Pilot Institute

JANUARY 27, 2025

The Heading Indicator should not be confused with the Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI), which is an evolution of the Heading Indicator that includes VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) and Instrument Landing System (ILS) indications. Usually, on general aviation aircraft, only one of each is required.

Pitot Tube

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 15, 2025

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). These systems are common in commercial airplanes, but theyre starting to appear in newer general aviation airplanes too.

Approach

Flight Training Central

JUNE 16, 2025

Special flight rules provide for general aviation operations within the area. VOR, you must complete a special awareness training program and hold a certificate of training completion. Washington SFRA For heightened security, the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Area Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) was created. SFRA flight plan.

Clearance

Pilot's Life Blog

JUNE 17, 2025

Falcon Field provides a friendly atmosphere, low traffic compared to major airports, and a strong general aviation community. Its history as a World War II training base adds to its charm, with well-maintained runways, modern air traffic control, and a nearby aviation museum that keeps the spirit of flying alive.

Checkride

Flying Magazine

JULY 1, 2025

Some do well while others struggle as they get used to the feel of real controls, refine their rudder coordination skills, and attempt to tune radios and VORs without the option of hitting a “pause” button. Most modern general aviation trainer aircraft utilize yokes, but not every yoke is suitable for a home simulator, especially on a budget.

Rudder

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. This was a lesson learned in 2024 while coincidentally receiving another reroute near Philadelphia.

Runway

Northstar VFR

AUGUST 25, 2024

These required inspections are vitally important to the safe operation of general aviation aircraft, so even student pilots are required to know the basics to pass a Private Pilot checkride. There are a few exceptions when the aircraft can be flown outside of this timeframe, such as when a special flight permit is issued.

Annual Inspection

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 13, 2024

What NTSB Reports Say About Impossible Turns and Angle of Attack—Part 2: Analysis, Questions Raised, and Next Steps The current emphasis in general aviation (GA) safety is on visual angle of attack (AOA) indicators and impossible turns (return to the airport following engine failure). for several general aviation airplanes.

Gross Weight

AV Web

JULY 7, 2024

We navigated using pilotage and occasionally a VOR. Weather, especially dangerous weather, was an unseen and sometimes surprising thing before we could access and watch it on a screen in our humble general aviation spam cans. Have you ever seen those power outlet plugs in an airplane cockpit that we plug our iPads into?

Cockpit

Air Facts

APRIL 10, 2024

The written test had 25 questions and the hardest thing on the practical was explaining what VOR was and how it worked. Other logbook entries weave a story of the experiences only general aviation can bring. In spring of 1967 I soloed after eight hours of dual and received my ticket that fall.

VOR

Photographic Logbook

OCTOBER 10, 2023

Among General Aviation pilots, there was great fear that private aircraft would be permanently barred from controlled airspace, particularly around the epicenters of those attacks in New York City and Washington DC. Although 9/11 marked the weaponization of commercial aircraft, the aftereffects are felt most keenly by General Aviation.

Transponder

Pilot Institute

APRIL 24, 2024

Keeping jet traffic safe alongside slower general aviation aircraft is harder still. If flying under IFR, you’ll need a VOR or TACAN receiver, or an RNAV system (GPS). That’s a considerable detour for small general aviation aircraft. Managing so many aircraft is challenging. Equipment Requirements A two-way radio.

Clearance

Photographic Logbook

JULY 6, 2024

To provide student pilots an opportunity to experience real world general aviation flying outside of the training environment and introduce them to what they can do once they have earned their pilot certificates. To support our member pilots in trying new things in aviation that might be too intimidating for them to try on their own.

Pilot

AeroSavvy

AUGUST 20, 2021

I’m not Lindbergh… This trip was ambitious for me, but quite common in the general aviation community. Piper PA-32 Cherokee Six Navigation equipment includes a Garmin GNS-530W GPS navigator and two VOR receivers for secondary navigation. Small aircraft are designed for these kinds of flights.

Density Altitude

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 7, 2024

The Legacy General Aviation Fleet The beauty of so many legacy single-engine GA aircraft is that, when cared for properly, their aluminum airframes are quite resilient and resistant to fatigue. Maybe this is due to the slide rule and drafting table generation that designed them.

Cockpit

Photographic Logbook

OCTOBER 19, 2023

My filed route to Ogdensburg was via YOW (the Ottawa VOR) and IKLAX. I spotted a few traffic targets as they were called out to me, which was easy because they were airliners and quite a bit larger than the average General Aviation aircraft. Though completely unintentional, I liked the effect and kept it.

Approach

Pilot Institute

APRIL 26, 2024

We’re at the general aviation ramp with Information Alpha. Taxiing Pilot: Maryville Traffic, N123AB, general aviation ramp, taxiing to runway two-nine, Maryville Traffic. Ground: N123AB, after departure, fly heading three six zero, maintain VFR at or below six thousand, departure frequency 118.3, squawk four two nine six.

Clearance

Photographic Logbook

OCTOBER 28, 2023

Located directly on the Hudson River roughly thirty miles north of New York City, Sleepy Hollow is easily accessed by General Aviation and seven Williamson Flying Club members planned a Halloween pilgrimage there to follow the trail of the Headless Horseman. As the clouds broke up, we could see the Catskills lurking beneath.

Clearance

Flight Training Central

APRIL 29, 2024

Special flight rules provide for general aviation operations within the area. VOR, you must complete a special awareness training program and hold a certificate of training completion. Washington SFRA For heightened security, the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Area Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) was created. SFRA flight plan.

Clearance

Universal Weather

DECEMBER 12, 2024

Airport Infrastructure and Operations TBPB operates 24/7, offering flexibility for business aviation movements. Peak general aviation (GA) traffic times occur between 11001400 and 18002100 local time, which may lead to fueling delays or limited parking availability.

Clearance