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. VFR requires minimum weather and visibility conditions.

Pilot

Flying Magazine

JULY 31, 2025

After earning your private pilot license, the next big step in your flying journey is obtaining an instrument rating. This allows you to fly in low visibility, through clouds, and under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). Additionally, it is specifically designed to apply directly to flight lessons.

Checkride

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 17, 2024

These weather alerts each have their own role: AIRMETs warn about moderate conditions like turbulence, icing, and limited visibility, which can affect smaller or less equipped aircraft. SIGMETs alert pilots to more severe weather events like thunderstorms, volcanic ash, or strong turbulence that could pose serious risks to any flight.

UTC

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 So that was of no help to me.

Approach

Pilot Institute

MAY 1, 2024

Instrument flying is all about mentally staying ahead of the aircraft. The approach procedure is often the most complicated part of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations. The best way to prepare for an approach is to review the charts during your pre-flight. Get the destination weather as soon as possible.

Approach