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Trial by Ice

Air Facts

Just north of Jefferson City, the Kansas City Center controller cleared us to the Jeff City VOR, which was on the airport, to hold at 4,000 feet. I got out my instrument approach chart and studied the holding pattern and the VOR approach procedure. Then my worst fears became reality.

VOR
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Experience in the Chair: Guiding a Twin Beech Home

Air Facts

The longest runways had front course and back course ILS (Instrument Landing Systems) and an on-field VOR that provided navigation and approach capabilities for aircraft on instrument flights. In the 70s, enroute navigation was usually on VOR Airways (Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Radio). The Tower had no radar.

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Who is the pilot in command of your aircraft?

Air Facts

“The instrument conditions, likely turbulence, and increased workload imposed by beginning the approach phase of the flight presented a situation that was conducive to the development of spatial disorientation and a loss of situational awareness. Book work and sim time really do pay off.

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How to Read an IFR Approach Chart

Pilot Institute

When you cross the IAF, you enter the initial approach phase. Some initial approaches lead directly to the final approach. Many approaches have fixes in between called Intermediate Fixes (IF). FAF One of the profile view’s unique features is that it marks the Final Approach Fix (FAF) distinctively.

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Drone Lingo Simplified: Acronyms Every Pilot Needs To Know

Pilot Institute

VORTAC – VHF Omni-directional Range/Tactical Air Navigation VORTAC is a navigational aid operating in the VHF band that is used to provide guidance along airways, air traffic service routes, and intermediate and final approach tracks. It consists of two independent components VOR and TACAN.

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RNAV Approaches Simplified: A Guide for New Pilots

Pilot Institute

Before RNAV, pilots had to rely on radios (NAVAIDs) and antennas on the ground such as VORs (Very High-Frequency Omnidirectional Range) and NDBs (Non-Directional Beacons). Most RNP approaches (RNP APCH) start with RNP 1 accuracy and get even tighter as you get closer to the runwaydown to RNP 0.3 on the final approach.

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I Almost Hit the Trees: A Lesson in IFR Vertigo

Air Facts

I turned back and entered the holding pattern over the VOR where the approach to Whiting Field began. As each airplane ahead of me began their approach, I descended in the holding pattern. As each airplane ahead of me began their approach, I descended in the holding pattern. Two pilots landed successfully.