Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 9, 2024

With a tip of the hat to Stephen Covey, just what are some of the habits and characteristics that define the highly effective pilot? For the record, the one-size-fits-all, larger-than-life image that the movies and TV paint of pilots is not always accurate. As the saying goes, “A good pilot is always learning.”

Pilot 105

Pilot Flight Deck Approach Weather 105

AV Web

MARCH 19, 2025

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has posted its Preliminary Report on the runway incursion and near-collision involving a Flexjet Challenger 350 and a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800 at Chicago Midway Airport (KMDW). Further confusing the issue, what used to be Runway 31R is now Taxiway H, so there is no longer a Runway 31R.

Runway 81

Runway Clearance Final Approach Approach 81

Aerotime

JUNE 10, 2024

Two planes narrowly avoided a collision on a runway at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM). The incident occurred on June 8, 2024, when an IndiGo flight landed on the runway while an Air India flight was taking off. Both planes were A320neos.

Air Traffic Control 260

Air Traffic Control Lift Pilot in Command Runway 260

Aerotime

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

At this point, the pilots will contact ATC for push and start clearance , allowing the plane to be pushed back from its parking position (if applicable, depending on the airport) and to start its engines in sequence. Once this message is conveyed to the pilots, they disengage the aircraft’s parking brake, hence the ‘ wobble ’.

Cabin Crew 271

Cabin Crew Runway Clearance Knot 271

One Mile at a Time

JANUARY 7, 2025

181 people on board pic.twitter.com/9rQUC0Yxt8 BNO News (@BNONews) December 29, 2024 The localizer antenna (used for aircraft navigation) was a couple of hundred meters down the end of the runway, which isnt unusual. We know the plane had initially been given clearance to land on runway 1.

Runway 104

Runway Clearance Cockpit Pilot 104

One Mile at a Time

OCTOBER 18, 2024

This isn’t good… air traffic controllers cleared two Southwest jets to use the same runway at the same time. Southwest 1478: “Runway 27, line up and wait, Southwest 1478.” San Diego Ground: “Southwest 785, cross runway 27 at B6, continue taxiing via C.” Southwest 1478: “Runway 27, cleared for takeoff, Southwest 1478.”

Runway 115

Runway Clearance Air Traffic Control Jet 115

One Mile at a Time

MARCH 21, 2025

A Southwest Airlines jet attempted to take off from a taxiway yesterday, somehow mistaking it for a runway in broad daylight. At Orlando Airport, Southwest departs from airside 2, and the plane was supposed to take off from runway 17R, a very short distance away. The taxiway runs parallel to the runway.

Air Traffic Control 80

Air Traffic Control Runway Knot Pilot 80

Plane and Pilot

MARCH 25, 2025

I dont exactly fit the standard pilot profile of Game Aerospaces GB1 GameBird But theres always been something about the GameBird that has piqued my interest. Its first-class team, led by Ian Waghorn, ensures that pilots leave the training program feeling confident, competent, and safe in their new or new-to-them GameBird.

Knot 111

Knot Airplanes Runway Rudder 111

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.

Runway 111

Runway Air Traffic Control Clearance Knot 111

One Mile at a Time

AUGUST 27, 2024

The channel has just uploaded a video involving an interaction between an air traffic controller at New York Kennedy Airport (JFK) and an Aeromexico pilot. Pilot: “Okay, cross runway 13R on echo, and follow the heavy on charlie, Aeromexico 401.” Pilot: You said 13R, but it’s 13L, okay.” Pilot: “No, thank you very much.”

Air Traffic Control 125

Air Traffic Control Pilot Clearance Runway 125

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 15, 2025

Area Navigation (RNAV) is a way for pilots to know where they’re going without needing help from the ground. Before RNAV, pilots had to rely on radios (NAVAIDs) and antennas on the ground such as VORs (Very High-Frequency Omnidirectional Range) and NDBs (Non-Directional Beacons). What Are RNAV Approaches? How Does RNAV Work?

Approach 52

Approach Pilot Descent Airplanes 52

AV Web

JANUARY 21, 2025

The report targets pilot error (one aircraft lining up for the wrong runway), controller mistakes, and controller staffing shortages as probable causes in the accident. The 82-year-old pilot, who lived in Las Vegas, was experienced, with commercial, instrument, multi-engine, and flight instructor ratings.

