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)?

Descent 54

Descent Approach Final Approach Turbulence 54

Air Facts

APRIL 9, 2025

Weve all seen itnow imagine it on short final with Starlink. Its easy to imagine reading the NTSB report about an influencer on YouTube or Instagram who crashed while livestreaming on final approach (Can I land in a 40-knot crosswind? Ride along and find out!). Kids these days, right?

Weather 98

Weather Airplanes Pilot Cockpit 98

iPad Pilot News

MARCH 11, 2025

The alert will only sound once every 60 seconds and is automatically disabled if groundspeed is less than 40 knots. Runway Final Approach Alert – Alerts when approaching any runway, based on altitude, vertical speed, track, and when within 4 nm of the runway threshold. AGL after having been above 1,000 ft.

AGL 52

AGL Runway Groundspeed Descent 52

Fear of Landing

DECEMBER 13, 2024

On the 25th of November 2024, a Boeing 737-400 crashed on final approach to Vilnius airport with one fatality. With a temperature of 1C and a dew point of -1C, the likelihood of serious structural icing on approach was low. QNH one zero two zero, ILS approach runway one nine, information Uniform.

Runway 104

Runway Approach UTC Knot 104

Flying Magazine

APRIL 26, 2024

Left downwind on a blustery day with live weather actually shows a virga burst over the field, with local winds gusting 36 knots, making for some extreme conditions in such a tight canyon. For the final approach, I calculated V REF of about 128 was fought with much shear, with airspeed variances of up to 20 to 30 knots, providing a wild ride.

Crosswind 105

Crosswind Weather Knot Aileron 105

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 16, 2024

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. This allows you to configure appropriately and ensures a stabilized approach. Take your ground speed in knots and divide it by two.

Airplanes 52

Airplanes Descent Approach Runway 52

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024

This is not an instrument procedure, but rather a way to enter the traffic pattern when approaching from the opposite side of the runway. For example, if the pattern is empty, the safest and easiest approach is to enter on the crosswind and turn left, skipping the teardrop and saving time.

Crosswind 98

Crosswind Airplanes Runway Approach 98

Pilot Institute

SEPTEMBER 24, 2024

The ILS approach has revolutionized aviation and the types of weather we can fly in. Including how it became the most reliable approach for pilots in aviation history. The ILS is a type of approach pilots use to land. It is a precision approach aid based on two radio beams. This is most likely thanks to the ILS.

Approach 52

Approach Knot Runway Distance Measuring Equipment 52

Fear of Landing

APRIL 19, 2024

The helicopter turned left to return to the airport, travelling at about 85 knots. The indicated airspeed had fallen below 65 knots and was still decreasing. The helicopter was at treetop height with an indicated airspeed of zero knots when the right yaw ceased. The pilot reported two miles out.

Torque 98

Torque Indicated Airspeed Tail Knot 98

Ask Captain Lim

DECEMBER 11, 2024

Recently, the pilot of a Malaysia Airlines A350 earned praise on social media for expertly handling a demanding final approach in London’s Heathrow Airport during a storm that struck Britain. In contrast, Boeing aircraft often use the wing-low technique, maintaining alignment with the runway throughout the approach and landing.

Crosswind 52

Crosswind Pilot Approach Final Approach 52

Photographic Logbook

FEBRUARY 2, 2025

Camera at the Ready We passed from Syracuse, through multiple sectors of Boston Center, and ultimately to Boston Approach once within the boundaries of New Hampshire. The Bear wielded her trusty Nikon like a pro and captured our approach and landing. A target moved across my traffic display at 450 knots (518 miles per hour). "I

Runway 89

Runway Knot Weather Turbulence 89

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 25, 2024

As we approached the gate, my phone rang again. The RNAV approach to the 7,000-foot Runway 31 that snakes around from the Runway 4 extended centerline, loops past Citi Field, and rolls out on a tight-in final approach. When you’re already this far down our particular approach, there wasn’t a lot of time for anything.

Runway 52

Runway Approach Knot Jet 52

Air Facts

OCTOBER 14, 2024

Wind velocity of greater than 20 knots with higher gusts, especially flowing over rough terrain, can lead to an unwelcome flight. Even stable airmass of constant 20 knot winds as it traverses over uneven terrain will cause eddies or burbles, or “potholes in the sky” that will “involuntarily” move the aircraft in its various axes.

