One Mile at a Time

MARCH 21, 2025

Southwest jet accelerates to 70 knots on taxiway This incident happened on Thursday, March 20, 2025, and involves Southwest flight WN3278, scheduled to operate from Orlando (MCO) to Albany (ALB), with a 9:25AM departure. Weve seen a lot of concerning close calls lately, though this is easily one of the most puzzling.

Air Traffic Control 100

Air Traffic Control Runway Knot Pilot 100

AV Web

SEPTEMBER 13, 2024

The NTSB and FAA are investigating a runway incursion at Nashville International Airport on Thursday in which an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX crew rejected its takeoff at about 130 knots when a Southwest 737-700 crossed the far end of the runway it was using. It’s not clear how close the two aircraft got.

Runway 111

Runway Air Traffic Control Clearance Knot 111

One Mile at a Time

OCTOBER 18, 2024

The issue here is that the tower controller gave a plane clearance for takeoff literally one second after another plane had been given clearance to cross that same runway. Once the controller figures out what’s going on, here’s how the communication goes: San Diego Tower: “Southwest 1478, cancel takeoff clearance.”

Runway 117

Runway Clearance Air Traffic Control Knot 117

Plane and Pilot

MARCH 26, 2025

According to reports from M-20C owners, the airplane can be expected to provide 140-145-knot cruise speeds. A peek in the flight manual reveals impressive takeoff performance, as well, listing a ground roll of 815 feet and a 50-foot obstacle clearance distance of 1,395 feet at maximum takeoff weight and standard conditions.

Clearance 53

Clearance Knot Airplanes General Aviation 53

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 9, 2024

While the ground-bound commuters down below trudge along in heavy traffic along the highways and byways, we pilots get to play three-dimensional chess at 150 knots or so in our piston-powered magic carpets. ATC clearance readbacks are one example. Flexible My favorite Air Force quote is “flexibility is the key to airpower.”

Pilot 105

Pilot Flight Deck Approach Weather 105

One Mile at a Time

JULY 29, 2024

So the pilot of the first Delta jet advised air traffic control they’d need a minute to crunch the numbers on takeoff performance: Delta 1304 pilot: “Right now, for Delta 1304, we got four knots too much on the tailwind. We’re just running the numbers, so stand by.” Pilots are always supposed to err on the side of caution.

Air Traffic Control 120

Air Traffic Control Clearance Runway Jet 120

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 29, 2024

I filed IFR , mostly so that I could get the altitude I wanted without having to worry about cloud clearances, and so if some little squirt cumulus popped up, I could blast through it or just nick the side of it. The FAA weather said a thunderstorm was forecast, gusts to 6 knots. There was also a link to a bridge for sale.

Weather 74

Weather Runway Knot Rudder 74

Plane and Pilot

FEBRUARY 28, 2025

These tools help the pilots deal with this busy section of the flight replete with numerous checklists, changing clearances, and traffic. We have some of the same checklists, clearances, and traffic, and we have one less pilot to get them all done. Back down here is GA land, we have many of the same concerns.

Descent 54

Descent Approach Final Approach Turbulence 54

Flying Magazine

APRIL 25, 2024

While we were sitting in the airplane on the morning of the flight, the pilot received his IFR clearance, which kept us on the eastern route. New York clearance delivery would not give us a southwestern departure because of heavy flow in and out of the congested New York airports. The ice began to melt.

Weather 108

Weather Wind Shear Clearance Turbulence 108

Fear of Landing

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024

The flight crew adjusted the icing bug to 165 knots. The temperature at their cruising altitude was around -9° with westerly winds at 46 knots. The ATR’s airspeed was 191 knots. The crew acknowledged and said that they were at the ideal point of descent and waiting for clearance.

Knot 104

Knot Approach Descent Weather 104

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 6, 2024

Also, from when I lived out West, there was the mountaintop clearance guideline—1,000 feet for every 10 knots of wind, with 30 knots meaning no-go. With my risk profile, IFR really means ignoring crappy VFR and VFR cloud clearance requirements. That maxim doesn’t seem as well-known in the East, however.

Airplanes 90

Airplanes Weather Ceiling Turbulence 90

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. The alert is only triggered when groundspeed is above 40 knots or the connected device does not have a GPS fix. There’s also a scratchpad tool to copy clearances as you listen. MSL and 25,000 ft.

AGL 52

AGL Runway Groundspeed Descent 52

Flying Magazine

MAY 13, 2024

For example, if the ACS states that during takeoff the applicant will “maintain V X /V Y as appropriate +10/-5 knots to a safe maneuvering attitude,” focus on nailing the airspeed. If the POH says V X is 67 knots, fly at 67 knots. Chapter 3 in the AIM has details on dimensions of airspace, cloud clearances, and visibility.

