Pilot's Life Blog

JUNE 18, 2025

Slow Flight Slow flight is one of the key types of aircraft maneuvers every student pilot should learn because it teaches how the plane behaves near stall speeds and how to maintain control with reduced airflow over the wings. Proper pitch, power management, and alignment with the runway are emphasized.

Pilot

Air Facts

FEBRUARY 28, 2025

I Am UNSAFE ChecklistLessons Learned on a Fateful Night Air Facts Journal You get experience by making mistakes and surviving, and then, as a result, become a safer more confident pilot. The weather was challenging, but quite flyable, until just before the JOT VOR, which was the outer marker on the ILS2L approach.

Ceiling

Inflight Pilot Training

MARCH 30, 2025

Earning your Private Pilot License (PPL) is one of the most exciting milestones in your aviation journey. At Inflight Pilot Training, we specialize in helping Private Pilots grow their skills and expand their horizons. Its a remarkable achievement that opens the door to a new world of freedom. What Is an Instrument Rating?

Pilot

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. Runway Changes (or Closure) Where possible, airplanes normally like to land in the wind. Yep, those runway numbers do mean something.

Airplanes

Air

JUNE 17, 2025

Understanding a Visual Approach Chart VAC A Practical Guide for Pilots Every pilot remembers the feeling of approaching a familiar aerodrome: a blend of focus and comfort. To navigate safely within the controlled airspace of an aerodrome, Visual Flight Rules (VFR) pilots rely on a vital document: the Visual Approach Chart (VAC).

Approach

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 22, 2025

Theyre officially called Instrument Approach Procedure (or IAP) charts, but pilots often casually call them approach plates. Airport information, such as the length of the runway and the approach lighting pattern. As a pilot flying this approach, you need to know where to look for the right information at the right time.

Approach

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 28, 2025

One of the most important skills pilots learn during flight training is sound decision making. Every flight, regardless of the complexity of the airplane or the distance of the trip, is comprised of a continuous series of decisions involving a host of variables that the pilot must make in order to safely get from point A to point B.

Ceiling

Pilot's Life Blog

JUNE 17, 2025

As Leopard Aviation, we know why aspiring pilots search for flight instructors near Mesa. 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

MAY 9, 2025

The pilot and six passengers were killed. Before the crash, the pilot reported to Salt Lake City Center the loss of the autopilot and declared an emergency. The pilot then advised he was trying to get control of the airplane, and the controller asked if he needed additional assistance. The pilot and passenger died.

Aeronautical Decision-Making

Photographic Logbook

JUNE 29, 2025

"Hi.I'm in Delaware." - Wayne Campbell, Wayne's World , 1992 Restless Pilot Syndrome Having resumed acting as pilot in command of my own airplane after a relatively brief setback, I was delighted beyond words to be back at it. When I was passed to Dover Approach, the controller was handing off another pilot in Grumman 716ER.

Runway

Air Facts

JUNE 23, 2025

I turned back and entered the holding pattern over the VOR where the approach to Whiting Field began. Two pilots landed successfully. The third one saw the runway but couldn’t land. The previous pilot couldn’t see anything, and conditions weren’t improving. Then the runway. Both pilots suffered fatal injuries.

Altimeter

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. Audrey had reduced his pilot staff.

NDB

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 19, 2024

Are you curious about flying a VOR approach? If you’re aiming to master instrument-rated flying, it’d be valuable to learn about VOR approaches. We’ll cover what a VOR approach is, how to fly it step-by-step, and even whether GPS can replace it in today’s navigation. Ready to make VOR approaches easy?

VOR

Flying Magazine

MAY 13, 2024

It has long been said that the private pilot certificate is a “license to learn” as it is the foundation of a person’s flying career. Subscribe Now Featured I am not a DPE, but for several years I have been a check pilot providing mock check rides for applicants at the request of their CFIs.

Pilot

Flight Training Central

OCTOBER 14, 2024

Pilots should always be evaluating alternate airports. One of the most important skills pilots must continue to hone is sound decision-making. Though it’s rare, your destination airport could become unusable due to a thunderstorm moving in, or a disabled airplane on the runway.

Ceiling

Flying Magazine

MAY 15, 2024

If utilizing Runway 17 with left traffic, the crosswind turn will be heading 080, downwind 350, base 260, etc. Don’t accept the excuses of “I can’t fly if I can’t see the runway,” or “I can’t feel the airplane.” If you are flying with another pilot, insist on briefing who-does-what tasks in this situation. It’s an ATD.

Crosswind

Flying Magazine

MAY 6, 2024

Louis proper has a big “middle of the country busy” airport that many pilots might choose to avoid—St. Subscribe Now Featured A) Two Radials Depicted From the STL VOR, there are two radials depicted that intersect with the final approach path—the R-144 and the R-194. The “Gateway to the West,” St. Louis Lambert International ( KSTL ).

VOR

WayMan

NOVEMBER 8, 2024

Understanding these procedures is essential for pilots flying under IFR ( Instrument Flight Rules ) to maintain organized, safe, and efficient air traffic. This is a predetermined routing path of an aircraft from the departure runway onto an enroute airway. For example, “Fly runway heading to 3,000 feet, then DIRECT XYZ VOR.”

Pilot

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 13, 2024

The many analyses and videos on these topics have been done in what can best be described as laboratory conditions—carefully selected ideal conditions of pilot, airplane, and environment. None of these achieved enough altitude to have permitted a successful impossible turn, but there were pilots who tried, anyway.

