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 94

Airplanes Weather Ceiling Turbulence 94

Pilot's Life Blog

JULY 25, 2024

Before you become a commercial pilot, it’s important to know how to obtain a good weather briefing. Flying in appropriate weather helps make your flight enjoyable and keeps your passengers safe. Outlook briefing : You’ll obtain this briefing as you plan your flight several days before you depart.

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Weather Pilot True Airspeed Ceiling 52

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

Inflight Pilot Training

MARCH 30, 2025

An Instrument Rating is an FAA certification that allows you to fly under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). Youll learn how to navigate, communicate with Air Traffic Control, interpret weather, and conduct instrument approaches to airports, all without relying on whats outside your window. Flight canceled. A busy Class B airport?

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Pilot Weather Approach Visual Flight Rules 52

iPad Pilot News

JUNE 14, 2024

FAA Updates Datalink Weather Advisory Circular iPad Pilot News The rollout of ADS-B datalink weather over twelve years ago was an interesting time for GA pilots. Pilots were free to use the system immediately with these new portable receivers, which improved in-flight decision-making almost overnight.

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Weather AGL Flight Deck Pilot 59

Photographic Logbook

MAY 18, 2025

Weather-wise, you never know what you're going to get on each third Sunday of May along the south shore of Lake Ontario. 2025 brought cold temperatures, low ceiling, rain, and gusty wind, the latter fortuitously right down the runway. As the event progressed into late morning, rain moved in from the west and with it, lower ceilings.

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Ceiling Airplanes Weather Runway 52

Flying Magazine

MAY 30, 2025

One of the most essential tools for staying ahead of the airplane is the electronic flight bag (EFB). You likely became introduced to an EFB as a student pilot and probably use one for basic flight planning tasks as a VFR pilot, but using one in instrument flight is different. The weather moves in. Ceilings drop.

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Pilot NOTAMs Clearance Approach 104

Learn to Fly

APRIL 11, 2024

The saying “ in like a lion out like a lamb ” is most often used for March, but April can also be a crazy weather month. While aviation training tends to focus on the go/no-go decision, equally critical are the continue/divert decisions that happen quite literally throughout the flight.

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Weather Wind Shear Turbulence Ceiling 40

Pilot Institute

MARCH 6, 2025

AGL is important for drone pilots as the regular ceiling for drone flight is defined as 400 feet AGL. Rather, it is affected by many factors, such as weather conditions and the presence of obstacles. FSS Flight Service Station A Flight Service Station (FSS) is a ground facility that relays information to aircraft pilots.

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Pilot Weather Air Traffic Control NOTAMs 52

Air Facts

AUGUST 16, 2024

I fly a Rockwell Commander 114B which I flight plan at 14 gph and 140 kts. It turns out that an Air Canada flight from Toronto to Orlando would have cost $1,646.00 (CND with taxes) but going Air Phil is way more fun. Friday was a day to decompress, spending time around the pool and preparing the Commander for the flight home.

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Weather Knot Ceiling Turbulence 98

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 27, 2024

Often, turbulence is the harbinger of mountain waves, not the ideal ceiling—and visibility unlimited—day. FAA weather charts can help for higher altitudes but when just a few thousand feet agl, they may be less useful. Great Falls weather is fair and warm. Enjoy your flight.” So why was that flight so rotten?

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Turbulence Weather Knot Descent 97

Northstar VFR

JANUARY 4, 2023

Flight planning becomes more advanced than before, flying SIDs and STARs, and instrument approaches. But a crucial part of this flight planning is planning for the worst case scenario: What if you can’t land at your original destination? When MUST I Plan for an Alternate?

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Instrument Meteorological Conditions Ceiling Approach Weather 52

AV Web

SEPTEMBER 29, 2024

As I passed Atlanta, the skies went from sunny to cloudy, which was as advertised, but as I neared the South Carolina state line, the weather wasn’t lifting. I’d actually filed to fly to Anderson, South Carolina, on an instrument flight plan, figuring that I’d cancel IFR and continue past Anderson to the destination.

