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How to Read METAR and TAF Reports

Pilot Institute

m/s) Visibility: 9999 6 or more sm (10+ km) Weather: VCSH VCSH (showers in the vicinity) Clouds: SCT010 BKN030 OVC060 Scattered clouds at 1000 feet AGL, broken clouds at 3000 feet AGL, overcast cloud deck at 6000 feet AGL Ceiling: BKN030 3000 feet AGL Icing: 620509 Light rime in clouds from 5000 to 14000 feet AGL 1.

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Long Trips & Small Airplanes

Plane and Pilot

The route is simple, GPS direct, but…there’s my personal 1,000-foot en route ceiling requirement, and those silly Smoky Mountains. But if I was going VFR over strange territory, I would want lots more than 1,000 feet agl. The 1,000-foot en route ceiling means that approach minimums never come into question.

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Trial by Ice

Air Facts

Flying a single engine airplane, under IFR, in the clouds, in a non-radar environment and without an autopilot, adds a great deal to the pilots work load. With three airplanes, we departed Springfield for Fairfield, Iowa to compete in an NIFA competition against five other schools. This was the situation on Friday, December 1, 1972.

VOR 52
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How Low is Too Low?

Plane and Pilot

The conditions were a mile of visibility and about 500 feet of ragged ceiling, barely enough to maintain orientation by landmarks passing below. A low ceiling absolutely ends a planned flight, though visibility may be the legal determining factor in some situations. Have the full instrument approach set up, in case things go bad.

Weather 81
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Riding the Mountain Waves

Plane and Pilot

Often, turbulence is the harbinger of mountain waves, not the ideal ceiling—and visibility unlimited—day. FAA weather charts can help for higher altitudes but when just a few thousand feet agl, they may be less useful. Unless contact with the ground is imminent, slow to maneuvering speed and let the airplane ride the wave.

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Flight Sims for the Win: It’s All About Repetition and Drill

Flying Magazine

It can also be dangerous when the learner drops the airplane to fly the checklist or radio, so practice in the ATD is often a good way to learn procedures, as the ATD is a CFI-controlled environment. To get the most out of the scenario, the learner should use the same procedures in the airplane. It’s an ATD. What could go wrong?

Crosswind 111
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Danger lurks in circling approaches

Air Facts

A perfectly good airplane with everything operating as expected. An acceptable meteorological combination of ceiling, visibility, and wind. At what AGL altitude will the aircraft be in a stable/configured condition? (No A known degree of familiarity with the airfield and surrounding terrain. No later than).