Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 12, 2024

If you’re on a non-precision or precision approach, understanding MDA (Minimum Descent Altitude) and DA (Decision Altitude) is incredibly important. The main difference: MDA involves leveling off, while DA involves deciding during descent. Pilots use special paths called IFR approaches to help them line up with the runway.

Altimeter 52

Altimeter Descent Approach Runway 52

Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 4, 2024

VNAV adds automated vertical guidance to approaches, reducing pilot workload during descents. That’s because each one assists you in navigating to the runway based on the weather and your aircraft equipment. When flying an LPV approach, your GPS provides accurate vertical and lateral guidance as low as 200 feet above the runway.

Approach 52

Approach Descent Weather VOR 52

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 13, 2024

The instructor was able to complete the turn, but the airplane overshot the runway. The pilot flying wrote, “After completing the turn back to the field we saw the airport environment and we were located over the runway but more than halfway down runway 17. The instructor’s preparation for an engine failure is exemplary.

Gross Weight 98

Gross Weight Runway Airplanes Pilot 98

Photographic Logbook

APRIL 19, 2024

Even though I was likely to be cleared through the outer ring by ATC (air traffic control) while on an instrument flight plan, I filed a route from Sodus to the Williamsport VOR (FQM) that circumvented the TFR entirely. The reroute was minimal, an insertion of Yardley VOR (ARD) into my flight plan. Runway and raindrops.

Approach 77

Approach Wind Shear Runway VOR 77

Photographic Logbook

JULY 11, 2024

We made an IFR departure that morning on runway 16 and climbed above the ceiling in short order. 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. Sometimes I have good luck switching to runway 10." "If

Ceiling 52

Ceiling Approach Weather Runway 52

iPad Pilot News

JUNE 3, 2025

and any adjustments to be made (runway lighting out of service, remote altimeter setting, etc.). Details shows communication frequencies, runway length, general notes, and expiration dates. This includes inbound course, DA/MDA, runway lighting (with a helpful graphic to decode the acronym), runway length, and touchdown zone elevation.

NOTAMs 59

NOTAMs Approach Runway Pilot 59

Air Facts

OCTOBER 30, 2024

Consisting of timed, coordinated climbs and descents, Patterns A and B required the pilot to be on altitude, on heading, and on time. The flying club’s Cessnas and Pipers stood out like a flock of scrawny pigeons as the eagles of Pan Am, TWA, British Airways, and the like lumbered by on their way to and from the runways.

NDB 52

NDB Checkride VOR Approach 52

Pilot Institute

MAY 1, 2024

The heading contains the city, state, airport, runway, and approach name. The landing minimums section includes: Minimum descent altitudes. Preflight Planning Some pilots believe an approach briefing means skimming the chart right before descent. Are there runway closures? Plan view. Decision altitudes/heights.

Approach 52

Approach NOTAMs Runway Weather 52

Photographic Logbook

OCTOBER 10, 2023

I had an easy out available to me: a descent of 1000 feet would bring me out of the clouds with plenty of altitude to spare above the terrain. Just north of the Selinsgrove VOR, Harrisburg called with the first change in routing. As I taxied off the runway, Moe greeted me on Unicom and directed me to a parking spot.

Transponder 52

Transponder Clearance Approach General Aviation 52

Photographic Logbook

OCTOBER 11, 2024

West of the Geneseo VOR, I passed high above Silver Lake and the gorge in Letchworth State Park. Closer to South Bass Island, the Put-In-Bay Airport (runways 3-21) appeared along the southeastern shore. I turned toward the morning sun to fly south of South Bass Island, descend to pattern altitude, and enter the pattern for runway 21.

Runway 89

Runway Approach Knot Drag 89

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 8, 2024

It seemed to continue this way until we finally rolled onto the runway and got to the good part. Enter left downwind Runway 18, report midfield.” ATC needs to know if you heard and understood the instructions correctly, so you need to “read back” what was said: “Enter left downwind Runway 18, report midfield, Cessna 12345.”

Aeronautical Information Manual 69

Aeronautical Information Manual Runway Pilot Air Traffic Control 69

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 8, 2024

It seemed to continue this way until we finally rolled onto the runway and got to the good part. Enter left downwind Runway 18, report midfield.” ATC needs to know if you heard and understood the instructions correctly, so you need to “read back” what was said: “Enter left downwind Runway 18, report midfield, Cessna 12345.”

Aeronautical Information Manual 52

Aeronautical Information Manual Runway Pilot Air Traffic Control 52

Professional Pilot

JULY 3, 2024

M ost difficult experience has been taxiing when visibility for runways is down to 150 m or less. I’d venture to say that few aircraft out there can cruise at 350 kts, and operate safely out of the 2500-ft runway at WKR, which has had its share of landing mishaps. Thinking we could be on fire, we initiated a 7000-fpm descent.

Pilot 40

Pilot Runway TWR NOTAMs 40