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Weather Runway Ceiling Lift 98

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 12, 2024

The en route weather is IMC. To log the approach toward instrument currency the flight must remain on an IFR flight plan throughout the approach and landing. the ILS approach can be credited regardless of actual weather if you are issued an IFR clearance. For a flight in VFR conditions while on an IFR flight plan.

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Instrument Flight Rules Ceiling Descent Approach 52

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 22, 2024

Both trips involved similar routes, the same destination, and periods of both VFR and IFR weather. The weather was mildly IFR, the aircraft performed flawlessly, and I found out later that my university team won. After gassing up and checking the weather, the path looked clear to head farther south to Chattanooga, Tennessee (KCHA).

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Weather Clearance Pilot Airplanes 91

Air Facts

MAY 24, 2024

We started up the engine, got the weather, asked the tower for our instrument flight plan, and began to taxi from the T-hangars on the east side of the field down the familiar route of “Hotel, Echo” to runway 18 right for a departure to the north with a turn to the east. No ceiling so no hold for us today!

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Aileron Crosswind Knot Runway 98

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.

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Instrument Flight Rules AGL Ceiling True Airspeed 52

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 16, 2024

So there I am circling in clear weather with a frown on my face. The weather was good with scattered cumulus floating around. axied about a thousand miles to FACTS the General Aviation parking area where I got gas and looked over the weather. Then I listened to a gal ask each station she passed for the weather ahead.

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Weather Airplanes Lift Pilot 75

Fear of Landing

DECEMBER 6, 2024

A few hours later, the pilot obtained a weather briefing and filed an IFR flight plan before departing Westchester to fly back to Montgomery County. By now, it was dark and the weather in Gaithersburg had deteriorated with fog and low cloud ceilings. Runway 14, a 4,202 foot runway , was in use.

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Approach Runway Descent Air Traffic Control 97

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 17, 2024

These weather alerts each have their own role: AIRMETs warn about moderate conditions like turbulence, icing, and limited visibility, which can affect smaller or less equipped aircraft. SIGMETs alert pilots to more severe weather events like thunderstorms, volcanic ash, or strong turbulence that could pose serious risks to any flight.

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UTC Turbulence Weather Knot 52

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 5, 2024

In aviation, staying ahead of the weather is a must. When weather conditions shift unexpectedly, that’s when a SPECI report comes in. A SPECI (or Special Report) offers a quick weather update between the routine METARs. Let’s explore how SPECIs are going to help you plan around unexpected weather twists.

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Altimeter Weather Wind Shear Runway 52

Flying Magazine

MAY 15, 2024

Scenario 3: VFR into IFR If you read the accident reports the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) compiles, you will notice a lot are attributed in part to the pilot’s decision to continue VFR into deteriorating weather. In the ATD the scenario begins by having the pilot check the weather before takeoff. What could go wrong?

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Crosswind VOR Airplanes Runway 110

Flight Training Central

OCTOBER 18, 2024

These commonly missed questions often focus on nuanced regulations, meteorology, flight planning, and airspace rules. What are the minimum weather conditions required for airplanes operating under special VFR in Class D airspace? What are the reporting requirements for a pilot convicted of possessing and selling marijuana?

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Pilot AGL Ceiling Lift 52

Photographic Logbook

FEBRUARY 4, 2024

While accidents might result from dangerous weather, poor fuel management, or hastily overlooked maintenance issues, an underlying root cause may be a pilot falling prey to these situations due to a laser focus on completing the mission in spite of circumstances that make flying unwise.

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Ceiling Approach Pilot Weather 52

Flight Training Central

OCTOBER 25, 2024

Be sure to verify weather conditions before your operation, and be vigilant for low-flying aircraft LAANC authorizations are for operations in controlled airspace.

