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

Few airlines are willing to pay the cost of training pilots to use synthetic vision systems (SVS) effectively, so airliners are rarely equipped with them. In addition, previews of weather in 3D show Internet-based icing and turbulence forecasts at various altitudes.

Flight Deck 52

Flight Deck Primary Flight Display Approach Runway 52