Pilot Institute

JULY 12, 2024

Learn to use aircraft references to establish a stable descent rate and pitch, ending up in a smooth roundout and flare. You can only begin improving the touchdown if you’ve mastered positioning your aircraft above the runway threshold correctly. 60 x 5 = 300 feet per minute is your recommended descent rate. Flying at 60 knots?

Descent 52

Descent Weight-Shift-Control Crosswind Runway 52

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 23, 2024

Fifteen hundred feet past the end of the runway, a pilot was trapped in the cockpit of an Extra NG. ATC rolled the emergency vehicles and cleared her to land straight in on Runway 13, wind 080 at 6 knots, with the wingman flying escort. Data shows a constant high-speed descent straight toward the runway.

Knot 86

Knot Runway Pilot Air Traffic Control 86

Air Facts

APRIL 29, 2024

At the current groundspeed, I believed it shouldn’t be of much concern unless the cell began producing lightning. 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.

Descent 71

Descent Approach Weather Runway 71

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 23, 2024

Fifteen hundred feet past the end of the runway, a pilot was trapped in the cockpit of an Extra NG. ATC rolled the emergency vehicles and cleared her to land straight in on Runway 13, wind 080 at 6 knots, with the wingman flying escort. Data shows a constant high-speed descent straight toward the runway.

Knot 52

Knot Runway Pilot Air Traffic Control 52

Air Facts

MAY 10, 2024

Perhaps just prior to the start of descent could be the optimum time–certainly completed no later than commencement of approach. Recall that we must remain at or above MDA until we are in a normal position to perform a normal rate of descent to landing. What is the runway lighting? What is the calculated landing distance?

Approach 70

Approach AGL Descent Runway 70

Air Facts

AUGUST 21, 2024

More turns, steep banks, and soon enough I spot her orange kayak in the lake just off the end of runway 9. My Sonex cruises about 130 mph at this power setting, but headed southeast into the wind I am losing an easy 15 mph on my groundspeed. I make the turn off the runway, another radio call, and I taxi to the pumps.

Runway 75

Runway Groundspeed Approach Crosswind 75