Air Facts

MAY 7, 2025

The equipment was often not much modernized from the military days so the pilots likely hoped for good weather as they filed their flight plans. In the 70s, enroute navigation was usually on VOR Airways (Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Radio). Such it was in those days. The Tower had no radar.

Weight-Shift-Control

Pilot Institute

MARCH 6, 2025

Rather, it is affected by many factors, such as weather conditions and the presence of obstacles. FSS Flight Service Station A Flight Service Station (FSS) is a ground facility that relays information to aircraft pilots. TFRs are published in real-time and can be checked using drone flight planning apps or via LAANC.

Pilot

Inflight Pilot Training

MARCH 30, 2025

An Instrument Rating is an FAA certification that allows you to fly under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). Youll learn how to navigate, communicate with Air Traffic Control, interpret weather, and conduct instrument approaches to airports, all without relying on whats outside your window. Flight canceled. A busy Class B airport?

Pilot

Air Facts

JUNE 4, 2025

Inside the FBO, I grabbed a cup of coffee and checked the weather briefing one last time. I filed my flight plan and headed out. I tuned the Manila VOR to confirm my position and set up the next waypoint. Another flight behind us. Winds aloft were light and variableideal for a smooth cruise. Trust the tools.

Altimeter

AV Web

JUNE 24, 2025

He must turn on his computer, check the weather, plan a flight, preflight the plane, sump fuel, do all the checklists … you get the idea. Somewhat counterintuitively, one of the least useful activities you can do is load up at your home airport with real weather, plan a flight you’ve flown a zillion times, and fly it in the sim.

Weather

Pilot's Life Blog

JUNE 17, 2025

Mesa, AZ, is home to over 300 sunny days each year, making it a top spot for flight training. When you search for flight instructors near Mesa, you’ll find that consistent good weather means fewer lesson cancellations and more time in the air. Emphasis on cockpit resource management, flight planning, and weather interpretation.

Checkride

Pilot Institute

MAY 26, 2025

These weather events are fierce and brutal, and whats worse is that you never see them coming. How can you stay safe during high-altitude flights? Weather reports, forecasts, and PIREPS are the best way to identify and warn others about CAT. Clear air turbulence doesnt need stormy weather to show up. Lets break them down.

Turbulence

Pilot's Life Blog

FEBRUARY 10, 2025

Discussions may also cover weather interpretation, flight planning, and risk management. The goal is to ensure that pilots are up-to-date with the knowledge required for safe flight operations. Flight Instruction: During this portion, pilots perform various maneuvers to demonstrate their flying proficiency.

Weather

Flight Training Central

MARCH 10, 2025

You’ll likely pass through several classes of airspace on every flight, whether it’s your first solo or a cross-country flight to the beach. Each class of airspace is depicted with unique markings on the sectional chart and different VFR weather minimums and equipment requirements. Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA).

Visual Flight Rules

Photographic Logbook

JUNE 29, 2025

During the fall of 2024, I planned a flight to Massey Aerodrome (MD1) in Maryland that I cancelled due to weather. Once on course to East Texas, I plotted the waypoints defining Victor 29 in Foreflight and inserted all of them into the GNS-430 flight plan. In other words, it seemed to be my kind of destination.

Runway

Air Facts

JULY 23, 2025

What would really make it stressful was the weather. Eight of these would be non-precision VOR and fixed-card NDB approaches flown to minimums in a non-radar environment. We hand-flew them every minute of every flight. I met Jerry in the crew briefing room and we began flight planning.

NDB

Flight Training Central

OCTOBER 14, 2024

This is not only common sense, but it’s a legal requirement too: Preflight Action (FAR 91.103) – Each pilot in command shall, before beginning a flight, become familiar with all available information concerning that flight.

Ceiling

Northstar VFR

SEPTEMBER 1, 2024

The FAA offers a great risk management checklist that we are encouraged to use before each flight: PAVE. Maybe you’re flying with another pilot, and the weather conditions are great. It’s possible you could decide that you can make the flight safely. Is the weather within your personal minimums?

Pilot

Flying Magazine

MAY 15, 2024

Scenario 3: VFR into IFR If you read the accident reports the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) compiles, you will notice a lot are attributed in part to the pilot’s decision to continue VFR into deteriorating weather. In the ATD the scenario begins by having the pilot check the weather before takeoff. What could go wrong?

Crosswind

Plane and Pilot

JULY 16, 2024

Weather Report Interpretation Weather interpretation is an important skill all pilots must develop to make safe and smart decisions. Decoding and interpreting weather reports can be tough in the beginning, but it’s best to start getting comfortable with the language now. Check out more King Schools training programs here.

Density Altitude

Air Facts

FEBRUARY 24, 2025

We did all the preplanning, rented a Piper Warrior, checked weather forecasts three times daily, and it did not look good, so we didnt tell many we were going. Frank and I flew out of Grand Island, Nebraska early Saturday morning and the weather looked good to Omaha. He replied that it was cloudy but that he could see for miles.

Weather

Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 4, 2024

That’s because each one assists you in navigating to the runway based on the weather and your aircraft equipment. The VNAV calculates the descent path based on many factors, such as aircraft performance, approach rules, weather conditions, and the aircraft’s weight. Why do pilots need different types of approach guidance?

Approach

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 2, 2024

No ATC clearance is required for VFR flights below 10,000 feet. Use the Cessna 3-152 mnemonic to remember weather minimums for VFR. While other types of controlled airspace require two-way radio communication, IFR flight plans, and various kinds of equipment, Class E airspace below 10,000 feet does not.

