Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 22, 2025

Flying at MSA guarantees at least 1,000 feet of obstacle clearance. Non-precision approaches (such as a localizer, VOR, LNAV, or NDB) use a Maltese cross for the FAF. MSAs are used in emergencies. If you lose your bearings and are struggling to find the airport, you dont want to hit something accidentally.

Approach 52

Approach Descent Runway Final Approach 52

Air Facts

OCTOBER 30, 2024

After startup, I’d record a VOR check in the aircraft log while waiting for our clearance. We flew the usual approaches: VOR, ILS, and the now extinct NDB. We rounded up the usual suspects: VOR, NDB, ILS, partial panel, and unusual attitudes. My NDB approach was flawless. Then came the long taxi to the runway.

NDB 52

NDB Checkride VOR Approach 52

Fear of Landing

JANUARY 3, 2025

The flight crew requested an NDB approach to Grozny and were cleared for approach to runway 26. Flight Level 150 is 15,000 metres, around 50,000 feet, so I’m wondering if someone translated the flight levels, as that seems like a big jump in clearance from 800 metres (3,000 feet).

Weather 111

Weather Airlines Airline Approach 111