Pilot Institute

MARCH 19, 2025

Pilots use METARs for flight safety, runway selection, and weather planning. To accommodate this, airports will normally choose a runway number corresponding to the general wind direction. Landing in a tailwind vastly increases the runway required to slow to a safe speed. What Is a METAR? Why is it important in a METAR?

Weather

Photographic Logbook

MAY 25, 2025

The most useless things in aviation are altitude above you, runway behind you, and fuel left on the ground." Multiple student pilots were orbiting in a right-handed pattern north of the airport for touch and go's on runway 27R. Two(ish) mile final for runway 27L at Oakland County International. Aviate, navigate, communicate." "The

OAT

Air Facts

MAY 5, 2025

Flying in the clouds in a single engine airplane when the OAT is below freezing is not a good idea! Upon level off at 4,000, I was relieved to note the OAT gauge was showing +3 degrees C. A few minutes later, we heard the center controller clear a Trans Missouri Airlines commuter plane for the VOR Runway 30 approach to Jefferson City.

VOR

Air Facts

JULY 28, 2025

Takeoff on runway 05, left turn northwest, initial climb to 2,000’. My choice was clear: 1) reject the new routing and stay on the ground, or 2) accept the northerly route and climb as directed, relying on my prep and real-time monitoring. I accepted the route—with caution. Soon I was handed to Departure, who cleared me to 4,000’. Light rain.

Clearance

AeroSavvy

AUGUST 20, 2021

After 50 minutes, we were taxiing to the runway. Planning Pays Off Our takeoff from Santa Fe’s runway 02 went exactly as planned. We noticed the anticipated slower-than-normal acceleration; with liftoff 2,500 feet down the 8,300 foot runway. When we reached the OATES intersection, I pointed the Six toward Winslow.

Density Altitude

Pilot Institute

MARCH 26, 2025

Density Altitude = Pressure Altitude + [120 x (OAT – Standard Temperature)] For example, the temperature at a pressure altitude of 5,000ft is 7C. Note: OAT and ISA Standard Temperature should be in degrees Celsius. Miscalculating density altitude can lead to runway excursions and fatalities.

Density Altitude

AV Web

SEPTEMBER 1, 2024

I should mention that we were no longer going to a controlled, paved runway airport. Ned was feeling his navigational oats. Still, I gave him a new destination near enough to the original to allow him to retain the winds aloft and the weather briefing from his original plan. “Wow,” he said.

Flight Computer