Pilot Institute

JANUARY 24, 2025

Special VFR is a clearance issued by Air Traffic Control (ATC) that allows pilots to operate in weather conditions below the standard VFR minimums. Lets take a look at special VFR clearances in detail so that you can make an informed decision about using them in the future. What Is Special VFR?

Clearance 52

Clearance Pilot in Command Ceiling Weather 52

Air Facts

FEBRUARY 10, 2025

Thats especially true for instrument pilots, where Air Traffic Control sounds like they are running the show, the avionics seem to direct the flight along predefined routes, and the autopilot actually flies the airplane. These categories apply whether youre flying a Cub on a summer evening or a business jet on an RNAV approach.

Pilot in Command 95

Pilot in Command Pilot Approach Airplanes 95

One Mile at a Time

JULY 20, 2024

We can now add yet another near catastrophe to the list, and this might just be the scariest one we’ve seen so far… Southwest 737 MAX has near disaster on approach to Tampa This incident happened on Sunday, July 14, 2024, and involves Southwest Airlines flight WN425 , scheduled to fly from Columbus (CMH) to Tampa (TPA).

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Air Traffic Control Altimeter Runway Weather 141

Aerotime

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

At this point, the pilots will contact ATC for push and start clearance , allowing the plane to be pushed back from its parking position (if applicable, depending on the airport) and to start its engines in sequence. One of the first items on before taxi checklists is to set the take-off flaps well before the aircraft approaches the runway.

Cabin Crew 269

Cabin Crew Runway Clearance Knot 269

Flight Training Central

MAY 28, 2024

But as the destination traffic pattern approaches, workload increases dramatically. A firm understanding of the proper terminal area procedures is essential for staying safe as you depart or approach the airport. a long straight in final approach to the active runway. Safe obstruction clearance in the approach area.

Crosswind 98

Crosswind Runway Clearance Air Traffic Control 98

Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 12, 2024

Talking to air traffic control (ATC) while flying IFR is challenging in the beginning, but with time and practice, you can master it! Use the CRAFT acronym to note down departure clearances quickly. You cant rely on visual cues to avoid other traffic – or even navigate accurately. What are your intentions?

Approach 52

Approach Clearance Pilot Air Traffic Control 52

Flight Training Central

OCTOBER 28, 2024

The Terminal Arrival Area (TAA) approach is designed to provide a transition from the IFR enroute segment to the approach environment with little required interaction between the pilot and air traffic control (ATC). Some areas of the Basic T may be eliminated, while other areas are expanded.

Approach 52

Approach Clearance Air Traffic Control Final Approach 52

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 23, 2024

For an instrument pilot, though, there is one key difference between a smaller, non-towered airport and a larger one with an air traffic control tower: obtaining an IFR clearance. Call for your IFR clearance, including route, altitude, and transponder code. Call on the phone In ancient times (i.e.,

Clearance 52

Clearance Air Traffic Control Airplanes Transponder 52

Pilot Institute

MARCH 6, 2025

FAA Federal Aviation Administration The FAA is the US federal government agency in charge of aviation standards, air traffic control, airspace safety, and the certification of personnel and aircraft. In contrast to a control tower, an FSS is not responsible for giving instructions or clearances to aircraft.

Pilot 52

Pilot Weather Air Traffic Control NOTAMs 52

Northstar VFR

MAY 9, 2024

It was for me, especially when I had to fly to a towered field and talk to Air Traffic Control (ATC). We had to quickly learn the cadence of communicating with Clearance Delivery, Ground, Tower, Approach and Departure controllers. Air traffic controllers are generally very patient with student pilots.

Pilot 81

Pilot Air Traffic Control Aeronautical Information Manual Clearance 81

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

In a TRSA, air traffic controllers offer two main services: radar traffic advisories and sequencing. Radar traffic advisories are a type of safety alert. If you choose to use these services, youll need to establish communication with the appropriate ATC facility, usually Approach Control.

Visual Flight Rules 52

Visual Flight Rules Instrument Flight Rules Pilot Air Traffic Control 52

AV Web

FEBRUARY 12, 2025

The Unicorn Clearance It was a quiet morningthe pondering kind. Im controlling the airspace southeast of KSEA and its a Cleared direct destination kind of day. And there it is, the unicorn, the never-used clearance. I can count on one hand, with half my fingers, rounded down, how many times Ive issued this clearance.

