next day was VFR with some lower cloud ceilings along the way. As a Canadian pilot, I have my VFR OVER-THE-TOP rating, so the thin overcast ceilings were not an issue.

Weather 98

Weather Knot Ceiling Turbulence 98

Air Facts

MAY 10, 2024

An acceptable meteorological combination of ceiling, visibility, and wind. If you depart MDA on the downwind or base leg, you’re on your own as far as obstacle clearance. Be fully configured and on speed prior to receiving landing clearance. A known degree of familiarity with the airfield and surrounding terrain. No later than).

Approach 97

Approach AGL Descent Runway 97

Photographic Logbook

FEBRUARY 4, 2024

More often than not, winter flying in Upstate New York is contingent on the ceiling. Ceilings are often too low to fly beneath and slowly climbing through a cloud layer of indeterminate thickness in sub-freezing temperatures risks icing. However, a persistent low ceiling scuttled those morning plans.

Ceiling 52

Ceiling Approach Pilot Weather 52

Flight Training Central

MARCH 18, 2024

For example, a pilot flying IFR in controlled airspace will have to file an IFR flight plan and receive an ATC clearance. For VFR flight, controlled airspace means increased cloud clearance and visibility requirements. For the VFR pilot flying in B, C, and D airspace, there are communication and/or clearance requirements.

AGL 52

AGL Indicated Airspeed Clearance Transponder 52

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 19, 2024

When flying IFR, ATC is working with you for the entire flight, from the clearance before you depart or slightly after you takeoff and pickup up a clearance in the air until you land, get close enough to your destination to cancel your IFR, or choose to cancel at some intermediate point. There are lots of benefits to doing this.

Pilot 52

Pilot Clearance Weather Approach 52

Flying Magazine

MAY 15, 2024

VFR to MVFR…then 2 miles visibility and a ceiling of 1,200 feet agl. Remind the learners that GPS is much more than the “Direct To” key, because the direct key and the magenta line will put them through a mountainside or airspace requiring a clearance, so they best have their wits about them and maintain situational awareness.

Crosswind 111

Crosswind VOR Airplanes Runway 111

Air Facts

DECEMBER 30, 2024

I completed the rest of the leg with a routine flight and some more mountain terrain with spectacular views although I did encounter solid cloud ceilings with the terrain sometimes less than a thousand feet below me and the cloud layer 500 feet above. I have no words to describe this remarkable view of Marble Canyon.

Weather 98

Weather Approach Knot VFR On Top 98

Pilot Institute

MARCH 6, 2025

AGL is important for drone pilots as the regular ceiling for drone flight is defined as 400 feet AGL. In contrast to a control tower, an FSS is not responsible for giving instructions or clearances to aircraft. Simply put, 400 feet AGL means that the 400 feet is measured from the underlying ground surface above the specific airspace.

Pilot 52

Pilot Weather Air Traffic Control NOTAMs 52

Photographic Logbook

APRIL 19, 2024

I expected to manage some cloud layers during the New York portion of the flight, but the forecast called for a high ceiling at Northeast Philadelphia Airport. Phantom City Initially, I believed that the original forecast claiming high ceilings around Philadelphia would come to pass. Famous last words.)

Approach 77

Approach Wind Shear Runway VOR 77

ABEAM

AUGUST 26, 2023

IFR clearance was direct to DEVBI while we knew we could pick up our oceanic clearance (my first ever !) After passing DEVBI, Scottish Control passed us to Reykjavik Control who told us to pick up our Oceanic Clearance with Iceland Radio on 127.850. after DEVBI with Iceland Radio. So perfect weather.

Weather 52

Weather Clearance Knot Airplanes 52

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 11, 2025

Circling is a great skill even if youd only use it with high ceilings and in daylight. Clearance for the approach means youre still getting separation from IFR aircraft. Also, having an option to land might force you to fly a more difficult approach for therunway in use, or fly to circling minimums and circle to the landing runway.

Approach 52

Approach Pilot Ceiling Descent 52

Photographic Logbook

JULY 9, 2024

Exactly like NYC, downtown Boston is encircled by restrictive Class Bravo airspace down to the surface that requires explicit clearance to enter. November Four Eight One, continue inbound, you'll get your Bravo clearance from Tower." Although Boston ATC had cut us loose, we were still beneath a 2,000 foot Bravo airspace ceiling.

Clearance 52

Clearance Runway Approach Stability 52

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 2, 2024

No flying in winds exceeding 10 knots, no chance of obscuring precipitation, no use of runways shorter than 5,000 feet, no risk of encountering darkness or lowering ceilings. is a common question, when the wind, ceiling, visibility, turbulence, or even temperature are obviously not conducive to routine flying.

Wind Shear 52

Wind Shear Runway Crosswind Ceiling 52

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 2, 2024

No flying in winds exceeding 10 knots, no chance of obscuring precipitation, no use of runways shorter than 5,000 feet, no risk of encountering darkness or lowering ceilings. is a common question, when the wind, ceiling, visibility, turbulence, or even temperature are obviously not conducive to routine flying.

Wind Shear 52

Wind Shear Runway Crosswind Ceiling 52

Gary's Flight Journal

SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

I called the clearance delivery number on the OXB NOTAM but they gave me another number to call. I could not get my Bluetooth headset to connect so the I tucked the iPhone up under my ear seal and picked up my clearance and release. I decided to depart VFR and pick up my clearance in the air if I needed it.

Clearance 52

Clearance VOR Weather Approach 52

Air Facts

OCTOBER 30, 2024

After startup, I’d record a VOR check in the aircraft log while waiting for our clearance. One foggy morning out at Dulles, Charlie and I were waiting for the ceiling to improve so we could launch on an IFR training flight. Then came the long taxi to the runway. Centerline,” Charlie barked as I taxied out during my first lesson.

NDB 52

NDB Checkride VOR Approach 52

Charles Ryan's Flying Adventure

MARCH 28, 2024

At this point, it was slightly turbulence as we flew through some low ceiling clouds. It took us about 15 minutes to reach the automated machines for clearance into the country. At this point, we started our descent into LHR airport. We followed the traffic east into London which allows to enjoy some view of the city.

Weather 52

Weather Turbulence Runway Narrow-Body Aircraft 52

Fear of Landing

MAY 23, 2025

The closest stations warned of half-mile visibility, below the minimum for Montgomery Field, and 200-foot ceilings. KNKX (8 km northwest) : Half-mile visibility with vertical visibility of 200 feet: essentially zero ceiling with fog sitting right on the ground. They asked for weather reports at surrounding airports.

Approach 70

Approach Ceiling Weather Pilot 70