Pilot 116

Pilot Knot Annual Inspection VOR 116

Pilot Institute

SEPTEMBER 26, 2024

Before entering Class C airspace, pilots must receive clearance from Air Traffic Control (ATC). Class C airports’ speed limits require aircraft within 4 Nautical Miles (NM) of the primary airport and below 2500 feet to maintain an Indicated Airspeed (IAS) of 200 knots or less. Altitude and intentions (e.g.,

Clearance 52

Clearance Transponder Knot Indicated Airspeed 52

Pilot Institute

APRIL 24, 2024

Pilots must meet equipment and certification requirements and have ATC clearance to enter. Operating Requirements in Class B Airspace Operational Requirements VFR traffic needs explicit clearance to enter Bravo airspace. If you’re flying under IFR, you don’t need an explicit Bravo clearance. What is Class B Airspace?

Clearance 52

Clearance Ceiling Airspace Classes Transponder 52

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 21, 2025

When controllers anticipate a delay, usually due to a high volume of traffic, weather, or both, pilots are usually issued a holding clearance. When ATC issues a clearance requiring you to hold at a fix where a holding pattern is not charted, pilots are issued complete holding instructions. Maximum holding speeds in knots indicated.

Clearance 52

Clearance Indicated Airspeed Knot Approach 52

Pilot's Life Blog

JULY 10, 2024

Among these tech tools are Air Traffic Controllers who provide ATC clearance as the pilot approaches the landing area. A runway holding position may have solid double lines that indicate the plane must hold short, meaning it cannot move into the runway after aircraft taxiing unless it has received ATC clearance.

Runway 52

Runway Clearance Air Traffic Control Pilot 52

Air Facts

AUGUST 16, 2024

This had the effect of a rapid reduction of airspeed (to 80 knots) as the autopilot fought to maintain altitude. On the other side of the wave, the airspeed increased to 150 knots. I quickly disengaged the autopilot and reduced speed to maneuvering speed (118 knots) by pulling the throttle back.

Weather 98

Weather Knot Ceiling Turbulence 98

Aerotime

APRIL 3, 2025

The airplane first struck the ground at a speed of 250 knots about four kilometers short of runway 25L, before bouncing for three seconds and then crashing 500 meters further in a rice paddy field. Later on, the aircrafts rear access door detached and also fell into the sea. Only one aileron and one wing spoiler were operating.

Aileron 273

Aileron Runway Rudder Descent 273

Flight Training Central

NOVEMBER 4, 2024

An ATC clearance is required for operations within Class B airspace. Class B Speed Limitations Aircraft flying within the Class B airspace may fly at an indicated airspeed of up to 250 knots. If flying below a Class B layer or within a VFR corridor through the Class B, the aircraft is limited to an indicated airspeed of 200 knots.

Indicated Airspeed 52

Indicated Airspeed Airspace Classes Clearance Pilot in Command 52

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 13, 2024

When controllers anticipate a delay at a clearance limit or fix, usually due to a high volume of traffic, weather, or both, pilots are usually issued a holding clearance. When ATC issues a clearance requiring you to hold at a fix where a holding pattern is not charted, pilots are issued complete holding instructions.

Clearance 52

Clearance Indicated Airspeed Knot Approach 52

Fear of Landing

DECEMBER 13, 2024

The wreckage, courtesy of the Lithuanian Ministry of Transport During the initial approach, they arrived at the waypoint WIZOP travelling at about 300 knots ground speed, quite a bit over the chart maximum of 230 knots. Vilnius Tower : Postman one eight delta: wind 170 degrees one five knots, cleared to land runway one niner.

Runway 104

Runway Approach UTC Knot 104

Flying Magazine

MAY 15, 2024

It might be no greater than 6 knots with gusts to 10 mph. Then the CFI should increase the winds so they are 10 knots (or more) above the demonstrated crosswind component. The CFI plays ATC during this scenario, giving the learner their clearances and fielding requests, just as ATC does. This throws down a gauntlet of challenge.

Crosswind 105

Crosswind Airplanes VOR Runway 105

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 22, 2024

While the temptation to find cheaper gas at an uncontrolled field loomed large, the extra services provided by the approach control, clearance delivery, and a busier FBO seemed to make more sense. We divided up flying the aircraft, getting a divert clearance to an airport a bit farther east of the storms, and refiling our next leg.

Weather 86

Weather Clearance Pilot Airplanes 86

Air Facts

DECEMBER 30, 2024

This was indeed the case as I observed my GPS indicated ground speed to be 165 Knots. I encountered unexpected headwinds to start, slowing my groundspeed down to 75 knots at times. My second and final leg for that day was planned to St George, Utah. The weather again was forecasted to be favorable with a tailwind the whole way to boot!