Turbulence 52

Turbulence Knot Wind Shear Lift 52

Air Facts

MARCH 26, 2025

The airspeed indicator registered 55 knots, close to the Cessna 172s stall speed. But as I banked into my final approach, my heart sank. I did the worst thing possible and tried to lose altitude by steepening my approach. Several seconds passed as I scanned the sky. I knew I should go-around, but panic gripped me.

Knot 52

Knot Runway Pilot Tail 52

Pilot Institute

JULY 12, 2024

Key Takeaways Start by setting up your approach correctly to ensure you arrive at the threshold perfectly every time. Perfect the approach phase by managing the aircraft’s energy and using references to improve positioning throughout the pattern. Flying the Approach Haphazard approaches are very likely to lead to haphazard landings.

Descent 52

Descent Weight-Shift-Control Crosswind Runway 52

Photographic Logbook

JUNE 1, 2024

"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. Albany Approach and the Cirrus pilot were calling each other on the radio, but neither could hear the other's transmissions.

Runway 88

Runway Approach Airplanes Turbulence 88

Photographic Logbook

APRIL 19, 2024

I expected minimal IMC time and the need for an approach appeared beyond remote. The Inevitable Reroute Allentown Approach: "Cherokee Four Eight One, I have an amendment to your routing, advise ready to copy." Right after I saw the city, I was vectored away from it to the northeast and cleared for the approach. Foolish mortal.

Approach 69

Approach Wind Shear Runway VOR 69

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. After leaving the theater, we stopped for a quick dinner and continued on to the Williamson Sodus Airport.

Instrument Meteorological Conditions 52

Instrument Meteorological Conditions Approach Final Approach Airplanes 52

Pilot Institute

MARCH 6, 2025

The systematic approach is designed to help pilots approach troublesome situations in a calm and logical manner. Information transmitted via ATIS can include weather information, NOTAMs, available approaches, or active runaways. The FAA prescribes the 5P approach to SRM Plan, Plane, Pilot, Passengers, and Programming.

Pilot 52

Pilot Weather Air Traffic Control NOTAMs 52

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 13, 2024

Everything seems to be going well on approach, and then out of nowhere, you feel the jolt. For most light aircraft, you should aim for a descent rate of 500 feet per minute on the final approach. For example, The Cessna 172 has an approach speed of 65 knots with full flaps. What do you do?

Descent 52

Descent Runway Rudder Pilot 52

Air Facts

APRIL 24, 2024

But, with a frontal system approaching, the conditions were expected to worsen over the hours subsequent to our passing through, including the chance for moderate to severe turbulence. That was the longest, most terrifying final approach—actually the only terrifying final approach—I’ve ever experienced.

Turbulence 52

Turbulence Wind Shear Final Approach Ceiling 52

Chess In the Air

JULY 4, 2022

If we can wait for the threat to pass this is clearly the best approach; especially when the virga is fairly isolated and the clouds are cycling. Rapidly approaching cold fronts (or other fronts, e.g. sea breeze fronts). In certain conditions blowing dust (a “ haboob “) can make an approaching front easily visible.

Wind Shear 52

Wind Shear AGL Lift Runway 52

AeroSavvy

AUGUST 20, 2021

I configured the airplane the same way as noted on the Piper Climb chart: 105 mph (91 knots), flaps 10 ° , full throttle. Time To Fly Our aircraft can cruise for about 4 ½ hours plus an hour of reserve fuel at 130 knots. The approach and taxi are time compressed; the landing is normal speed.

Density Altitude 52

Density Altitude OAT Airplanes Fixed Base Operator 52

Charles Ryan's Flying Adventure

OCTOBER 10, 2023

Speedbrakes were applied as we have to slow down below 250 knots when we are flying at 10,000 feet and below. The flaps are all out this means one thing, we are on final approach. At this point we have entered the UK airspace and started our descent. The ride was smooth, hardly any bumps so far. Welcome back to the U.K!

Airline 52

Airline Airlines Runway Tarmac 52

Charles Ryan's Flying Adventure

DECEMBER 20, 2023

This is to slow our aircraft down and we have to maintain the speed of less than 250 knots when flying below 10,000 feet. At this point, we were lined up for our final approach into KUL runway 33. During our descent, we had a good view of Port Dickson and fortunately for us the weather wasn't too bad.

