Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024

Before you write this off as some academic debate, remember that most mid-air collisions happen during the day, in good weather, in or near the traffic pattern. 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.”

Crosswind 98

Crosswind Airplanes Runway AGL 98

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 5, 2024

In aviation, staying ahead of the weather is a must. When weather conditions shift unexpectedly, that’s when a SPECI report comes in. A SPECI (or Special Report) offers a quick weather update between the routine METARs. Let’s explore how SPECIs are going to help you plan around unexpected weather twists.

Altimeter 52

Altimeter Weather Wind Shear Runway 52

Learn to Fly

MARCH 12, 2024

These “aviation routine weather reports” provide pilots with an accurate depiction of current weather conditions at an airport. Different sources will tell you this comes from METeorological Aerodrome Report, Meteorological Terminal Aviation Routine Weather Report, Meteorological Terminal Air Report, or Meteorological Airfield Report.

Weather 40

Weather Knot UTC Ceiling 40

Flying Magazine

APRIL 30, 2024

We flew in pursuit of good weather and photo backdrops not browned by the seasons, and headed south—nearly straight south—from Maryland to Florida by way of Hilton Head, South Carolina. But the engineering behind the G7 didn’t wring a few more knots from the carbon fiber airframe by tweaking fairings or FIKI panels.

Pilot 111

Pilot Airplanes Approach Jet 111

Pilot Institute

SEPTEMBER 26, 2024

Class C airports’ speed limits require aircraft within 4 Nautical Miles (NM) of the primary airport and below 2500 feet to maintain an Indicated Airspeed (IAS) of 200 knots or less. Maintain a maximum airspeed of 200 knots when within 4 NM of the airport and below 2500 feet. Altitude and intentions (e.g., landing or transition).

Clearance 52

Clearance Transponder Knot Indicated Airspeed 52

Chess In the Air

JULY 4, 2022

I have tried to wait out a storm only to watch a bigger and badder one to move in and the overall weather situation getting worse. We should make more pro-active use of our radios to warn other aviators of threatening weather. They are also not limited to summer soaring weather. Are dry microbursts really invisible?

Wind Shear 52

Wind Shear AGL Lift Runway 52

Pilot Institute

MAY 4, 2024

Weather, field conditions, obstacles, and many other elements greatly affect short field operations. In the Cessna 172S Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH), the landing distance decreases by 10% for every 9 knots of headwind. For the Cessna 172, landing distance increases by 10% for every 2 knots of tailwind.

Weight-Shift-Control 52

Weight-Shift-Control Runway Approach Density Altitude 52

Pilot Institute

APRIL 24, 2024

From entry and weather requirements to interacting with ATC, we have you covered. Weather Requirements We find the VFR weather requirements in 14 CFR § 91.155. Class B airspace can afford looser weather requirements because ATC tracks traffic closely. This article makes Class B airspace easy to understand. Airport, CA.

Clearance 52

Clearance Ceiling Airspace Classes Transponder 52

Universal Weather

JANUARY 24, 2025

or greater and/or max cruising true airspeed (TAS) greater than 250 knots (kts). Aircraft manufactured on or after 01-JAN-2020 and has an MTOW exceeding 12,566 lbs (5,700 kgs) or having a maximum cruising true airspeed (TAS) greater than 250 knots must have ADS-B (Out) 1090 MHz applicable to RTCA DO-260B.

True Airspeed 59

True Airspeed Instrument Flight Rules Knot Air Traffic Control 59

Air Facts

MARCH 28, 2025

After checking the NOTAMS, the weather, and filing my flight plan, I stepped into the Intel Shop for my pre-mission briefing. It was a very close-up shot as the drone came in low and fast (500-1000 feet AGL at 500+ knots); the crew had no time to react, except to look up. The PDJ was a strategically significant region.

Airplanes 52

Airplanes AGL NOTAMs Approach 52

Pilot Institute

MARCH 26, 2024

If you’re at a field with no weather reporting, gauge the wind speed and direction using the windsock. If you’re not stabilized at 200 feet AGL, go around. On a normal landing, you’d pull the power over the threshold, begin your roundout, and flare around 10 feet AGL. The process is different for a soft field landing.

NOTAMs 52

NOTAMs Runway Approach Descent 52

Universal Weather

APRIL 9, 2024

or greater and/or max cruising true airspeed (TAS) greater than 250 knots (kts). Aircraft manufactured on or after 01-JAN-2020 and has an MTOW exceeding 12,566 lbs (5,700 kgs) or having a maximum cruising true airspeed (TAS) greater than 250 knots must have ADS-B (Out) 1090 MHz applicable to RTCA DO-260B.

True Airspeed 52

True Airspeed Instrument Flight Rules Knot Air Traffic Control 52

Flying Magazine

MAY 1, 2024

Answer: When looking at the surface analysis chart issued every three hours by meteorologists at the Weather Prediction Center (WPC), you may have seen a tan dashed line with a label “OUTFLOW BNDRY” nearby. Crescent-shaped convective outflow boundary as detected on NEXRAD Doppler weather radar.

Wind Shear 114

Wind Shear Weather Turbulence Knot 114

Chess In the Air

JUNE 24, 2022

He frequently hosted visiting pilots, providing them with detailed briefings of the area and the weather. The CAPE index, a measure of convective energy and instability, was below 100 joules, indicating a very low probability of severe weather or thunderstorms. At this point he still had an altitude of 8,275 ft MSL, i.e. 2,739 ft AGL.

Pilot 52

Pilot AGL Wind Shear Runway 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. I was to be the first to fly it since the checkup.

Runway 74

Runway Threshold Approach AGL 74

Pilot Institute

JUNE 26, 2024

Weather Go-arounds due to weather occur due to wind shear caused by gusting winds or microbursts. The aircraft was 44 knots higher than its target landing speed, which resulted in a runway overrun. In IFR, retract flaps at the appropriate speed above 400ft AGL. Many passengers were injured.

Wind Shear 52

Wind Shear Runway Approach Aeronautical Decision-Making 52

Pilot Institute

JANUARY 1, 2025

Part of these standards is understanding how weather conditions can affect the flight performance of their drones. 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. METAR vs TAF: Whats the Difference?

Turbulence 98

Turbulence AGL Weather UTC 98