Air Facts

JULY 23, 2025

What would really make it stressful was the weather. Ceilings were 400 to 700 feet, with visibilities from one to four miles in rain and fog. Eight of these would be non-precision VOR and fixed-card NDB approaches flown to minimums in a non-radar environment. The forecast called for IFR conditions over our entire route.

NDB

Air Facts

OCTOBER 30, 2024

I’d get a full flight briefing, regardless of the weather. We flew the usual approaches: VOR, ILS, and the now extinct NDB. I thought flying in the weather was easier; even Charlie seemed more subdued in the soup. We rounded up the usual suspects: VOR, NDB, ILS, partial panel, and unusual attitudes. We also flew in IMC.

NDB

Fear of Landing

JANUARY 3, 2025

The flight crew requested an NDB approach to Grozny and were cleared for approach to runway 26. The crew repeatedly asked for weather at Mineralnye Vody. Please, request weather Mineralnye Vody. Give us vectoring to Mineralnye Vody, and please give us weather Mineralnye Vody. Flight 8243 : Give us Makhachkala.

Weather