Airline 52

Airline Airlines Weather Runway 52

Aerotime

JULY 19, 2024

The approach to Sioux City With the aircraft at a range of about nine miles from touchdown at Sioux City, the crew made visual contact with the airport. During the final approach, Haynes noted a high sink rate alarm from the aircraft’s ground proximity warning syst em (GPWS).

Runway 304

Runway Horizontal Stabilizer Airline Airlines 304

AV Web

JANUARY 22, 2025

Winds were from 290 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 21 knots. Yet all indications are he succumbed to a simple stall on final approach. On final approach for a third landing and following a Zenith STOL 701 also on final, the accident airplane descended and appeared to be lower than the airplane ahead.

Final Approach 52

Final Approach Airplanes Drag Pilot 52

Professional Pilot

DECEMBER 10, 2024

After 11 hours of flight during our descent to initiate an approach, the airport closed for Category I (CAT I) approaches due to weather. I had a landing gear failure in a King Air 200 on a night instrument approach to a small airport after hours. Slow to approach speed. Contact Dallas Approach for vectors to Love Field.

Weather 98

Weather Approach Descent Runway 98

Fear of Landing

JUNE 14, 2024

The aircraft was filled to full fuel and the pilot’s departure and flight to Murwillumbah was uneventful until the final approach to Murwillumbah. There was another person on the airfield, who was standing outside of a hangar at about halfway along the runway as the Cessna approached. The engine made a loud bang.

Threshold 91

Threshold Runway Approach Pilot 91

Photographic Logbook

OCTOBER 11, 2024

Off Sodus, I briefly leveled at 2,500 feet to remain visual until I received my instrument clearance from Rochester Approach. South of Buffalo, I tried to assist Approach by alerting them to a Citabria west of the Perry-Warsaw Airport that was trying to reach them. Looking north to the east end of Lake Erie and Buffalo, NY.

Runway 82

Runway Approach Knot Drag 82

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024

This broad scope approach is ultimately needed to help keep our friends, created in the image of God, alive. This approach gives perspective on all factors, including those that might otherwise be ignored or unrecognized. In contrast, this study sought to examine AOA in the context of all accidents. I can teach you in five minutes.”

General Aviation 98

General Aviation Pilot Approach Airplanes 98

Photographic Logbook

JANUARY 25, 2025

Not Cool, Man After transitioning across multiple sectors of Boston Center's vast airspace, the home stretch found us on with Boston Approach under a crisp, blue New Hampshire sky. With as much as 25 knots of tailwind, we made the flight from Sodus to Alton Bay in only two hours. It was only half full of parked aircraft.

Runway 68

Runway Airplanes Threshold Approach 68

Pilot Institute

JUNE 26, 2024

A bad approach results in a bad landing. A go-around is a maneuver performed to abort or reject a landing on the final approach or once the aircraft has already touched down. Top Reasons for Go-Arounds Unstabilized Approach An aircraft must have a stabilized approach before landing. What Is a Go-Around?

Wind Shear 52

Wind Shear Runway Approach Aeronautical Decision-Making 52

Air Facts

OCTOBER 7, 2024

Instrument panel of the T-34B With its 225-hp engine and constant speed prop, 240 knot maximum indicated airspeed, and built for positive 6 and negative 3Gs, it was both highly maneuverable and forgiving with no nasty characteristics that could get neophyte students in trouble. The Navy’s primary trainer was the T-34B.

Cockpit 98

Cockpit Rudder Tail Indicated Airspeed 98

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 2, 2024

I checked the weather by phone and was assured it would be great CAVU (ceiling and visibility unlimited) with 2-3-knot winds from 090 degrees. As I approached the river, the plane started to settle faster than it had. As I approached the center of the river and cliff, suddenly I was below the runway, looking up at the cliff.

Runway 67

Runway Threshold Approach AGL 67

Photographic Logbook

AUGUST 20, 2023

I flew to my hometown against a 30 knot headwind that stretched the flight time to just over three hours. Because of trees encroaching on the final approach courses, nighttime instrument procedures are no longer authorized at my airport. At the fuel pump in Sodus preparing for departure.

Runway 52

Runway Airplanes Approach Final Approach 52

Air Facts

DECEMBER 11, 2024

Perhaps knowing that a sudden loss of engine power loss leads to a decay of airspeed at the rate of 15 knots in two to three seconds and that means you only have two to three seconds to decide. I zipped through the approach course and ATC called back to reverse direction to re-intercept. What would that plan be?

Groundspeed 52

Groundspeed Lift Approach True Airspeed 52