Clearance 119

Clearance Runway Approach Flight Plan 119

One Mile at a Time

OCTOBER 9, 2024

The clip doesn’t fully pick up the communications from the pilots, since the radio receiver can’t pick up transmissions from too far away. Basically, there’s one pilot, flying the aircraft with the registration code N234WL, that’s clearly giving the air traffic controller a hard time. You can watch the video for yourself below.

Air Traffic Control 122

Air Traffic Control Pilot Clearance General Aviation 122

Fear of Landing

DECEMBER 13, 2024

The airport has a single north-south asphalt runway (01/19) of 2,515 metres (8,250 feet). The runway elevation is 646 feet above mean sea level. One pilot was killed in the crash, the other three suffered serious injuries. QNH one zero two zero, ILS approach runway one nine, information Uniform.

Runway 96

Runway Approach UTC Knot 96

Airspeed Junkie

NOVEMBER 9, 2024

Master the Phonetic Alphabet for Aviation: Essential Guide for Pilots The phonetic alphabet for aviation is a standardized set of words designed to prevent miscommunication. By replacing letters with distinct words like ‘Alpha’ for ‘A’ and ‘Bravo’ for ‘B,’ it ensures clear communication between pilots and air traffic controllers.

Air Traffic Control 52

Air Traffic Control Pilot Tail Cockpit 52

iPad Pilot News

MARCH 11, 2025

Heads-up, hands-free: How to use iPad audio alerts for safer flights iPad Pilot News The iPad is an engaging visual tool, but many pilots forget about its many audio uses. These alerts include runway proximity, traffic, cabin altitude, destination weather, terrain, airspace and TFRs, carbon monoxide and more.

AGL 52

AGL Runway Groundspeed Descent 52

One Mile at a Time

MARCH 28, 2025

Air traffic controllers in New York have the reputation for sometimes having a bit of an attitude with pilots, and losing their cool. So heres an interesting interaction, where the opposite is true the pilot loses his cool, while the air traffic controller keeps his calm. That being said, was the pilots frustration justified?

Air Traffic Control 82

Air Traffic Control Pilot Runway Clearance 82

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. It depends.

Descent 54

Descent Approach Final Approach Turbulence 54

Flight Training Central

MAY 28, 2024

The numbers 4 and 22 on the approach ends of the runway indicate that the runway is orientated approximately 004° and 022° true. If the wind is as shown by the landing direction indicator, the pilot should land on Runway 9 and expect a crosswind from the right. Runway 31 directly into the wind. Pilot in command.

Crosswind 98

Crosswind Runway Clearance Air Traffic Control 98

Flying Magazine

MAY 13, 2024

It has long been said that the private pilot certificate is a “license to learn” as it is the foundation of a person’s flying career. Subscribe Now Featured I am not a DPE, but for several years I have been a check pilot providing mock check rides for applicants at the request of their CFIs.

Pilot 116

Pilot Knot Annual Inspection VOR 116

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. Delta 2046 pilot: “We can get in there, Delta 2046.” We’re just running the numbers, so stand by.”

Air Traffic Control 120

Air Traffic Control Clearance Runway Jet 120

One Mile at a Time

JULY 20, 2024

Around 2hr50min after departure, the plane was on approach to runway 10 at Tampa Airport. As the plane was coming in over Tampa Bay, while around four miles from the runway, it descended as low as 150 feet, according to ADS-B data. Worst of all, the pilots didn’t even seem to realize what was going on.

Air Traffic Control 141

Air Traffic Control Altimeter Runway Weather 141

Flight Training Central

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024

From Sporty’s VFR Communications online course Flying to and from an airport in Class D airspace is one of the more common communication scenarios a pilot will encounter. This means you need to contact the tower on the appropriate frequency and receive clearance to enter. This helps prevent miscommunication.

Clearance 97

Clearance Runway Weather Approach 97

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 12, 2025

In the United States, an average of 1,600 runway incursions occur annually. According to FAA data, general aviation (GA) pilots are responsible for almost half of these events. Yet, despite the FAA citing runway incursion reduction as one of their top priorities, we have not seen a sustained or substantial reduction in occurrences.

Runway 52

Runway Clearance Air Traffic Control Pilot 52

Flight Training Central

MAY 14, 2024

Editor’s Note: The following scenario is from the VFR Communications Manual from Pilot Workshops. To taxi from the ramp to the runway at a towered airport, (across the “movement area”), you need to receive a taxi clearance from the Ground controller. These are marked in brown on runway charts with “HS” with a number.