Gross Weight

Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 12, 2024

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. Pilot: “Dallas Clearance Delivery, Cessna November Four Five One Romeo at the east ramp. The departure runway and the departure procedure. Heres an example. ” Confused?

Approach

Pilot Institute

MARCH 13, 2025

The CDI Instrument The Course Deviation Indicator (CDI) is an instrument that helps pilots determine whether theyre on course. You can use the CDI with navigation aids like VOR (VHF Omnidirectional Range) or GPS. We wont explain technical details, so you may not understand the example if you havent used a VOR.

VOR

Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 12, 2024

Key Takeaways MDA applies to non-precision approaches, requiring pilots to level off at a minimum altitude. Pilots use special paths called IFR approaches to help them line up with the runway. Minimums are the lowest height you can go without seeing the runway. Ready to clear up the confusion around MDA vs DA?

Altimeter

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. Then came the long taxi to the runway. I’ve been a lucky man, indeed.

NDB

Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 4, 2024

Many pilots just memorize the answers instead of truly understanding them, especially when it comes to complicated topics like LPV, LNAV, and VNAV. VNAV adds automated vertical guidance to approaches, reducing pilot workload during descents. Why do pilots need different types of approach guidance? What Are LPV, LNAV, and VNAV?

Approach

iPad Pilot News

JUNE 3, 2025

Garmin SmartCharts: a pilots guide to interactive instrument charts iPad Pilot News For all the cutting edge features found in modern EFB apps, nothing is more important than charts. and any adjustments to be made (runway lighting out of service, remote altimeter setting, etc.). That changed last week.

NOTAMs

Photographic Logbook

APRIL 19, 2024

Even though I was likely to be cleared through the outer ring by ATC (air traffic control) while on an instrument flight plan, I filed a route from Sodus to the Williamsport VOR (FQM) that circumvented the TFR entirely. But they have become a grudgingly acknowledged facet of pilot life. Seneca and Cayuga Lakes in the gloom.

Approach

Gary's Flight Journal

FEBRUARY 26, 2024

I found a willing participant, also a BAC member, that agreed to be my safety pilot. Since I was tracking the VOR I decided to knock out a VOR check, flying the Waterloo 171 degree radial to the IAF FEMOD. A big thanks to Anita for her safety pilot time, it was very much appreciated.

VOR

Pilot Institute

AUGUST 9, 2024

Pilots also request holding patterns when extra time is required. They’re difficult for students to pick up and tedious, even for experienced instrument pilots. The pilot should adjust the time flown on the outbound leg to maintain a one-minute inbound leg. For example, to set up the aircraft for landing or troubleshooting.

VOR

Air Facts

FEBRUARY 24, 2025

My soon to be best friend for life, and I, both freshmen pilots, decided to fly to the Indy 500 which was only 650 miles away. The VOR was useless, so I was now flying IFD (I Follow Directions) zig zagging across the country getting new vectors from time to time. I was advised to just follow the light area in the clouds above us also.

Weather

Pilot Institute

MAY 1, 2024

For new instrument pilots, flying an approach to minimums is a big challenge. Key Takeaways Instrument approach briefings help pilots maintain situational awareness during the approach. As pilots, we must review and brief the approach in detail before attempting to fly it. Pilots use both types of charts extensively.

Approach

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 15, 2024

If you take off from Runway 27, you intercept and track the PDZ R-030 radial inbound and make a direct entry tracking the PDZ R-078 radial outbound, using non-standard left turns. If you take off from Runway 9, you would intercept and track the PDZ R-093 radial inbound, execute a parallel entry, and then track the PDZ R-078 outbound.

Aeronautical Information Manual

Flight Training Central

NOVEMBER 4, 2024

Class B Basics Class B Airspace Dimensions Minimum Pilot Certification for Class B Airspace Minimum Equipment for Class B Airspace Class B Speed Limitations Getting Around and Through Class B Airspace Class B Basics Yes, it is true that Class B airspace surrounds some of the busiest airports. What’s in this article?

Indicated Airspeed

Photographic Logbook

JULY 11, 2024

We made an IFR departure that morning on runway 16 and climbed above the ceiling in short order. We were assigned a slightly ridiculous alteration to the route I filed: MANCH T316 LAMMS T608 ROC that had us flying past Sodus to the Rochester VOR before setting up for Sodus. Sometimes I have good luck switching to runway 10." "If

Ceiling

Flight Training Central

MAY 23, 2024

Try something fun to remind you why you’re making the investment in a pilot certificate. A non-towered field with a shorter runway will challenge you and help you hone your aim-point on landings. If you’re having trouble with cross country flights or VOR and GPS tracking, fly with your instructor to an early breakfast.

VOR

Pilot Institute

APRIL 24, 2024

Pilots must meet equipment and certification requirements and have ATC clearance to enter. Airports such as ATL and JFK have multiple runways and cover around 5,000 acres of land. If flying under IFR, you’ll need a VOR or TACAN receiver, or an RNAV system (GPS). Why are Class C and D airspace inadequate for such airports?

Clearance

Photographic Logbook

JULY 6, 2024

Our committee encourages club pilots to expand their horizons by venturing beyond the local area. 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. after 9/11.

Pilot

AeroSavvy

AUGUST 20, 2021

Pilots who regularly operate at high elevation airports are (or should be) familiar with planning this type of flying. The “Six” can seat 6 (pilot + 5 passengers) in a 2-2-2 seating configuration. Although not a problem for airliners, flying at high altitude airports presents challenges for pilots of small piston aircraft.

Density Altitude