Plane and Pilot

FEBRUARY 28, 2025

In the airline world, descent planning and execution receives a lot of attention. To cope with these challenges, airline glass flight decks contain a vertical navigation function (VNAV) that keeps the autopilot, and the crew, on the right path to arrive at the final approach fix, or downwind leg, at speed and on altitude.

Descent 56

Descent Approach Final Approach Turbulence 56

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 4, 2024

If you learned in a four-seater, chances are most of your flying was with only two people on board, with a nice cushion below max gross weight and with a mid- or forward CG. Then I had occasion to fly with an airline pilot, giving him a ride home in his leaseback before I was to fly it back. He had the altitude nailed.

Crosswind 52

Crosswind Aileron Runway Gross Weight 52

Professional Pilot

OCTOBER 10, 2024

Corporate pilots who had seen nothing but gray or rain outside the windshield suddenly could see the terrain, obstacles, runways, approaches, their own flightpath ahead, and even traffic in 3D. Airports and runways will be clearly marked, and could be even textured to represent asphalt, grass, and other surfaces.

Flight Deck 52

Flight Deck Primary Flight Display Approach Runway 52

iPad Pilot News

OCTOBER 31, 2024

The weight and balance tool calculates gross weight and center of gravity for a wide range of airplanes. Sophisticated takeoff and landing calculations are also available, so you can “run the math” before every flight—including temperature, runway slope, and wind. Our advice is to not overthink things.

Weather 52

Weather Approach Pilot Airplanes 52

Fear of Landing

SEPTEMBER 27, 2024

On the 9th of July 2024, flight LA8073, operated by the Chilean airline LATAM, departed from Milano Malpensa for a passenger flight to São Paulo, Brazil. The runway came out worst, with a 720-metre scrape, about 2,350 feet, two metres left of the centre line. I still can’t watch the video without wincing.

Tail 93

Tail V Speed Knot Runway 93

Air Facts

FEBRUARY 5, 2025

Six Brave Souls Air Facts Journal During the spring of 1977, I was a pilot for Skyway Airlines based at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Skyway was a small commuter airline that operated a fleet of seven airplanes, including one DC-3. Since we were now at our maximum gross weight, a full power takeoff was mandatory.

Gross Weight 89

Gross Weight Airplanes Flight Deck Runway 89