Air Facts

APRIL 29, 2024

I requested a descent from 6,000’ down to 4,000’ and was denied due to traffic. I was soon cleared to descend to 4,000’ and entered IMC during the descent while I located the approach chart to brief. I began a rapid descent from 3,000’ down to the 2,000’ for the IAF. We’re now following a Saratoga. The IAF was looming closer.

Descent 71

Descent Approach Weather Runway 71

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 21, 2024

You’re skimming the cloud tops at 3500 feet, which is 2900 feet AGL You ask Approach for lower, but the controller says you’re already at the MVA for the area so you can’t get lower. Approval for a contact approach lets you make a legal, visual descent to land without fuss and while retaining your IFR status. Be patient.

Approach 52

Approach Pilot Clearance Descent 52

Chess In the Air

JUNE 24, 2022

He only needed a glide ratio of 14:1 to reach the airfield to arrive at a typical pattern altitude of 1,000 ft AGL. At this point he still had an altitude of 8,275 ft MSL, i.e. 2,739 ft AGL. At this point he was just NW of the runway at an altitude of 8000 ft MSL (2464 AGL). After all, a pattern entry altitude of approx.

Pilot 52

Pilot AGL Wind Shear Runway 52

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 6, 2024

Even though synthetic vision might help me perform an emergency descent to a valley that might not be cloud filled, that’s pretty sketchy as a risk-mitigation strategy. But if I was going VFR over strange territory, I would want lots more than 1,000 feet agl. The two considerations are turbulence and headwinds.

Airplanes 87

Airplanes Weather Ceiling Turbulence 87

Pilot Institute

MARCH 29, 2024

Fly at least 1,500 above ground level (AGL) to allow room for recovery in case you stall the aircraft. For a greater margin of safety, select an altitude that leaves you 1,500 feet AGL after recovery from a stall. Higher altitudes are also less prone to turbulence and have fewer birds. Target Altitude Pick a safe altitude.

Lift 52

Lift Rudder Drag AGL 52