Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 27, 2024

Back in the early days of jet airliners, pilots long experienced in more forgiving two- and four-engine, piston-powered prop planes found themselves running out of airspeed, altitude, and ideas on the final approach to landing. Several of these unstabilized approaches resulted in major aircraft damage or worse.

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Stability Approach Runway Pilot 93

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. No information was available to determine the modes or settings of the avionics and/or autopilot during the approach.

Pilot in Command 95

Pilot in Command Pilot Approach Airplanes 95

Air Facts

MAY 10, 2024

Danger lurks in circling approaches Air Facts Journal the circling approach maneuver is designed as a last resort, non-precision approach. The very first question that should pop up into our head during a circling approach is “Why are we circling in the first place”? The n ext one is “What are our other options?”

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Approach AGL Descent Runway 97

Air Facts

APRIL 9, 2025

Starlink Mini isnt exactly tiny, but it can be mounted in most GA airplanes. Ive flown with it on multiple cross-country trips and can tell you its like having full-speed home Wi-Fi on your airplane, all over the US and at all altitudes. Weve all seen itnow imagine it on short final with Starlink. The system is hardly perfect.

Weather 98

Weather Airplanes Pilot Cockpit 98

Air Facts

MARCH 5, 2025

You then execute a 180 o descending Final Turn maintaining 175 knots to arrive wings-level one mile from the threshold on final approach at 500 AGL. At that point, you slow to the final approach speed of 155 knots, which is held until crossing the approach-end overrun where you reduce power to touch down at 130 knots.

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Pilot Knot AGL Approach 98

Simple Flying

SEPTEMBER 16, 2024

The airport is the site of the world-famous Maho Beach, commonly known as Airplane Beach , where airplane spotters from far and wide gather to watch planes on their final approach.

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Final Approach Airplanes Approach Airlines 92

Northstar VFR

DECEMBER 22, 2024

The most common area is your base to final turn. Its your slowest turn and if you arent carefully watching your airspeed, you can get too slow in the turn, exceed your critical angle of attack, stall the airplane, and enter a spin. Whats terrible is that base to final happens close to the ground. What happens next?

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Pilot Checkride Aileron Airplanes 76

Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 31, 2024

Have you ever thought about landing an airplane without using flaps? Think about these scenarios: maybe the flaps stop working, or youre flying an older airplane that doesnt even have them. Pilots must adapt their approach and landing technique during flap failure. Flatter approach angle (due to less drag).

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Pilot Drag Descent Approach 52

Plane and Pilot

FEBRUARY 28, 2025

We often hear that the key to a great landing is an equally great approach. And lets face it, the key to that flawless approach is often a well-planned descent. The en route instrument approaches, traffic patterns, and terrain are all new. When should we review the approach (IFR) or airport diagram (VFR)?

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Descent Approach Final Approach Turbulence 56

Flight Training Central

MAY 29, 2024

Landing an airplane is one of the most challenging, yet satisfying tasks you’ll learn to master on your path towards becoming a private pilot. This week’s tip shows how to fly a stabilized final approach and help you visualize the steps necessary to transition from the roundout and flare to the touchdown.

Airplanes 52

Airplanes Final Approach Stability Approach 52

Plane and Pilot

APRIL 14, 2025

From 1991-98, the original Nemesis became the winningest airplane in air race history, capturing 45 of 48 events. He flies downwind leg at 150 mph, final approach at 130, and touchdown at 110the NXT stalls at 90 mph. Flying the NXT is an experience. Sharp describes its takeoff, speed, and landing performance as breathtaking.

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Airfoil Final Approach Drag Tail 84

Fear of Landing

MARCH 21, 2025

Close up of the chart, showing the airport to the left, with Route 1 coming from the top and Route 4 leading to the bottom The FAA’s Helicopter Route Chart shows clearly that a helicopter following Route 4 would cross the approach path for runway 33. An aircraft descending on a 3 slope would pass this point at 300 feet.

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Runway Air Traffic Control Approach Descent 73

Pilot Institute

APRIL 23, 2025

Landing Gear Operating Speed (VLO) Explained Youre on the final approach. Now its time to extend the landing gear and complete your final approach checklist. Having a structured approach to your descent and landing procedures is another helpful strategy. Theres just one problem youre too fast.

