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

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

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 90

Airplanes Weather Ceiling Turbulence 90

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 17, 2024

Pilots are able to discontinue reporting compulsory points when informed by ATC that the aircraft is in “radar contact.” In the timeline below, the pilot will lose instrument currency on September 1st due to the previous six calendar months including four approaches rather than the needed six.

Instrument Flight Rules 52

Instrument Flight Rules AGL Ceiling True Airspeed 52

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 1, 2024

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. Execute the diversion.

Weather 76

Weather Ceiling Approach Clearance 76

Air Facts

APRIL 29, 2024

KCPC was reporting IFR conditions with a 700’ ceiling and one mile visibility. I queried ATC about when to expect the approach clearance and was informed that the Saratoga had appeared to land but the pilot hadn’t contacted ATC to close his IFR flight plan. I immediately leveled off at around 650’ AGL, and began slowing down.

Descent 98

Descent Approach Weather AGL 98

Flight Training Central

JULY 1, 2024

Since Class “E” airspace is basically “everywhere”, most of the focus is placed on identifying the ceiling and floor of the airspace. Class E airspace rarely goes all the way to the surface, and in non-mountainous terrain, the floor of Class E airspace is typically 700 feet or 1,200 feet AGL.

AGL 52

AGL Clearance Ceiling Weather 52

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 27, 2024

As a relatively new pilot , I had failed to see the bigger picture. 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. That day was different. We didn’t test it.

Turbulence 95

Turbulence Weather Knot Descent 95

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 25, 2025

Weather reporting at the destination isnt required so long as some reliable source says theres at least 1000-foot ceilings and three miles visibly. The pilot can ask for the visual, or ATC can assign it. However, the pilot must have the airport, or the preceding aircraft, in sight. It cant be assigned; the pilot must request it.

Approach 52

Approach Pilot Clearance 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

iPad Pilot News

JUNE 14, 2024

FAA Updates Datalink Weather Advisory Circular iPad Pilot News The rollout of ADS-B datalink weather over twelve years ago was an interesting time for GA pilots. Pilots were free to use the system immediately with these new portable receivers, which improved in-flight decision-making almost overnight.

Weather 59

Weather AGL Flight Deck Pilot 59

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 12, 2024

An instrument rated pilot, who has not logged any instrument time in 1 year or more, cannot serve as pilot in command under IFR, unless the pilot passes an instrument proficiency check followed by 6 hours and six instrument approaches, 3 of those hours in the category of aircraft involved. When operating in class E airspace.

Instrument Flight Rules 52

Instrument Flight Rules Ceiling Descent Approach 52

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.

Pilot 111

Pilot Airplanes Approach Jet 111

Flying Magazine

MAY 15, 2024

You’re not supposed to feel it like you do the aircraft, but this can make you a better pilot as you will develop instrument scan and interpretation skills. READ MORE: Our Pilots of the Future May Share Sim Stories Partial power loss scenarios—especially at low altitude—are very useful. It’s an ATD. It’s just a few minutes, right?

Crosswind 105

Crosswind Airplanes VOR Runway 105

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. Ceiling 600 feet and visibility 2 statute miles. (B) Ceiling 800 feet and visibility 2 statute miles. (2)

Instrument Meteorological Conditions 52

Instrument Meteorological Conditions Ceiling Approach 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. Approaching their destination, the pilot asked Memphis Center ATC for an airport weather report. The pilot S-turned and circled the area several times at about 2,500 feet.

Instrument Meteorological Conditions 54

Instrument Meteorological Conditions Weather Airplanes Pilot 54

Photographic Logbook

FEBRUARY 4, 2024

Stir Crazy In aviation safety circles, a mental condition colloquially known as "get-there-itis" characterizes a pilot so mission focused, so determined to reach a destination, that they make unsafe decisions. More often than not, winter flying in Upstate New York is contingent on the ceiling.

Ceiling 52

Ceiling Approach Pilot Weather 52

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 1, 2024

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. Execute the diversion.

Weather 52

Weather Ceiling Approach Clearance 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. Approaching their destination, the pilot asked Memphis Center ATC for an airport weather report. The pilot S-turned and circled the area several times at about 2,500 feet.

Instrument Meteorological Conditions 52

Instrument Meteorological Conditions Weather Airplanes Pilot 52

Pilot Institute

APRIL 24, 2024

Pilots must meet equipment and certification requirements and have ATC clearance to enter. This central core extends up to around 10,000 feet MSL, the airspace’s ceiling. However, the ceiling for each shelf is the same as the core. Although Class B airspace has a typical ceiling of 10,000 feet MSL, exceptions exist.

Clearance 52

Clearance Ceiling Airspace Classes Transponder 52

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 5, 2024

Cloud ceilings below 1,500 feet or cumulonimbus clouds can trigger a SPECI. Tornadoes, funnel clouds, volcanic ash, or dust storms are extremely dangerous to all pilots. This information is vital for determining cloud ceilings, especially during landing approaches. As a pilot, you should pay close attention to this section.

Altimeter 52

Altimeter Weather Wind Shear Runway 52

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 25, 2025

Weather reporting at the destination isnt required so long as some reliable source says theres at least 1000-foot ceilings and three miles visibly. The pilot can ask for the visual, or ATC can assign it. However, the pilot must have the airport, or the preceding aircraft, in sight. It cant be assigned; the pilot must request it.

Approach 52

Approach Clearance Runway Ceiling 52

Flight Training Central

OCTOBER 25, 2024

As a Part 107 drone pilot (commercial operator), or as a recreational drone flyer, operations in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace are allowed without air traffic control permission. In these LAANC enabled areas, authorizations are provided to drone pilots through companies approved by the FAA.

Air Traffic Control 52

Air Traffic Control Flight Plan AGL Pilot in Command 52

Air Facts

APRIL 24, 2024

Dad, a seasoned VFR pilot, was at the controls. I, a 19 year old greenhorn with a brand new pilot’s license in my wallet, sat at his right. We had light winds, good visibility, full cloud cover, and ample ceiling heights. What was changing, however, wasn’t the visibility, or ceiling heights, or wind—at least not perceivably.

Turbulence 52

Turbulence Wind Shear Final Approach Ceiling 52

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 2, 2024

I checked the weather by phone and was assured it would be great CAVU (ceiling and visibility unlimited) with 2-3-knot winds from 090 degrees. With nothing to lose, at a little over 1,000 feet agl, I started a turn to the left, looking for a place to land. The post Where There’s Smoke… appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

Runway 67

Runway Threshold Approach AGL 67

Learn to Fly

MARCH 12, 2024

Some of the most important jargon you’ll learn as a pilot has to be how to read a METAR. These “aviation routine weather reports” provide pilots with an accurate depiction of current weather conditions at an airport. RVR is the distance a pilot can see down the runway in a moving aircraft. Visibility is ¾ statute mile.

Weather 40

Weather Knot UTC Ceiling 40

Pilot Institute

JANUARY 1, 2025

With the rise in the prevalence of drone flight, drone pilots are now at a stage where they are expected to operate within long-established aviation standards. To this end, drone pilots are expected to understand weather forecasts in the form of METAR and TAF reports. Key Takeaways METAR and TAF provide vital weather info for pilots.

Turbulence 98

Turbulence AGL Weather UTC 98