Flying Magazine

MAY 10, 2024

With a better understanding of the structure of the test, the material the exam covers, and some sample questions, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a commercial drone pilot. Courses like those offered by Altitude University , The Pilot Institute and ASA , for instance, include several graded practice exams and quizzes.

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Weight-Shift-Control Air Traffic Control Aeronautical Decision-Making Density Altitude 114

Flying Magazine

APRIL 30, 2024

The complexity of the instrument panel has served either to intrigue or intimidate potential pilots. Subscribe Now Featured And for new pilots—and this pilot who flies Cirrus aircraft sporadically—as opposed to a seasoned owner or dedicated Cirrus instructor, the barrier to entry and re-entry has fallen significantly.

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Pilot Airplanes Approach Jet 111

Air Facts

MAY 10, 2024

A circling approach is one that, by dwindling numbers and its inherent design, forces the pilot(s) into a seldom used and high-risk evolution–often migrating us to an unexpected and seldom visited zip code of the threat/error management neighborhood. A perfectly good airplane with everything operating as expected. No later than).

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Approach AGL Descent Runway 92

Professional Pilot

AUGUST 8, 2024

The request to make a short approach or maintain a higher-than-normal speed to the final approach fix is the most common reason pilots don’t meet stable approach criteria. Aviation writers and safety pundits hate writing about this topic as much as pilots hate reading about it. Houston, we have a problem. Yet here we are.

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Approach Descent Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) Runway 105

Flight Training Central

OCTOBER 18, 2024

Thousands of simulated Private Pilot written exams are completed every month in Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course , but certain topics consistently trip up aspiring aviators. Here are the five most often missed questions from September 2024 on the simulated Private Pilot Knowledge Test. 3,823 feet MSL the surface 700 feet AGL Correct!

Pilot 52

Pilot AGL Ceiling Lift 52

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 16, 2024

Almost immediately upon arrival into Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (PANC), I knew I was in airplane heaven from the immediate close-by 747s taxiing past the terminal windows to the noise of Beaver seaplanes whizzing overhead. The terrain reaches well over 4,000 feet agl, so a good vertical rise is seen.

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AGL Pilot Descent Weather 82

Flight Training Central

MARCH 18, 2024

For example, a pilot flying IFR in controlled airspace will have to file an IFR flight plan and receive an ATC clearance. For the VFR pilot flying in B, C, and D airspace, there are communication and/or clearance requirements. Pilots must obtain an ATC clearance before entering Class A, and maintain two-way radio contact with ATC.

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AGL Indicated Airspeed Clearance Transponder 52

Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 19, 2024

Flying at non-towered airports can feel like stepping into a space where youre both the pilot and air traffic controller. Lets explore the common mistakes pilots make at these airports and how you can avoid them. Its just you and other pilots doing your own communications. Does this sound intimidating? What does IPI stand for?

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Pilot Runway Air Traffic Control Approach 52

Chess In the Air

JUNE 24, 2022

About 90% of accidents could have been prevented by the pilot. Most can be avoided by diligent pre-flight preparations; by paying attention to what’s happening around us; by staying disciplined and flying within one’s margins; and by avoiding basic piloting mistakes through regular practice.

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Pilot AGL Wind Shear Runway 52

Flight Training Central

MARCH 4, 2024

The airplane will be flown at 1,000’ AGL parallel to and at an equal distance from the field boundaries – about ½ – ¾ miles from the boundary as you would fly a traffic pattern. As the airplane turns onto the following base leg, the tailwind will decrease and becomes a crosswind.

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Groundspeed Crosswind Aileron Rudder 52

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 9, 2024

The pilot was the passenger’s boyfriend. The boyfriend was a VFR private pilot with about 380 hours logged, properly certificated, and current. The airplane was his 1964 Cessna 172 E, white with blue and yellow trim. Approaching their destination, the pilot asked Memphis Center ATC for an airport weather report.

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Instrument Meteorological Conditions Weather Airplanes Pilot 52

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 2, 2024

It typically begins at 1200 feet AGL but can start lower in some locations. If you are a student pilot who plans on flying their first solo cross-country or a veteran pilot going on a trip, learning how to navigate via Class E airspace is a must. They allow you enough clearance to see and avoid other airplanes.

