Pilot Institute

JUNE 9, 2025

Holding procedures often leave many prospective IFR pilots in a cold sweat. Pilots use holds for traffic delays, weather, emergencies, planning, or runway changes. Bad Weather Sometimes the airport may not be busy, but conditions at the time aren’t suitable for an airplane to make a safe landing. Want an example?

Airplanes

Vintage Aviation News

MAY 12, 2025

On this day in aviation history, 61 years agoMay 12, 1964American pilot Joan Merriam Smith completed her historic around-the-world flight, becoming the second woman to do so. However, seasonal weather and wind conditions proved unfavorable, requiring her to adjust her course as the flight progressed.

NDB

Air Facts

JULY 23, 2025

My duties at Skyway included flying as copilot on the Beech 99 and Beech 18, as well as pilot-in-command on the single-engine airplanes. Jerry had been my chief pilot and multi-engine instructor at an FBO in Springfield, Missouri, where we both worked prior to our employment at Skyway.

NDB

Flying Magazine

MAY 6, 2024

Louis proper has a big “middle of the country busy” airport that many pilots might choose to avoid—St. You could also identify this using the R-194 radial crossing from the STL VOR, using an ADF tuned to the NDB station of 227 if you still have one that works, or you can use your audio panel to identify passage of the outer marker beacon.

VOR

Air Facts

OCTOBER 30, 2024

Air Facts Journal I got my pilot’s license in 1984, but it was another five years before I became a pilot. Beginning almost forty years ago, I spent time in the cockpit with a series of pilots whose influence I have only recently started to appreciate. I’d get a full flight briefing, regardless of the weather.

NDB

Aviators of Tomorrow

JUNE 13, 2023

Whether you’re a seasoned pilot or a novice looking to embark on your first long-distance flight, careful planning and execution are vital to ensure a successful trip. Here are some crucial steps to follow: a) Check Weather Conditions: Stay updated on current and forecasted weather conditions along your route.

Air Traffic Control

Fear of Landing

JANUARY 3, 2025

The flight crew requested an NDB approach to Grozny and were cleared for approach to runway 26. The crew repeatedly asked for weather at Mineralnye Vody. Please, request weather Mineralnye Vody. Give us vectoring to Mineralnye Vody, and please give us weather Mineralnye Vody. Flight 8243 : Give us Makhachkala.

Weather