Pilot's Life Blog

JANUARY 5, 2025

Approach speeds typically range from 80 to 90 knots depending on weight and flap settings, while full flaps are often used to provide the necessary lift during landing. The aircrafts landing gear is retractable, which must be extended during the final approach. The final approach is a delicate balance of power, pitch, and speed.

Descent 52

Descent Final Approach Approach Runway 52

Flying Magazine

APRIL 26, 2024

To demonstrate this magnificent place, I chose horrendously gusty winds by manually editing the weather in both X-Plane 12 (XP12) and MSFS2020. Left downwind on a blustery day with live weather actually shows a virga burst over the field, with local winds gusting 36 knots, making for some extreme conditions in such a tight canyon.

Crosswind 105

Crosswind Weather Knot Aileron 105

Chess In the Air

JULY 4, 2022

I have tried to wait out a storm only to watch a bigger and badder one to move in and the overall weather situation getting worse. We should make more pro-active use of our radios to warn other aviators of threatening weather. They are also not limited to summer soaring weather. Are dry microbursts really invisible?

Wind Shear 52

Wind Shear AGL Lift Runway 52

Charles Ryan's Flying Adventure

MARCH 28, 2024

This is the area of Rossio Santa Maria Maior The view is absolutely stunning especially in good weather. On the day of departure Even though we had plenty of time before our flight departure, we decided to head to the airport early as dragging our cabin baggage across the footpath was not ideal. Goodbye Lisbon, until next time!

Turbulence 52

Turbulence Weather Runway Narrow-Body Aircraft 52

Photographic Logbook

JULY 7, 2024

Kristy and I ended our first visit in 2016 prematurely due to ominous movement on a weather map. She had the students flying left handed patterns and directed me to enter on a right downwind where she expertly sequenced us into the conga line of piston aircraft queued up on final approach.

Approach 52

Approach Clearance Runway General Aviation 52

Charles Ryan's Flying Adventure

MARCH 10, 2024

Having to drag your baggage across the carpeted area is not fun. On final approach to LHR runway 27 Left. It was certainly a great day for flying, the weather on route was excellent. The weather at London was certainly gloomy but at least I had a good view of the city before landing.

Cabin Crew 52

Cabin Crew Runway Airlines Airline 52

Pilot Institute

MAY 8, 2025

You’re on your final approach and suddenly realize your landing gear isnt down. During certain phases of flight, you may retract the landing gear to reduce drag and improve climb performance. Later, as you approach your destination, you’ll need to extend the gear again for landing. But how does this happen?

Air Traffic Control 52

Air Traffic Control Runway Pilot Approach 52