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Airspace Classes AGL Weather VOR 52

Air Facts

APRIL 29, 2024

This necessitated slowing the airplane down to leave the vertical space to descend another 2,000’ to reach the initial approach fix (IAF) at 2,000′ I requested a descent to the IAF altitude of 2,000’ but was only cleared to 3,000’. I immediately leveled off at around 650’ AGL, and began slowing down. RNAV 24 at KCPC.

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Descent Approach Weather AGL 93

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 9, 2024

The pilot was the passenger’s boyfriend. The boyfriend was a VFR private pilot with about 380 hours logged, properly certificated, and current. The airplane was his 1964 Cessna 172 E, white with blue and yellow trim. Approaching their destination, the pilot asked Memphis Center ATC for an airport weather report.

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Instrument Meteorological Conditions Weather Airplanes Pilot 52

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 27, 2024

As a relatively new pilot , I had failed to see the bigger picture. FAA weather charts can help for higher altitudes but when just a few thousand feet agl, they may be less useful. As a mountain-bred pilot, I’ve always enjoyed observing the ridges and valleys from on high and low. That day was different. We didn’t test it.

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Turbulence Weather Knot Descent 76

Flight Training Central

DECEMBER 4, 2023

A pilot needs to control the airplane in a manner that the wings support the weight of the airplane as long as practical to minimize stresses imposed on the landing gear by a rough surface or to prevent sinking into a soft surface. Once committed to the landing, the pilot should gently lower the nose-wheel to the surface.

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Approach Ground Effect Final Approach Airplanes 52

Pilot Institute

MAY 9, 2024

Despite the easygoing name, many pilots find lazy eights harder than they thought. There’s a reason why it’s been a commercial pilot practical test staple for decades. If you’re about to begin your commercial pilot journey, you’ve come to the right place! Let’s get started.

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Rudder Lift Aileron Drag 52

Northstar VFR

AUGUST 11, 2024

Pilots are known for liking speed, whether it’s in an aircraft, motorcycle, or boat. There are phases of flight when it’s critical that you know how to handle the airplane at slower speeds. Let’s look at the basics of slow flight: what it is, why we practice it as pilots, and the fundamentals of performing slow flight.

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Checkride Airplanes Pilot AGL 52

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 2, 2024

But, as you near the runway, the airplane starts to float. Ground effect is a phenomenon that every pilot must master. As a pilot, you must have a good understanding of ground effect to maintain control and make the required adjustments during important flight stages. You’re landing. You feel in control.

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Ground Effect Drag Lift Runway 52

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 27, 2024

First, you need to know your airplane. Be familiar with what an idling engine and slow gliding speed sound and feel like, what the clean descent rate is, how much altitude is lost during a 180- or 360-degree turn, and what minimum agl altitude you’ll want to have when you arrive abeam of your landing spot.

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Drag Descent AGL Runway 52

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 2, 2024

We practice power-off stalls to help us identify the signs of a stall and the characteristics of your airplane when it stalls. How to Perform a Power-off Stall The FAA’s Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards (ACS) outline the procedure for performing a power-off stall.

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Descent Approach AGL Lift 52

Air Facts

AUGUST 2, 2024

My first and last flying road trip Air Facts Journal Pilots tend to be optimists and seem to lead a richer fantasy life than most. For example, how many pilots have at some point fantasized that one day they might be called to the cockpit in an emergency? As it happened, my pilot brother-in-law, Chaz, thought this was a fine idea too.

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General Aviation Weather Pilot Cockpit 97

Pilot Institute

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024

Steep turns should be one of the most fun maneuvers pilots learn. But for many pilots, flying coordinated turns while keeping altitude and speed steady is hard enough. In maintaining a properly coordinated steep turn, the pilot must use the opposite aileron to maintain bank.

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Lift Aileron Drag Pilot 52

Northstar VFR

JULY 28, 2023

Most people aren't pilots , though. Pilots know that weather has an intense impact on flying. Altitude (without sounding like Captain Obvious) might just be the most important thing to a pilot. An altimeter is standard in every aircraft, and its sole job is to inform the pilot of how high in the sky they are.

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Density Altitude Altimeter True Altitude Weather 52

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 1, 2024

Knowing how low you can go, whether it’s at the bottom of a glideslope or when sneaking through a pass, and having the self-discipline to pull the plug when you reach that point, is simple piloting. Remember, the pilot is in the aircraft for one reason only—to make decisions. Execute the diversion.

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Weather Ceiling Approach Clearance 61

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 12, 2024

Power-off stalls can be anxiety-inducing for student pilots when they first experience them. A power-on stall occurs when the airplane’s nose rises too high, and the angle of attack becomes too steep, disrupting the airflow over the wings. There are very obvious indications the pilot receives of an impending stall.