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Air Traffic Control AGL Flight Plan Pilot in Command 52

Photographic Logbook

APRIL 19, 2024

This year, a promising weather forecast featuring high freezing levels (expected to be 9,000+ feet) led to a decision to fly myself. April 17: High Altitude Lunch Date Aircraft Route of Flight Time (hrs) Total (hrs) 17 Apr 2024 N21481 SDC (Sodus, NY) - PNE (Philadelphia, PA) 2.6 It added less than 10 minutes to the overall flight time.

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Approach Wind Shear Runway VOR 77

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 19, 2024

Perhaps those thoughts include dealing with inclement weather, or even icing conditions. Instrument flying certification and skills can be something that a pilot can use even on good VFR weather flying days. You can file and operate “IFR” even on good weather days. But this isn’t how it has to be.

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Pilot Clearance Weather Approach 52

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?

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Flight Plan Pilot Weather Instrument Meteorological Conditions 52

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 23, 2024

To review, flying an IFR trip involves four main steps: File a flight plan (either with Flight Service or in an aviation app). Tell them your tail number, where you are, and the IFR flight plan you’d like to open. However, this procedure should only be used when both the weather and terrain are favorable.

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Clearance Air Traffic Control Airplanes Transponder 52

Gary's Flight Journal

SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

I've been going through weather updates and long range forecasts for the last two weeks along with reviewing approaches and alternates for our flight. To start our flying day I must stress the most important part of flight planning, ADM, Aeronautical Decision Making. The MOS weather shows rain ending by 8am, we shall see.

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Clearance VOR Weather Approach 52

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 29, 2024

The combination of shorter days, preflight delays, and harsh winter weather can make the best-laid plans fall apart. A complete weather briefing is a must with an emphasis on ceilings, visibilities, cloud layers if IFR, and freezing levels. Icing is always a concern and not just in northern latitudes.

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Ceiling Airplanes Density Altitude Weather 105

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 29, 2024

The combination of shorter days, preflight delays, and harsh winter weather can make the best-laid plans fall apart. A complete weather briefing is a must with an emphasis on ceilings, visibilities, cloud layers if IFR, and freezing levels. Icing is always a concern and not just in northern latitudes.

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Ceiling Airplanes Density Altitude Weather 98

Northstar VFR

AUGUST 18, 2024

WEATHER INFORMATION One of the minor changes you’ll notice on the updated Airman Certification Standards for Private Pilots is related to aviation weather products. Surface Analysis Chart, Ceiling and Visibility Chart (CVA) PA.I.C.K2c c. Good pilots continue to utilize all these weather products in flight planning.

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Checkride Weather Pilot Flight Plan 86

Air Facts

MAY 27, 2024

I negotiated with Newark Tower for the Skyline at 1,500 feet then coordinated with LaGuardia Tower to get flight following, before being finally handed off to New York Approach for the rest of the way to KGON. The weather was exactly as forecasted (I know, right?), and it was the smoothest flight ever recorded by man.

Ceiling 97

Ceiling Turbulence Approach Clearance 97

Photographic Logbook

OCTOBER 11, 2024

With gusty winds forecast along the eastern seaboard on October 11, I let the weather prognostic chart suggest a different course. During flight planning, I determined that 8,000 feet would provide the best wind advantage of the available preferred westbound IFR cruise altitudes. It must have been the mutton chops.

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Runway Approach Knot Drag 89

Air Facts

APRIL 29, 2024

A pit stop at North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (KCRE) was planned, and after a weather briefing, I filed an IFR flight plan. The Mooney is well-equipped for weather avoidance as it is equipped with a sophisticated spheric lighting detector. We were wheels up around 1:30pm.

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Descent Approach Weather AGL 98

Photographic Logbook

AUGUST 13, 2023

A Dunkin' in Jasper, GA made for makeshift flight planning space as we waited on fog to lift at Pickens County Airport. While I anticipated an IFR departure that morning, I wanted to see ceiling and visibility of at least 300 feet and a mile to avoid smacking into mountainous terrain around Pickens County Airport during take-off.

Approach 52

Approach Ceiling Runway Clearance 52