Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 15, 2025

Area Navigation (RNAV) is a way for pilots to know where they’re going without needing help from the ground. Before RNAV, pilots had to rely on radios (NAVAIDs) and antennas on the ground such as VORs (Very High-Frequency Omnidirectional Range) and NDBs (Non-Directional Beacons). What Are RNAV Approaches? How Does RNAV Work?

Approach 52

Approach Pilot Descent Airplanes 52

Ask a Flight Instructor

JANUARY 26, 2025

I typically arrive over the airfield/intended landing point 3,000 AGL then fly a 360 degree steep descent to a short final. I believe the civilian equivalent is the 360 degree power-off landing once required of commercial pilot candidates, and described in previous editions of the Airplane Flying Handbook.

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AGL Descent Runway Pilot 52

Plane and Pilot

MARCH 15, 2025

Theres no doubt its been a useful technology for pilots, though recent events have caused those who early on questioned privacy matters to speak up once again. Go read Jeremy Kings Words Aloft column from last month if you havent alreadyhe dissects some of the pilot communitys reaction to new ADS-B-prompted landing fees.

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AGL Pilot General Aviation Cockpit 62

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 6, 2024

Maybe it’s the Georgia flying weather, or maybe it’s the ever-increasing emphasis on “old” pilot instead of “bold” pilot, but it seems that flight planning these days is a lot more about if and when than about route and altitude. But if I was going VFR over strange territory, I would want lots more than 1,000 feet agl.

Airplanes 95

Airplanes Weather Ceiling Turbulence 95

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 14, 2025

Thousands of simulated Private Pilot written exams are completed every month in Sportys Learn to Fly Course , but certain topics consistently trip up aspiring aviators. Here are the five most often missed questions from January 2025 on the simulated Private Pilot Knowledge Test. 3,823 feet MSL the surface 700 feet AGL Correct!

Altimeter 82

Altimeter Pilot True Altitude AGL 82

iPad Pilot News

DECEMBER 17, 2024

ForeFlight vs. Garmin Pilot: 3 key differences to help you decide iPad Pilot News There are a handful of full-featured aviation Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) apps available today for pilots, both free and paid, which provide just about every preflight and in-flight resource you’ll need for both VFR and IFR operations.

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Pilot Weather Flight Plan Approach 105

iPad Pilot News

JUNE 7, 2024

ForeFlight adds wake turbulence alerts iPad Pilot News Datalink weather stole the show when portable ADS-B technology debuted over a decade ago, providing pilots with free in-flight weather imagery in mobile apps like ForeFlight. The post ForeFlight adds wake turbulence alerts first appeared on iPad Pilot News.

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Turbulence Runway Airplanes AGL 98

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024

In reality it’s neither, but the bigger problem is that most pilots don’t even know what it means. And since 95% of airports in the US are nontowered, most pilots will use some type of pattern entry every time they fly. What is the teardrop? Is the boom in teardrop entries all ForeFlight’s fault?

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Crosswind Airplanes Runway Approach 98

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

Plane and Pilot

FEBRUARY 14, 2025

Like most pilots, I am alert to aircraft accidents that make the news. And Im particularly ears up when an accident involves an airplane or an airport that Im familiar with. Once the airplane had departed the runway environment, and was about 100 feet agl, he realized its left door was open and up.

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Runway Airplanes AGL Pilot 84

Air Facts

MARCH 28, 2025

Buffalo Hunting With Airplanes Air Facts Journal This is not a Wild West story involving Buffalo Bill. Those puffs were airbursts containing shell fragments that could cripple an airplane, or worse, wound or kill the crew. Seeing the airbursts around my Bronco, one of the F-4 pilots hollered, FAC, youre getting hosed!

Airplanes 52

Airplanes AGL NOTAMs Approach 52

Flying Magazine

MAY 15, 2024

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.

Crosswind 105

Crosswind Airplanes VOR Runway 105

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).

Approach 97

Approach AGL Descent Runway 97

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

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.

Approach 105

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 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.

Turbulence 97

Turbulence Weather Knot Descent 97

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 28, 2025

Pilots and ATCs daily use transponder codes, also known as squawk codes. Above 10,000 feet MSL , excluding areas at and below 2,500 feet AGL. You and other pilots can share real-time position data even when ATC isnt involved. The post Transponder Codes Made Easy: A Pilots Survival List appeared first on Pilot Institute.

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Transponder Air Traffic Control Visual Flight Rules True Airspeed 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 55

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 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.

AGL 52

AGL Indicated Airspeed Clearance Transponder 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 98

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.

Airspace Classes 52

Airspace Classes AGL VOR Weather 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.

Instrument Meteorological Conditions 52

Instrument Meteorological Conditions Weather Airplanes Pilot 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?

Pilot 52

Pilot Runway Air Traffic Control Approach 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 83

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

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.

Approach 52

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.

Rudder 52

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.

Checkride 52

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

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 98

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.

Drag 52

Drag Descent AGL Runway 52

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.

Lift 52

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

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