Pilot Institute

JUNE 9, 2025

Pilots use holds for traffic delays, weather, emergencies, planning, or runway changes. Bad Weather Sometimes the airport may not be busy, but conditions at the time aren’t suitable for an airplane to make a safe landing. Holding patterns are a great way to keep your position and ensure clearance from terrain and other aircraft.

Airplanes

Air Facts

OCTOBER 30, 2024

I’d get a full flight briefing, regardless of the weather. 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. I thought flying in the weather was easier; even Charlie seemed more subdued in the soup.

NDB

Fear of Landing

JANUARY 3, 2025

The flight crew requested an NDB approach to Grozny and were cleared for approach to runway 26. Flight Level 150 is 15,000 metres, around 50,000 feet, so I’m wondering if someone translated the flight levels, as that seems like a big jump in clearance from 800 metres (3,000 feet). Please, request weather Mineralnye Vody.

Weather