Weather 98

Weather Approach VFR On Top Knot 98

ABEAM

JULY 5, 2024

Slowly is real slow : at around the Vy speed of 80 knots indicated ! No formation take-off allowed in Kortrijk but we soon settled in a loose formation, throttled back at 50% engine power yielding about 80 knots IAS. The ferry was split up in section of 6 to 8 hours nett flying in order to minimize the number of stops.

Transponder 52

Transponder Knot Clearance General Aviation 52

Pilot's Life Blog

JUNE 21, 2024

Cessna has defined the ideal short-field landing speed at 61 knots. When flying different types of aircraft, particularly smaller aircraft, it’s worth considering a landing speed of three to five knots slower. Your landing airspeed needs to strike a happy medium. Braking too hard and fast can do more harm than good.

Stability 52

Stability Approach Knot Clearance 52

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 8, 2024

A 10-knot tailwind was also in our favor as the Cessna tracked around 150 knots over the ground. Yes, sir, we are requesting Bravo clearance for the Hudson River at 1,500. After taxiing to Runway 27 and doing a thorough run-up, I called Newark Clearance. This made the direct trip to KLDJ less than two and a half hours.

Clearance 52

Clearance Approach Knot Altimeter 52

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 8, 2024

A 10-knot tailwind was also in our favor as the Cessna tracked around 150 knots over the ground. Yes, sir, we are requesting Bravo clearance for the Hudson River at 1,500. After taxiing to Runway 27 and doing a thorough run-up, I called Newark Clearance. This made the direct trip to KLDJ less than two and a half hours.

Clearance 52

Clearance Approach Knot Altimeter 52

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 19, 2024

This 172 had a flap extension speed of 85 knots, and my old Cessna 172’s limit was 100 mph, or 87 knots. The plan was to shoot an instrument landing system (ILS) at the military airport next door, but clearance delivery told us they were landing the other direction. These discrepancies helped me get my head back in the game.

Pitot Tube 80

Pitot Tube Approach Aileron Instrument Landing System 80

ABEAM

AUGUST 26, 2023

IFR clearance was direct to DEVBI while we knew we could pick up our oceanic clearance (my first ever !) After passing DEVBI, Scottish Control passed us to Reykjavik Control who told us to pick up our Oceanic Clearance with Iceland Radio on 127.850. after DEVBI with Iceland Radio. So we could continue to Iceland.

Weather 52

Weather Clearance Knot Airplanes 52

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 17, 2024

Additionally, a pilot should report any of the following events:: When vacating any previously assigned altitude or flight level for a newly assigned altitude or flight level ( AIM 5-3-3 ) When an altitude change will be made if operating on a clearance specifying VFR-on-top. ( AIM 5-3-3 ) When an approach has been missed. (

Instrument Flight Rules 52

Instrument Flight Rules AGL Ceiling True Airspeed 52

Aerotime

MARCH 20, 2025

As the aircraft approached Nome, air traffic controllers informed the pilot of flight 445 that Nomes runway was being de-iced and was temporarily closed, and that flight 445 could expect a 10 to 15 minute delay in landing clearance to be given. Indications show that its speed dropped from around 160 knots to 110 knots.

Knot 305

Knot Air Traffic Control Gross Weight Airplanes 305

Photographic Logbook

APRIL 19, 2024

I pulled the power back and set a notch of flaps to establish a 90 knot, 500 foot/minute descent. April 19: Excessive Clearance At the conclusion of the conference, John and I walked back to the Windsor Suites, retrieved our bags ("That bag is so cute !" I swallowed my objection and read the clearance back to the controller.

Approach 69

Approach Wind Shear Runway VOR 69

Pilot Institute

MAY 4, 2024

In the Cessna 172S Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH), the landing distance decreases by 10% for every 9 knots of headwind. For the Cessna 172, landing distance increases by 10% for every 2 knots of tailwind. This can greatly impact landing performance and obstacle clearance. Let’s factor in the 9-knot headwind.

Weight-Shift-Control 52

Weight-Shift-Control Runway Approach Density Altitude 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. September 24: Cloudscapes Date Aircraft Route of Flight Time (hrs) Total (hrs) 24 Sep 2023 N21481 SDC (Sodus, NY) - 5B2 (Saratoga Springs, NY) 1.9 All went according to plan.

Instrument Meteorological Conditions 52

Instrument Meteorological Conditions Approach Final Approach Airplanes 52

Pilot Institute

MARCH 6, 2025

In contrast to a control tower, an FSS is not responsible for giving instructions or clearances to aircraft. LLWS Low-Level Wind Shear An LLWS is defined as a wind shear of 10 knots or more per 100 feet in a layer more than 200 feet thick which occurs within 2000 feet of the surface.

Pilot 52

Pilot Weather Air Traffic Control NOTAMs 52