Pilot Institute

MARCH 6, 2025

AGL is important for drone pilots as the regular ceiling for drone flight is defined as 400 feet AGL. Rather, it is affected by many factors, such as weather conditions and the presence of obstacles. Information transmitted via ATIS can include weather information, NOTAMs, available approaches, or active runaways.

Pilot 52

Pilot Weather Air Traffic Control NOTAMs 52

Northstar VFR

JULY 21, 2024

The tower informed me that our airport had just gone to IFR due to the low cloud ceilings. Special VFR If the airport you’re landing at is reporting 1000’ ceilings or less, but you determine that you can get there safely without entering the clouds, then you can request what is called special VFR. I didn’t even notice it!

Visual Flight Rules 52

Visual Flight Rules Ceiling Aeronautical Decision-Making Weather 52

Gary's Flight Journal

SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

I've been going through weather updates and long range forecasts for the last two weeks along with reviewing approaches and alternates for our flight. To start our flying day I must stress the most important part of flight planning, ADM, Aeronautical Decision Making. The MOS weather shows rain ending by 8am, we shall see.

Weather 52

Weather Clearance VOR Approach 52

Plane and Pilot

JULY 2, 2024

We may be the best pilot ever born, but we can’t force a tired Skyhawk to climb above its genuine absolute ceiling, undefined by any performance chart. You should go only if the weather is as benign as forecast, good alternates exist, and you feel good about doing it. But the reported ceiling was only 400 feet at the appointed hour.

Density Altitude 58

Density Altitude Airplanes Wind Shear Pilot 58