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Final Approach Descent V Speed Pilot 52

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 16, 2024

Landing an airplane can be one of the most nerve-wracking tasks for a student pilot. Getting an airplane to fly is easy. Briefing A pre-landing briefing highlights essential points critical to the approach and landing phase. It also allows you to focus on flying during the last stages of the approach and landing.

Airplanes 52

Airplanes Descent Approach Final Approach 52

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.

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Crosswind Runway Clearance Air Traffic Control 98

Flight Training Central

DECEMBER 4, 2023

A pilot needs to control the airplane in a manner that the wings support the weight of the airplane as long as practical to minimize stresses imposed on the landing gear by a rough surface or to prevent sinking into a soft surface. The approach for the soft-field landing is similar to the normal approach.

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Approach Ground Effect Final Approach Airplanes 52

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 19, 2024

Are you curious about flying a VOR approach? If you’re aiming to master instrument-rated flying, it’d be valuable to learn about VOR approaches. We’ll cover what a VOR approach is, how to fly it step-by-step, and even whether GPS can replace it in today’s navigation. Ready to make VOR approaches easy?

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VOR Approach Descent Final Approach 52

iPad Pilot News

JUNE 7, 2024

The companion datalink traffic feature took a little longer to reach maturity, requiring your airplane to be equipped with an ADS-B Out transponder to get the full traffic picture. That limitation is now in the past since nearly every airplane flying in busy and high-altitude airspace is ADS-B out equipped.

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Turbulence Runway AGL Airplanes 98

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024

If you’ve arrived at a non-towered airport recently, especially one with a busy flight school, you may have heard another airplane announce something to the effect of “overhead for the teardrop entry.” This is not an instrument procedure, but rather a way to enter the traffic pattern when approaching from the opposite side of the runway.

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Crosswind Airplanes Runway AGL 98

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 2, 2024

Key Takeaways Power-off stalls mimic a stall during the flight’s approach and landing phase. On final approach, it can be the difference between recovering and crashing. We practice power-off stalls to help us identify the signs of a stall and the characteristics of your airplane when it stalls.

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Descent Approach AGL Lift 52

iPad Pilot News

MARCH 11, 2025

Runway Final Approach Alert – Alerts when approaching any runway, based on altitude, vertical speed, track, and when within 4 nm of the runway threshold. Traffic On Runway – Alerts when approaching to land on a runway, and ForeFlight detects another aircraft on that runway. nm and +/- 1,200 ft.

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AGL Runway Groundspeed Descent 52

Pilot Institute

MAY 1, 2024

For new instrument pilots, flying an approach to minimums is a big challenge. Adding an approach briefing to the mix feels like one task too many. Luckily, mastering approach briefings is not as hard as it seems. This article breaks down how to deliver a top-notch approach briefing, every time. Final approach course.

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Approach NOTAMs Runway Weather 52

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 17, 2024

They are the Visual Approach Slope Indicator and Precision Approach Path Indicator. These systems are designed to help you stay on the correct glide path as you approach the runway. VASI and PAPI each have their own approach. However, not all types of aircraft are meant to take the same approach path. What Is VASI?

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Runway Approach Threshold Clearance 98

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 17, 2025

If not, scan the entire area around you for preferably, an airport, but if not, a location that will best ensure your successful outcome ideally, a flat, open field absent obvious approach obstructions such as trees, powerlines or structures. Your first obligation is to maintain positive control and FLY THE AIRPLANE. C Checklist.

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Flight Deck Approach Air Traffic Control Final Approach 100

Flying Magazine

MAY 6, 2024

Subscribe Now Featured A) Two Radials Depicted From the STL VOR, there are two radials depicted that intersect with the final approach path—the R-144 and the R-194. C) FAF Identification No DME is offered for this approach, but you could use an IFR GPS to help with identification of the final approach fix waypoint at the EAVES LOM.

