Pilot Institute

MARCH 6, 2025

AGL Above Ground Level AGL is simply a way to tell the basis from which any given height or altitude is measured. Simply put, 400 feet AGL means that the 400 feet is measured from the underlying ground surface above the specific airspace. This is as opposed to other altitude measurements, such as AMSL or above mean sea level.

Pilot 52

Pilot Weather Air Traffic Control NOTAMs 52

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 15, 2025

On approach charts, youll usually see both the decision height (DH) and the decision altitude (DA). Theyre pretty much the same thing, but heres the difference: DH is measured above the ground (AGL). The image at the beginning of this section is an example of an RNAV approach plate for Monterey Regional, California.

Approach 52

Approach Pilot Descent Airplanes 52

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024

Again, the AFH has some good advice: “if large or turbine aircraft operate at the airport, it is best to remain 2,000 feet AGL so as not to conflict with their traffic pattern.” That can put a fast-moving Citation at the same altitude as the trainer that’s crossing over midfield to set up for the 45.

Crosswind 98

Crosswind Airplanes Runway AGL 98

Ask Captain Lim

FEBRUARY 19, 2025

However, during final approach, we were instructed to switch to Runway 22L, a shorter runway typically used for departures. TCAS is primarily designed to prevent mid-air collisions at higher altitudes, typically above 1,000 feet AGL (above ground level).

Pilot 59

Pilot Runway Air Traffic Control AGL 59

Flight Training Central

DECEMBER 4, 2023

The final approach speed for a soft field approach and landing should be the same as is used for a short field technique to minimuze float once you enter ground effect. If gusty conditions are present, increase final approach airspeed by one half the gust factor.

Approach 52

Approach Ground Effect Final Approach Airplanes 52

Fear of Landing

APRIL 19, 2024

At approximately 30-40 feet agl, the spinning stopped and the helicopter appeared to stabilize for a brief moment before continuing a nose-low, forward descent into the grass north of Runway 28. When it stopped climbing, the helicopter maneuvered erratically drifting towards the north and descending. As it descended it spun around 2-3 times.

Torque 98

Torque Indicated Airspeed Tail Knot 98

Air Facts

APRIL 24, 2024

Then, finally, after several of these episodes, and “staying with it,” we achieved short final, with our airport now filling our windshield. Then, descending through just a few hundred feet AGL, and a few hundred yards from the end of the runway, the turbulence diminished. We had no idea how this was going to end.

Turbulence 52

Turbulence Wind Shear Final Approach Ceiling 52

Chess In the Air

JULY 4, 2022

In certain conditions blowing dust (a “ haboob “) can make an approaching front easily visible. Imagine being on final approach right when a small-scale thermal breaks off the ground that can even send a 300 pound porta-potty flying high into the air. (Btw Btw – notice the blue sky in the video.)

Wind Shear 52

Wind Shear AGL Runway Lift 52

Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 19, 2024

Final approach: This is the straight path leading to your landing. Pattern altitudes are typically 1,000 feet above ground level (AGL) for piston aircraft. Crosswind leg: You turn 90 degrees to the upwind leg, flying perpendicular to the runway. Downwind leg: You fly parallel to the runway in the opposite direction of landing.

Pilot 52

Pilot Runway Air Traffic Control Approach 52

Professional Pilot

AUGUST 8, 2024

Challenger 604, G-IV Contributing Writer Pilatus PC-12 on approach at ORL. Air traffic control instructions often lead to unstable approaches. 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.

Approach 105

Approach Descent Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) Runway 105

Air Facts

APRIL 29, 2024

” As I broke out of the clouds on the final approach course, I flew about 1.5 I immediately leveled off at around 650’ AGL, and began slowing down. The approach end of runway 24 came into view, followed by the rest of the airport as we entered the left downwind to runway 6. The little voice agreed.

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Descent Approach Weather AGL 98

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

SEPTEMBER 2, 2024

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. It dawned on me what probably happened on my final approach. That would cut my option of using the engine to get to a place to land. Looking forward and to each side, I saw nothing but trees—no clearings, nothing.

Runway 67

Runway Threshold Approach AGL 67

Pilot Institute

JUNE 26, 2024

A go-around is a maneuver performed to abort or reject a landing on the final approach or once the aircraft has already touched down. A common situation is if an aircraft is on final approach, and another holding on the runway cannot take off in time. In IFR, retract flaps at the appropriate speed above 400ft AGL.

Wind Shear 52

Wind Shear Runway Approach Aeronautical Decision-Making 52

AV Web

DECEMBER 11, 2024

But if you have enough altitude, you have the energy and flexibility to plan and execute a traffic pattern that puts you on final approach in a position from which to land. Youll have to turn away from the runwaybrieflyto get some distance and perspective for your approach.

Runway 52

Runway Airplanes Approach Drag 52