Pilot Institute

JUNE 9, 2025

The hold over “Kingston” VOR? Holding patterns are a great way to keep your position and ensure clearance from terrain and other aircraft. Usually, it will be a ground-based navigational aid such as a VOR or NDB. Hold Altitude Holding procedures, flown correctly, will always allow for sufficient terrain clearance.

Airplanes 52

Airplanes Crosswind Approach Knot 52

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 22, 2025

Flying at MSA guarantees at least 1,000 feet of obstacle clearance. Non-precision approaches (such as a localizer, VOR, LNAV, or NDB) use a Maltese cross for the FAF. MSAs are used in emergencies. If you lose your bearings and are struggling to find the airport, you dont want to hit something accidentally.

Approach 52

Approach Descent Runway Final Approach 52

Air Facts

OCTOBER 30, 2024

After startup, I’d record a VOR check in the aircraft log while waiting for our clearance. We flew the usual approaches: VOR, ILS, and the now extinct NDB. We rounded up the usual suspects: VOR, NDB, ILS, partial panel, and unusual attitudes. My NDB approach was flawless. There were no surprises.

NDB 52

NDB Checkride VOR Approach 52