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VOR Final Approach Approach NDB 59

Fear of Landing

DECEMBER 6, 2024

During the final stages of the flight, air traffic control told the pilot to expect the RNAV A approach to Montgomery County. The pilot asked for the RNAV GPS RWY 14 approach, which had lower minimums. His troubles began before he even started the approach. The Mooney continued its approach.

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Approach Runway Air Traffic Control Descent 97

AV Web

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024

By federal regulation, airplanes that miss their required service intervals are grounded from passenger operations. Only when the schedule for the airplanes is built is the enchilada then sent to have the flight crew schedule built and so on. Three airplanes are at neighboring gates preparing to depart.

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Airline Airlines Clearance Airplanes 105

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 13, 2024

The many analyses and videos on these topics have been done in what can best be described as laboratory conditions—carefully selected ideal conditions of pilot, airplane, and environment. This approach gives perspective on all factors, including those that might otherwise be ignored or unrecognized.

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Gross Weight Runway Airplanes Pilot 98

Photographic Logbook

JUNE 1, 2024

Tom and Ed with their airplanes at the fuel farm at Sodus. Hey, November Four Eight One, I have a question for you," asked the Syracuse Approach controller during a lull. laughed Syracuse Approach before returning to his real job of separating aircraft. You see the other airplane, right?" What's going on at Barnes today?

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Runway Approach Airplanes Turbulence 88

iPad Pilot News

JANUARY 7, 2025

For example, ForeFlight presents both visual pop-up and aural alerts for runway proximity, traffic, cabin altitude, destination weather, terrain, TFRs, final approach runway, low altitude, traffic conflicts and more. Not configuring engine-out glide performance for your airplane. Updating your iPadOS the day it is released.

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Pilot Descent Airplanes Cockpit 98

Inspire

JUNE 15, 2021

Crazy wind gusts on final approach with very poor visibility through the windshield made for a very close call that could have been a disaster. Thanks to a lot of luck and a little bit of pilot skill, both the airplane and I made it home safely. The post Lessons Learned: When Not to Fly first appeared on Hangar Flying.

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Final Approach Approach Airplanes Hangar 40

Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 12, 2024

If you’re on a non-precision or precision approach, understanding MDA (Minimum Descent Altitude) and DA (Decision Altitude) is incredibly important. Key Takeaways MDA applies to non-precision approaches, requiring pilots to level off at a minimum altitude. These paths guide the airplane safely during its descent.

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Altimeter Descent Approach Runway 52

Flight Training Central

MAY 30, 2024

There are several strategies (see below), but regardless of which method you choose, make sure that each time you approach your simulator you treat it as an airplane and not a toy. Although approaches done on a non-certified system do not count towards the required FAA 61.57

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Final Approach Approach Rudder Pilot 52

Photographic Logbook

SEPTEMBER 24, 2023

Even slowed by a 25 knot headwind, the airplane still saved time. We departed Sodus VFR and contacted Rochester Approach for our instrument clearance. I requested the RNAV-5 instrument approach from Albany. We worked together to bundle up the airplane and minutes later, we were travelling into downtown Saratoga Springs by Uber.

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Instrument Meteorological Conditions Approach Final Approach Airplanes 52

Photographic Logbook

SEPTEMBER 21, 2024

Hello and Goodbye Final approach, runway 27L, Oakland County International ("Pontiac"). Because of low fog covering southern Michigan, Detroit Approach assigned me the RNAV-27L instrument approach procedure into Oakland County. For me, the elusive optical phenomenon is now associated with memories of her wonderful smile.

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Weather Runway Approach Final Approach 85

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 29, 2024

What is the best IFR route and which approach can I expect? They’re even sorted by altitude so you can find the option that best matches the performance of your airplane. Now keep an eye out for traffic approaching and descending towards the airport and you’ll be able to see which runway is in use. How is the weather developing?

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Clearance Weather Approach Runway 52

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 13, 2024

Everything seems to be going well on approach, and then out of nowhere, you feel the jolt. The wheels touch down too hard, and before you know it, the airplane is bouncing right back into the air. For most light aircraft, you should aim for a descent rate of 500 feet per minute on the final approach. What do you do?

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Descent Runway Rudder Pilot 52