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Stability Horizontal Stabilizer Airplanes Lift 52

Pilot Institute

MARCH 29, 2024

Key Takeaways Slow flight trains pilots to handle the aircraft at speeds just above stalling. That’s why it’s crucial for pilots to learn aircraft control at low speeds. Additionally, both private and commercial pilot checkrides require the demonstration of slow flight. Pilots use reference stalling speeds instead.

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Lift Rudder Drag AGL 52

Air Facts

OCTOBER 21, 2024

Sounds you NEVER want to hear Air Facts Journal Whenever a pilot “slips the surly bonds of earth and dances the sky on laughter silvered wings,” there are sounds they NEVER want to hear. “Top Dawg” (my callsign) flight was manned with instructor pilots (IP) in #1 (me) and #3 with students in Vipers #s 2 and 4.

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Runway AGL Approach Knot 52

Jetwhine

JANUARY 17, 2024

I’ve been flying jets for years as a corporate pilot, but not real jets to some … like fighter jets. When opportunity knocked with an offer to fly an Aero Vodochody L–39 Albatros (one “s” in the Czech spelling)—a single-engine bird still used as a basic trainer for some nation’s fighter pilots—I jumped at the chance.

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Knot Rudder Pilot Jet 52

Northstar VFR

JANUARY 4, 2023

by Gustin Robinson, FAA CFI-I ASEL Flying under instrument meteorological conditions keeps even a good pilot on their toes. As a student pilot you were always taught “see and avoid”, keep your eyes outside, etc. Stay ahead of the airplane and be safe! When flying in IFR conditions, this amplifies problems if they occur.

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Instrument Meteorological Conditions Ceiling Approach Weather 52

NAFI

NOVEMBER 9, 2023

~Guest Blogger Aaron Dabney The new CFI, a client of mine, had just explained to the newly-minted instrument pilot that the proposed flight was below his personal minimums. After a moment's silent gratitude that I'd had nothing to do with the instrument pilot's training, I told the CFI over the phone he was doing exactly the right thing.

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AGL NOTAMs Pilot Approach 40

Pilot Institute

SEPTEMBER 26, 2024

But before you can enter it, there are many important rules and concepts that as a pilot you must understand. Before entering Class C airspace, pilots must receive clearance from Air Traffic Control (ATC). Class C Airspace Dimensions Pilots frequently characterize the unique shape of Class C airspace as an upside-down wedding cake.

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Clearance Transponder Knot Indicated Airspeed 52

Pilot Institute

MARCH 26, 2024

A soft field landing is a technique pilots use when landing on unpaved surfaces. Why Do Pilots Perform Soft Field Landings? Crowd Source Information The next best resource for information about runway conditions is other pilots. Calculate your landing and takeoff distances using the pilot’s operating handbook (POH).

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NOTAMs Runway Approach Descent 52

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 1, 2024

Knowing how low you can go, whether it’s at the bottom of a glideslope or when sneaking through a pass, and having the self-discipline to pull the plug when you reach that point, is simple piloting. Remember, the pilot is in the aircraft for one reason only—to make decisions. Execute the diversion.

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Weather Ceiling Approach Clearance 52

Pilot Institute

MAY 25, 2024

Key Takeaways NOTAMs update pilots about changes in airspace, airports, and equipment that affect aircraft operations. NOTAMs alert pilots to issues that impact flight operations. A Real-Life Example Pilots who do not review NOTAMS before flight put themselves (and others) in danger. This tells pilots where the NOTAM applies.

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NOTAMs UTC Runway Federal Aviation Regulations 52

Flight Training Central

JANUARY 1, 2024

Personally, I have made two resolutions: 1) I am not going to eat any olives (I hate olives and haven’t eaten one since I was a kid and figured out I hate olives) and 2) not to kill myself (or anyone else) with an airplane. Failures are rare, but when flying a retractable gear airplane, we should practice manually extending the gear.

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Crosswind Approach Rudder Airplanes 52

Pilot Institute

AUGUST 31, 2024

All VOR service volumes begin at 1,000 ft AGL, as signals below this altitude are unreliable and can cause confusion and incorrect indications. This service expansion offers pilots a considerable increase in navigation range at higher altitudes over the legacy VORs. appeared first on Pilot Institute.

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VOR AGL Pilot Approach 52