Pilot's Life Blog

JUNE 18, 2025

From basic turns to emergency descents, every maneuver shapes how a student reacts under pressure and handles real-world flying. Climbs and Descents: Knowing how to manage pitch and power to gain or lose altitude smoothly is critical. Proper climbs and descents help maintain safe altitude margins and optimize fuel efficiency.

Pilot

Air Facts

JUNE 4, 2025

The engine responded smoothly, and Charlie lifted off into the calm morning sky. I tuned the Manila VOR to confirm my position and set up the next waypoint. I acknowledged and began a gentle descent. Taxiing to Runway 06, I ran through the before-takeoff checklist: fuel selector both, flaps up, mixture rich, lights on.

Altimeter

Photographic Logbook

JUNE 29, 2025

I momentarily put HAL into heading mode, inserted the East Texas VOR into the route, programmed GPS direct to ETX, then switched back to "nav" mode to avoid any unexpected turns from tinkering with the active leg in the GPS flight plan. It is a utility aircraft well renowned for its lifting power and ability to operate from rough terrain.

Runway

Flying Magazine

MAY 15, 2024

Put the aircraft in level flight to give them a moment to consider their next course of action so they are not anxiously doing climbs, descents, and unplanned turns. Usually that limitation is lifted as the learner gains more experience as a pilot. Next, introduce the VOR.

Crosswind

Photographic Logbook

JULY 11, 2024

We were assigned a slightly ridiculous alteration to the route I filed: MANCH T316 LAMMS T608 ROC that had us flying past Sodus to the Rochester VOR before setting up for Sodus. Once on with Syracuse, I decided to rectify the inefficient routing at the end of my instrument clearance and requested direct to Sodus from the Syracuse VOR.

Ceiling