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VFR On Top Clearance Approach Weather 58

Plane and Pilot

JULY 3, 2024

Setting up for an approach, taxiing at a busy airfield with complicated diagrams, during the actual takeoff and landing, or receiving an updated weather briefing in flight are a few examples of this. Traffic information systems in our panels—or fed to our EFB—help us predict other traffic that may be nearby through awareness of its position.

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Pilot Weather Approach Air Traffic Control 96

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 29, 2024

When used strategically you can use this information to gain additional insight into what’s going on in the airspace around you and make more informed decisions on each flight, giving you an edge when dealing with air traffic control. Call the controller or a flight service specialist. Where is the traffic?

Clearance 52

Clearance Weather Approach Runway 52

Ask Captain Lim

AUGUST 18, 2024

The DC-8 captain, flying a non-precision approach in bad weather, descended below the decision height of 750 feet and crashed into a hillside. The cause was a miscommunication between the crew and air traffic control. These examples demonstrate the value of air crash investigations.

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Air Traffic Control Weather Clearance Cockpit 59

Pilot's Life Blog

JULY 10, 2024

Among these tech tools are Air Traffic Controllers who provide ATC clearance as the pilot approaches the landing area. A runway holding position may have solid double lines that indicate the plane must hold short, meaning it cannot move into the runway after aircraft taxiing unless it has received ATC clearance.

Runway 52

Runway Clearance Air Traffic Control Pilot 52

Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 6, 2024

CRAFT is a simple way pilots remember their IFR clearance. It helps break down the instructions from air traffic control into clear, easy-to-follow steps. Key Takeaways Use the acronym CRAFT as a helpful guide to break down your IFR clearance. Heres a better way to keep track of your clearances.

Clearance 52

Clearance Pilot Transponder Flight Plan 52

Aerotime

APRIL 2, 2025

On November 25, 2024, a Swiftair Boeing 737-400 tragically crashed during its approach to Vilnius Airport (VNO) in the early hours of the morning. Moreover, the situation was worsened by communication issues between the crew and air traffic control. At 03:26:15, the aircraft entered the final approach phase.

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Cargo Air Traffic Control Final Approach Descent 282

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. youll need to master the basics of situational awareness, traffic patterns, and CTAF communication can make non-towered operations not only manageable but smooth and predictable.

Pilot 52

Pilot Runway Air Traffic Control Approach 52

Pilot Institute

SEPTEMBER 26, 2024

Before entering Class C airspace, pilots must receive clearance from Air Traffic Control (ATC). When approaching Class C airspace: Tune in to the appropriate frequency for the Class C airspace region, found in the Airport/Facility Directory or on sectional charts. Here’s what you need to know.

Clearance 52

Clearance Transponder Knot Indicated Airspeed 52

Photographic Logbook

APRIL 19, 2024

I expected minimal IMC time and the need for an approach appeared beyond remote. Even though I was likely to be cleared through the outer ring by ATC (air traffic control) while on an instrument flight plan, I filed a route from Sodus to the Williamsport VOR (FQM) that circumvented the TFR entirely. Famous last words.)

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Approach Wind Shear Runway VOR 69

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 15, 2024

At that point, you proceed on course as directed by air traffic control. The tricky part is that you are expected to proceed on course after reaching 5,000′ MSL, so technically, this is sort of your “expect further clearance” information. Both are good exercises to practice in the simulator.

Aeronautical Information Manual 52

Aeronautical Information Manual VOR Approach Air Traffic Control 52

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 2, 2024

You don’t need to check in with air traffic control (ATC) when flying VFR in Class E. It helps separate traffic at different altitudes. Class E is always in the background, making sure both VFR and IFR traffic can coexist in safety. No ATC clearance is required for VFR flights below 10,000 feet.

Airspace Classes 52

Airspace Classes AGL VOR Weather 52

Photographic Logbook

JULY 9, 2024

Exactly like NYC, downtown Boston is encircled by restrictive Class Bravo airspace down to the surface that requires explicit clearance to enter. I requested flight following to Boston for a city tour from Beverly Ground and we were handed off to Boston Approach shortly after getting airborne. I was a little nervous.

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Clearance Runway Approach Stability 52

Aerotime

MARCH 20, 2025

As the aircraft approached Nome, air traffic controllers informed the pilot of flight 445 that Nomes runway was being de-iced and was temporarily closed, and that flight 445 could expect a 10 to 15 minute delay in landing clearance to be given. At about 15:15, the airplane leveled at 6,000 ft.