Airspace Classes

Photographic Logbook

APRIL 19, 2024

This year, a promising weather forecast featuring high freezing levels (expected to be 9,000+ feet) led to a decision to fly myself. April 17: High Altitude Lunch Date Aircraft Route of Flight Time (hrs) Total (hrs) 17 Apr 2024 N21481 SDC (Sodus, NY) - PNE (Philadelphia, PA) 2.6 It added less than 10 minutes to the overall flight time.

Approach

Pilot's Life Blog

DECEMBER 20, 2024

Ground school is where youll learn the theory behind flyingeverything from aerodynamics to flight regulations and weather patterns. At Leopard Aviation, we ensure our ground school curriculum provides you with a solid understanding, preparing you for both written exams and hands-on flight training.

Pilot

Pilot Institute

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

They often are too busy to plan a commercial flight from start to finish. As a result, larger operations often rely on dispatchers specializing in flight planning to handle the responsibility. They also plan diversions and give pilots feedback during emergencies. Does it have GPS, INS, or VOR systems?

Weather

Gary's Flight Journal

SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

I've been going through weather updates and long range forecasts for the last two weeks along with reviewing approaches and alternates for our flight. To start our flying day I must stress the most important part of flight planning, ADM, Aeronautical Decision Making. The MOS weather shows rain ending by 8am, we shall see.

Clearance

Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 12, 2024

Or you might stray off course and into bad weather or obstacles. If you have weather information Charlie, then you say youre with Charlie. For example: Pilot: Seattle Approach, Cessna November Four Five One Romeo, Two Zero miles west of Seattle VOR, at 8,000, with Sierra, to land. is talking to Dallas Clearance Delivery.

Approach

Gary's Flight Journal

MARCH 18, 2024

The Weather Watch Some of my go to weather pages have changed or gone away but I have been working on some new to me weather tools for my cross country flight planning. I always use Foreflights Imagery and MOS on the weather selection along with Windy, Aviation Weather Center, Weather Underground.

Weather

iPad Pilot News

JUNE 3, 2025

Its within 30nm of the Falmouth VOR, but once thats drawn on the chart you can see how far that is from the airport. If youre trying to land at an airport with bad weather, go to the Airports tab, then Charts, and tap the Show with Minima button. Take the Minimum Safe Altitude (MSA) for the ILS 21L at Cincinnati Lunken. Is it legal?

NOTAMs

Photographic Logbook

JULY 6, 2024

In order to reach College Park, pilots must receive specific training from the FAA, undergo vetting by the TSA to earn a personal identification number (PIN) necessary to authorize flight plans within the FRZ, and follow the unique and specific rules for operating into and out of the FRZ. If that sounds intimidating, it is. Tough room.

Pilot

Photographic Logbook

OCTOBER 10, 2023

New Adventures in Flight Planning and Filing I decided to test-drive my PIN and the whole FRZ process for the first time as my annual fall solo flight in October of 2023. Any flight into the FRZ requires a FRZ flight plan. Just north of the Selinsgrove VOR, Harrisburg called with the first change in routing.

Transponder

AeroSavvy

AUGUST 20, 2021

Piper PA-32 Cherokee Six Navigation equipment includes a Garmin GNS-530W GPS navigator and two VOR receivers for secondary navigation. An autopilot and Aspen primary flight display reduce workload on long flights. ADS-B provides real-time traffic information and almost-live NEXRAD radar and weather data.

Density Altitude

Photographic Logbook

OCTOBER 19, 2023

Preparations for this trip the night before included: Flight planning to time-out each of the four legs of the planned round trip as well as verification of customs hours (Kingston, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm M-F, Ogdensburg, 8:00 am to midnight every day). Filing three IFR flight plans (KSDC to CYGK, CYGK to CYRO, and CYRO to KOGS).

Runway

Gary's Flight Journal

MAY 3, 2024

I launched from runway three-two and pointed for the Snow Hill VOR. Once south of Myrtle Beach I was turned direct Charleston VOR. The weather is perfect with a cool breeze as we searched for sone late lunch. Wednesday 5/1 I’m up early and as all pilots do, I’m checking weather for our return home. What a nice guy.

Runway

Aviators of Tomorrow

JUNE 13, 2023

Here are some crucial steps to follow: a) Check Weather Conditions: Stay updated on current and forecasted weather conditions along your route. Unfavorable weather can significantly impact your flight, so it’s crucial to assess conditions and plan accordingly. Can I fly cross-country without GPS navigation?

Air Traffic Control

Photographic Logbook

OCTOBER 19, 2023

But I also needed to be airborne at 3:00 pm or else amend my flight plan and arrival time with US Customs in Ogdensville, NY. She disclosed that she took flight lessons when she was younger, but only had experience with Cessnas. My filed route to Ogdensburg was via YOW (the Ottawa VOR) and IKLAX. Is that a Piper?"

Approach

Photographic Logbook

OCTOBER 11, 2024

With gusty winds forecast along the eastern seaboard on October 11, I let the weather prognostic chart suggest a different course. During flight planning, I determined that 8,000 feet would provide the best wind advantage of the available preferred westbound IFR cruise altitudes. It must have been the mutton chops.

Runway

Gary's Flight Journal

NOVEMBER 9, 2023

It’s scary but we both talk out the plan then double team all reservations required. Weather Outlook The weather watch starts two weeks in advance for any of our adventures. I completed my pre flight with only needing to sump fuel on departure day. The whole process has become second nature. Saturday 11.4 Saturday 11.4

Approach

Photographic Logbook

OCTOBER 28, 2023

Fittingly Gloomy Date Aircraft Route of Flight Time (hrs) Total (hrs) 28 Oct 2023 N21481 SDC (Sodus, NY) - HPN (White Plains, NY) - SDC 5.0 Tom and I filed via the Rockdale VOR, which was a starting point on the Nobbi Five arrival procedure used in the greater New York area. That was a good plan. Now, we faced it head on.

Clearance