Pilot Institute

MARCH 6, 2025

Drones have their own language, and its filled with abbreviations and acronyms that can be overwhelming for new drone pilots. Common Drone Acronyms and What They Mean Lets start off with the most basic acronyms that even beginner drone pilots should know. The effect is that the pilot feels like they are flying while inside the drone.

Pilot 52

Pilot Weather Air Traffic Control NOTAMs 52

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 16, 2024

The terrain reaches well over 4,000 feet agl, so a good vertical rise is seen. It is reminiscent of Montana, where I have been often in real life on flying trips, and while there aren’t towering mountains like the Tetons, it is dangerous enough for foolhardy pilots indeed. The density of the forest was incredible.

AGL 97

AGL Pilot Descent Weather 97

Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 27, 2024

Lets break it all downwhat transponders are, how theyre used, and the rules pilots need to follow. The code is manually set by the pilot using a selector switch in the cockpit. Above 10,000 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL), excluding airspace below 2,500 feet Above Ground Level (AGL). Modes: A (ID), C (altitude), S (enhanced data).

Transponder 98

Transponder Air Traffic Control Pilot Airspace Classes 98

Flight Training Central

MARCH 10, 2025

To warn pilots of a high volume of pilot training or other unusual aerial activity. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) may be issued for: Areas around major sporting events below 3,000 AGL and within 3 nautical miles. Pilots flying within __ NM of the Washington D.C. At least a commercial pilot certificate.

Visual Flight Rules 92

Visual Flight Rules Transponder Instrument Flight Rules Ceiling 92

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

Aerotime

MARCH 21, 2025

Around 13 seconds before touchdown as the aircraft was descending through 153 feet above ground level (AGL) the TSB said the CRJ900s indicated airspeed increased to 154 knots whereas the ground speed did not change appreciably, consistent with a performance-increasing wind gust. The crew and the passengers immediately began evacuating.

Indicated Airspeed 244

Indicated Airspeed Descent Knot Horizontal Stabilizer 244

Air Facts

FEBRUARY 28, 2025

I Am UNSAFE ChecklistLessons Learned on a Fateful Night Air Facts Journal You get experience by making mistakes and surviving, and then, as a result, become a safer more confident pilot. The ATIS called out the overcast at 800 AGL, the minimum I needed (mistake #5not mine, but it counted anyway.)

Ceiling 90

Ceiling Weather AGL Approach 90

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.

AGL 52

AGL Descent Runway Pilot 52

Northstar VFR

MARCH 30, 2025

Turns Around a Point This is a classic maneuver that helps pilots learn how to maintain a constant radius around a point on the ground while compensating for the wind. Make sure you're at the recommended altitude (600-1,000 feet AGL) per ACS guidelines. Maintain 600-1,000 feet AGL. Maintain 600-1,000 feet AGL.

Groundspeed 52

Groundspeed AGL Crosswind Rudder 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.

AGL 57

AGL Pilot General Aviation Cockpit 57

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.

Pilot 105

Pilot Weather Flight Plan Approach 105

Flight Training Central

AUGUST 12, 2024

An aviation VFR Sectional chart is chock-full of visual reference information that is important for every pilot. 1,533 feet AGL. Class E airspace - 1,200 feet AGL up to but not including 18,000 feet MSL. Do you know these charts front and back, or will that data overload leave you short on answers? 1,548 feet MSL. 19 feet MSL.

AGL 105

AGL NOTAMs Runway Flight Plan 105

AV Web

JANUARY 13, 2025

Canada’s Transportation Safety Board says pilots who routinely wear parachutes should also regularly skydive. This investigation didn’t contain findings or recommendations but the evidence presented suggested the pilot, who had never jumped out of an aircraft before, didn’t succeed in operating the parachute.

AGL 98

AGL Lift Pilot 98

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 2, 2024

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. Because showing sound judgment and preparation is part of what makes a good pilot. The post Power-off Stall: Recovery Steps Made Easy appeared first on Pilot Institute.

Descent 52

Descent Approach AGL Lift 52

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. When was the last time either pilot (single pilot) performed this exact approach?

Approach 97

Approach AGL Descent Runway 97

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 14, 2024

Before August 2016, drone pilots had the freedom to fly in a significant portion of controlled and uncontrolled airspace with few restrictions. Whether you want to fly a drone for fun or as a commercial pilot , you must understand and follow these rules. Here are some of the basics to get you started.

Pilot 58

Pilot AGL Operating Limitations Airspace Classes 58

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.

Turbulence 98

Turbulence Runway AGL Airplanes 98

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

Ask Captain Lim

FEBRUARY 19, 2025

Black Hawk on collision patch with CRJ 700 Could pilots of Flight5342have done anything differently to avoid the DC planecrash? This question from Quora explores whether the pilots of American Airlines Flight 5342 could have taken different actions to avoid the tragic collision.

Pilot 59

Pilot Runway Air Traffic Control AGL 59

Flight Training Central

APRIL 12, 2024

If operating under visual flight rules (VFR), yes, a pilot may fly through a military operations area (MOA) without receiving a clearance or communicating with ATC; however, it’s important to understand the risks and activities present within an active MOA. How can a pilot get more information on MOAs?

Visual Flight Rules 52

Visual Flight Rules Instrument Flight Rules Pilot AGL 52

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

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. That means the techniques we use to manage the see-and-avoid process near airports matters. What is the teardrop?

Crosswind 98

Crosswind Airplanes Runway Approach 98

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.

Pilot 52

Pilot AGL Wind Shear Runway 52

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.

Transponder 52

Transponder Air Traffic Control Visual Flight Rules True Airspeed 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

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 28, 2024

For most general aviation operations, it allows a pilot to descend to as low as 200′ AGL and assist a pilot in locating the runway in as low as 3/8 mile visibility. The Instrument Landing System (ILS) is a precision approach and provides both lateral and vertical guidance to a runway.

Approach 52

Approach Instrument Landing System AGL Ceiling 52

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.

Weight-Shift-Control 114

Weight-Shift-Control Air Traffic Control Aeronautical Decision-Making Density Altitude 114

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

FEBRUARY 14, 2025

Like most pilots, I am alert to aircraft accidents that make the news. Once the airplane had departed the runway environment, and was about 100 feet agl, he realized its left door was open and up. The pilot had requested an immediate landing, which the tower controller immediately granted.

Runway 77

Runway Airplanes AGL Pilot 77

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

MAY 14, 2024

Editor’s Note: The following scenario is from the VFR Communications Manual from Pilot Workshops. In an effort to curb these runway incursions, the FAA collects reports of pilots crossing into places where they weren’t cleared and look for fixes. If other pilots missed the memo on where to stop, so might you.

Runway 52

Runway Pilot Clearance AGL 52

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 25, 2025

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. A takeaway for us pilots is that when cleared for a visual to an uncontrolled field, we tie up that airportand maybe other nearby airportsuntil we cancel IFR. In practice, it often requires more.

Approach 52

Approach Pilot Clearance Runway 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

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’re more important than you might think.

Airspace Classes 52

Airspace Classes AGL VOR Weather 52

Flight Training Central

JANUARY 10, 2025

Pilots must consider a variety of factors including terrain, weather, airspace constraints, and aircraft performance, to ensure a smooth and safe descent. To use the VCALC function, simply enter a target altitude (pattern altitude for example) and be sure the altitude type matches what you have intended (MSL vs. AGL).

Descent 98

Descent Groundspeed Flight Plan AGL 98

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