Knot 286

Knot Air Traffic Control Gross Weight Airplanes 286

Photographic Logbook

OCTOBER 10, 2023

When both plans were filed, he asked me to stand-by while he verified that the flight plan was properly pushed to Cleveland Center where Rochester Approach would be able to retrieve it. When I contacted Rochester Approach, the controller came back with, "Are you looking for your clearance to College Park?"

Transponder 52

Transponder Approach Clearance General Aviation 52

Airspeed Junkie

AUGUST 1, 2024

Daily responsibilities include pre-flight checks, weather analysis, creating and filing flight plans, coordination with ground crews and air traffic controllers, and continuous in-flight monitoring and communication. They also complete necessary documentation and reports, ensuring all operational details are accurately recorded.

Pilot 52

Pilot Air Traffic Control Cargo Weather 52

Pilot Institute

AUGUST 9, 2024

Air Traffic Control (ATC) uses these procedures to delay aircraft. The hold has to be performed within this area to ensure obstacle and traffic clearance. Time to expect further clearance. The pilot will fly a specific entry based on the sector from which they approach the holding fix.

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VOR Pilot Crosswind Approach 52

Professional Pilot

APRIL 10, 2024

Pilatus PC-12 Captain Air Pirate Aviation Goodyear AZ J AX (Intl, Jacksonville FL) Center always seems a problem with unreasonable long EDCT (Expect Departure Clearance Time). Citation CJ3+/CJ2+/CJ2 Dir of Ops Burgess Aircraft Mgmt Springfield MO I think more controllers are needed. Tommy Jernejcic ATP/CFII. Andrew Maroney ATP.

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Clearance Pilot Weather Approach 40

Photographic Logbook

JULY 6, 2024

I think this because whenever multiple aircraft depart Sodus bound for the same destination, we almost always pique the curiosity of air traffic control. It is an old school approach and feels like a throwback to my earlier flying days. While this seems obvious to me, the notion seems rare in aviation. Jerry and Ed.

Pilot 52

Pilot Flight Plan Air Traffic Control General Aviation 52

Universal Weather

APRIL 8, 2024

Heli Transfers In an innovative approach to transportation, Universal Aviation France is collaborating with a helicopter service to offer quick transfers from downtown Paris to LFAQ, providing a seamless connection for international departures with on-site customs clearance. No potable water supply. 24-hour service.

Runway 52

Runway Fixed Base Operator UTC Clearance 52

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 5, 2024

The flight plan informs the Air Traffic Control (ATC) of your planned course, aircraft capability, and contingency plan. Your alternate airport must have a working instrument approach procedure available. At least 1 instrument approach procedure. Within the Past 6 Months, You Must Log: 6 instrument approaches.

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Flight Plan Pilot Weather Approach 52

Aerotime

MARCH 26, 2025

As explained in the subsequent Spanish investigation report, once refueled the KLM flight was told by air traffic control (ATC) to taxi down the main runway to the approach end where it should proceed to backtrack. The KLM crew contacted the control tower, confirming they were ready and waiting for ATC clearance.

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Clearance Runway Weather Pilot 294

Airspeed Junkie

NOVEMBER 9, 2024

By replacing letters with distinct words like ‘Alpha’ for ‘A’ and ‘Bravo’ for ‘B,’ it ensures clear communication between pilots and air traffic controllers. This clarity is vital not only for pilots and air traffic controllers but also for ground staff, who rely on accurate communication to perform their duties safely.

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Air Traffic Control Pilot Tail Cockpit 52

One Mile at a Time

OCTOBER 8, 2024

The strangest part of that interaction is how the Delta A350 pilot’s defense is that they were taxiing on the centerline, and had been given clearance to go in that direction, as if they did nothing wrong. Right, but when you’re given taxi clearance, that doesn’t mean you can just smash through other planes.

Tail 122

Tail Jet Clearance Runway 122

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

Photographic Logbook

JULY 21, 2024

I think he was anxious about the air traffic control communications, but he planned to follow me in trail so that he could see how the radio work went. It was also a convenient location north of the Skyline Route where we could pick up flight following with New York Approach, thus streamlining entry into the procedure.

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Weight-Shift-Control Clearance Approach Airplanes 88