Runway 52

Runway Pilot Clearance AGL 52

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 23, 2024

For an instrument pilot, though, there is one key difference between a smaller, non-towered airport and a larger one with an air traffic control tower: obtaining an IFR clearance. Call for your IFR clearance, including route, altitude, and transponder code. Here are three ways to get a clearance at a non-towered airport.

Clearance 52

Clearance Air Traffic Control Airplanes Transponder 52

Air Facts

DECEMBER 18, 2024

In those years, I never missed a trip as a commuter, never scratched the paint on one of our airplanes, never got an FAA violation, never injured a passenger, and never had a less than cordial conversation with the chief pilot. After my rude dismissal from United, I fell into the most beautiful retirement job an old pilot could ever find.

Clearance 96

Clearance Airplanes Annual Inspection Pilot 96

One Mile at a Time

JULY 11, 2024

At 1:26PM local time, the aircraft took off from Milan Malpensa Airport’s runway 35L. However, while rotating, the jet struck its tail on the runway. As a result, runway 35L was closed for inspection. Flight performed a fuel dump and landed safely at 12:50 UTC on runway 35R. So, what happened here?

Tail 118

Tail Runway UTC Clearance 118

AV Web

AUGUST 7, 2024

ATC recordings and ADS-B data show the aircraft was on the Fisk arrival when the pilot was directed to make a wider turn to accommodate an L-29 and an L-39 that were landing in front of him. The pilot confirmed he had them “in sight” and initiated a left turn. miles from the end of runway 36L, catching fire and destroying the plane.

Clearance 98

Clearance Runway Weather Pilot 98

Universal Weather

FEBRUARY 3, 2025

While this location is convenient in terms of access to the city, SBRJ is not an AOE, has limited GA parking, and only a 4341-foot runway. Clearance procedure involves arrival security inspection of hand luggage and clearing passport control followed by a screening of checked baggage.

Clearance 92

Clearance General Aviation Runway Pilot 92

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. Kentland has a 4,000-foot runway, east/west, with a crosswind straight out of the north. What the…? No complaints.

Weather 75

Weather Runway Knot Rudder 75

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 17, 2024

These systems are designed to help you stay on the correct glide path as you approach the runway. The Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI) is a Visual Glide Slope Indicator (VGSI) placed near a runway to help you land safely. Two-Bar VASI As the name suggests, the two-bar VASI uses two sets of lights placed alongside the runway.

Runway 98

Runway Approach Threshold Clearance 98

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 27, 2024

Multiple Cessna 172RGs made me a better pilot Air Facts Journal Experience makes you a better and safer pilot. This is my early experience path to improvement as a pilot and it has made me safer and more confident. I requested permission to land, and received a clearance to land “any runway, any direction, any time.”

Pilot 98

Pilot Descent Runway Crosswind 98

Flight Training Central

OCTOBER 14, 2024

Pilots should always be evaluating alternate airports. One of the most important skills pilots must continue to hone is sound decision-making. Though it’s rare, your destination airport could become unusable due to a thunderstorm moving in, or a disabled airplane on the runway.

Ceiling 98

Ceiling Pilot Weather Approach 98

Northstar VFR

MAY 9, 2024

Radio communication is a very intimidating skill for many new pilots. After my husband and I both became Private Pilots , we moved across the country, and our home airport became a very busy Class C airport, which included a control tower, commercial and business jets , and heavy helicopter tour traffic.

Pilot 81

Pilot Air Traffic Control Aeronautical Information Manual Clearance 81

Flying Magazine

APRIL 25, 2024

During these events, it’s quite common for a pilot to walk up and ask me about how I handled my most challenging flight as it relates to weather. I don’t have such a story since I am always diligent about minimizing my exposure to adverse weather when I am the pilot in command (PIC). READ MORE: Go or Stay?

Weather 108

Weather Wind Shear Clearance Turbulence 108

Professional Pilot

AUGUST 8, 2024

The request to make a short approach or maintain a higher-than-normal speed to the final approach fix is the most common reason pilots don’t meet stable approach criteria. Aviation writers and safety pundits hate writing about this topic as much as pilots hate reading about it. Houston, we have a problem. Yet here we are.

Approach 105

Approach Descent Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) Runway 105