Northstar VFR

JUNE 30, 2024

Pilots rely on the airspeed indicator and altimeter instruments to measure and display this vital information. The static port is connected to the ASI, altimeter, and VSI. How does the pitot-static system operate the altimeter? The altimeter utilizes the static port to receive inputs of the outside static pressure.

Pitot Tube 68

Pitot Tube Altimeter Instrument Meteorological Conditions Descent 68

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 22, 2024

First, the airplane is more stable in pitch than bank and, if you are a typical VFR pilot, you refer to the altimeter more than to the heading indicator. Just as an excessive climb or descent will cause you to overshoot altitude, an excessive rate of turn results in overshooting the target heading. Now let’s look at descents.

Descent 52

Descent Altimeter Airplanes Approach 52

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 6, 2024

For example, in a 200-feet-per-minute descent, a typical light plane will only gain a little speed. The altimeter will tell us how much height we’ve gained, but estimating how fast the needles are turning (or the tape is sliding past) is a lousy way to tell how fast the altitude is changing.

Airplanes 90

Airplanes Pilot Descent Altimeter 90

Air Facts

APRIL 29, 2024

I requested a descent from 6,000’ down to 4,000’ and was denied due to traffic. I was soon cleared to descend to 4,000’ and entered IMC during the descent while I located the approach chart to brief. I began a rapid descent from 3,000’ down to the 2,000’ for the IAF. We’re now following a Saratoga. The IAF was looming closer.

Descent 71

Descent Approach Weather Runway 71

Pilot Institute

MAY 4, 2024

Any substantial changes to speed and descent rate will destabilize the landing. The drag allows for a steeper descent, which is particularly helpful when avoiding obstacles. The local altimeter setting is 29.65, the temperature is 25°C, and we have a 9-knot headwind. Our imaginary destination airport is at 1,500 feet MSL.

Weight-Shift-Control 52

Weight-Shift-Control Runway Approach Descent 52

Pilot Institute

MAY 9, 2024

It’s just S-turns with climbs and descents, right? Glance at your altimeter. It’s an amazing feeling to hit your target altitude without having glanced at the altimeter. Lazy eights sound like the least challenging commercial checkride maneuver to learn. Thankfully, lazy eights don’t have to be such a struggle.

Rudder 52

Rudder Lift Aileron Drag 52

Pilot Institute

AUGUST 2, 2024

Increasing altitude – read from your altimeter. Decreasing altitude – read from your altimeter. An increasing rate of descent. Decreasing altitude – read from your altimeter. High rate of descent – shown on your vertical speed indicator. – read from your vertical speed indicator.

Altimeter 52

Altimeter Descent Turbulence Lift 52