Pilot's Life Blog

DECEMBER 20, 2024

Ground school is where youll learn the theory behind flyingeverything from aerodynamics to flight regulations and weather patterns. Whether you’re planning a cross-country flight or navigating through controlled airspace, ground school will teach you how to chart a safe and efficient course.

Pilot 52

Pilot Air Traffic Control Weather Flight Plan 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. Use the Cessna 3-152 mnemonic to remember weather minimums for VFR.

Airspace Classes 52

Airspace Classes AGL VOR Weather 52

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! You cant rely on visual cues to avoid other traffic – or even navigate accurately. Or you might stray off course and into bad weather or obstacles. Radar vectors to GAYEL.

Approach 52

Approach Clearance Pilot Air Traffic Control 52

Pilot Institute

AUGUST 9, 2024

Air Traffic Control (ATC) uses these procedures to delay aircraft. This can be for spacing or other reasons, such as waiting for adverse weather conditions to pass. Most holding fixes are NAVAIDs such as VORs, RNAV (GPS) waypoints, and even ILS markers. Holding patterns are the aviation equivalent of a stop light.

VOR 52

VOR Pilot Crosswind Approach 52

Photographic Logbook

APRIL 19, 2024

This year, a promising weather forecast featuring high freezing levels (expected to be 9,000+ feet) led to a decision to fly myself. The day before departure, satisfied that days of consistent weather forecasts reasonably assured a successful flight, I cancelled the rental car reservation. Seneca and Cayuga Lakes in the gloom.

Approach 69

Approach Wind Shear Runway VOR 69

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. Proceeding into Pennsylvania, we saw obvious examples of the terrain manufacturing weather. We were cleared direct to College Park via the Westminster VOR (EMI).

Pilot 52

Pilot Flight Plan Air Traffic Control General Aviation 52

Photographic Logbook

OCTOBER 10, 2023

It was not an inspiring morning to fly out of Sodus, but I knew that the poor weather was localized to the Lake Ontario shore and that Washington DC was forecast to be sunny and significantly warmer. Just north of the Selinsgrove VOR, Harrisburg called with the first change in routing. That cannot happen in the FRZ.

Transponder 52

Transponder Approach Clearance General Aviation 52

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 8, 2024

Basics of Radio Communications With Air Traffic Control The guiding principle of ATC communications is understanding. You check the weather, get information Charlie, and then tune up tower frequency. Consider what calls might come up given the route of flight and the types of airspace and weather it might pass through.

Aeronautical Information Manual 70

Aeronautical Information Manual Runway Pilot Air Traffic Control 70

Photographic Logbook

OCTOBER 19, 2023

My filed route to Ogdensburg was via YOW (the Ottawa VOR) and IKLAX. I paid for Canadian charts to facilitate planning and navigation and I will pay a quarterly service fee to Nav Canada for air traffic control services. I have received vectors around other aircraft, airspace, and weather. I was instantly annoyed.

Approach 52

Approach Clearance Airplanes Runway 52

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 8, 2024

Basics of Radio Communications With Air Traffic Control The guiding principle of ATC communications is understanding. You check the weather, get information Charlie, and then tune up tower frequency. Consider what calls might come up given the route of flight and the types of airspace and weather it might pass through.

Aeronautical Information Manual 52

Aeronautical Information Manual Runway Pilot Air Traffic Control 52