Air Facts

APRIL 29, 2024

A pit stop at North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (KCRE) was planned, and after a weather briefing, I filed an IFR flight plan. The Mooney is well-equipped for weather avoidance as it is equipped with a sophisticated spheric lighting detector. I requested a descent from 6,000’ down to 4,000’ and was denied due to traffic.

Descent 96

Descent Approach Weather AGL 96

Fear of Landing

MAY 24, 2024

Flightradar24 have commented that many analyses are including the descent from 37,000 to 31,000 feet as caused by the turbulence. In fact, the descent to 31,000 feet was flown by the flight crew as the start of the planned emergency descent to Bangkok. I can’t find the sigmet for the time of flight. Stay safe folks.

Turbulence 88

Turbulence UTC Airline Airlines 88

Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 12, 2024

Since static pressure changes with altitude and weather, the static port provides a constant reading of the current atmospheric pressure. The atmospheric, or static pressure, varies with altitude and weather. As the name implies, the VSI shows the rate of the aircrafts climb or descent. Together, this is called total pressure.

Pitot Tube 97

Pitot Tube Altimeter Airplanes Descent 97

Ask Captain Lim

MAY 31, 2024

The incident was attributed to the swift transition between climb and descent and not the actual change in altitude. The rates of climb and descent were not excessive, being only half of the typical rates during normal take-off and descent. Turbulent clouds are visible on weather radar, and pilots avoid them at all costs.

Turbulence 64

Turbulence Descent Cabin Crew Weather 64

Air Facts

MAY 10, 2024

ICAO minima for circling approaches is much higher than that stipulated in the FARs so consider higher weather minima. We also benefit from the latest weather updates. Perhaps just prior to the start of descent could be the optimum time–certainly completed no later than commencement of approach. What is the runway lighting?

Approach 96

Approach AGL Descent Runway 96

Fear of Landing

JUNE 21, 2024

The flight seemed routine until the flight crew started the final descent from 34,000 feet. A representative of Austrian Airlines said on Austrian television that the thunderstorm cell was not visible on the aircraft’s weather radar. Specifically, that weather radar struggles with very cold/icy storms.

Airline 94

Airline Airlines Weather Cockpit 94

Air Facts

JULY 31, 2024

On that day, the weather forecast was favorable, with light and variable winds. I checked the weather updates, which still showed no significant changes. I communicated my intentions and began my descent. This time, I planned a different route, one that would take me around the worst of the weather. The landing was rough.

Turbulence 95

Turbulence Approach Weather Descent 95

Aerotime

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

These figures are vital for the crew to be able to calculate the actual take-off speed of the airplane in the prevailing weather conditions (as we’ll see later). This data can then also be loaded into the aircraft’s flight management system for aircraft performance calculations. Part two will soon be available on AeroTime.

Cabin Crew 268

Cabin Crew Runway Clearance Knot 268

Flight Training Central

MAY 28, 2024

VFR approaches to land at night should be accomplished with a steeper descent. Share your results : Facebook Facebook Twitter Google+ Want to learn more about aviation weather theory? To set pilot-controlled runway lights on medium intensity, the pilot should click the microphone one time within four seconds. at a higher airspeed.

Crosswind 98

Crosswind Runway Air Traffic Control Clearance 98

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 23, 2024

The weather at O’Hare was IFR and the airport was using the ILS to runway 14L. I advised the first officer to change the decision altitude of 852 feet to the minimum descent altitude of 1,140 feet and that we would continue the approach to localizer approach minimums. This also included the instructors and the check airmen.

Approach 98

Approach Checkride Descent Cockpit 98

Charles Ryan's Flying Adventure

AUGUST 2, 2024

There were a few good bumps during take off and more of it during the descent especially flying through the clouds. Anyway, during the descent, there was quite a bit of bumps and that also includes a sudden downdraft that made me hold on to the seat in front of me, I dislike this feeling to be honest.

Descent 102

Descent Runway Cabin Crew Weather 102

Air Facts

NOVEMBER 25, 2024

Climb/descent within the block can be made at the discretion of the pilot. However, once the pilot starts descent and verbally reports leaving an altitude in the block, the pilot may not return to that altitude without additional ATC clearance. The pilot may level off at any intermediate altitude within this block of airspace.

Clearance 96

Clearance NOTAMs VOR Descent 96

Pilot's Life Blog

JANUARY 5, 2025

The pre-landing check is the first step in ensuring the aircraft is ready for a stable descent. Review current weather conditions, including wind speed, direction, and visibility, as these can significantly impact the approach. Additionally, configure the aircraft for a stable descent.

Descent 52

Descent Final Approach Approach Runway 52

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 27, 2024

FAA weather charts can help for higher altitudes but when just a few thousand feet agl, they may be less useful. Great Falls weather is fair and warm. Flight idle and nose down, which normally produced a 2,000-3,000-feet descent rate, resulted in a 2,000-feet-per-minute climb. Lessons learned, some forgotten. What had I missed?

Turbulence 73

Turbulence Weather Knot Descent 73

Plane and Pilot

JANUARY 5, 2025

It was a dark night, but otherwise the islands enjoyed the good VFR weather we picture for a tropical oasis. The roll was not checked by the pilot and continued past 60 degrees of bank and the descent rate increased. Extreme aerodynamic stresses of the out-of-control descent eventually caused the tail to separate.

Clearance 73

Clearance Pilot Cockpit Descent 73

Fear of Landing

DECEMBER 6, 2024

A few hours later, the pilot obtained a weather briefing and filed an IFR flight plan before departing Westchester to fly back to Montgomery County. By now, it was dark and the weather in Gaithersburg had deteriorated with fog and low cloud ceilings. The controller confirmed a descent to 3,000 feet, the minimum safe altitude for BEGKA.

Approach 86

Approach Runway Air Traffic Control Descent 86

iPad Pilot News

DECEMBER 17, 2024

ForeFlight ForeFlight first got its start as a weather app on iPhone and quickly grew into a full-featured EFB app as the iPad gained popularity among pilots. Garmin Pilot Compared to ForeFlights start as a weather app, Garmins roots have always been in GPS navigation, and thats where this app really excels.

Pilot 105

Pilot Weather Flight Plan Approach 105

Fear of Landing

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024

The weather was overcast for the flight route, with cloud tops reaching temperatures forecast from 0° to -35°C (32° to -31°F). The captain made a passenger announcement to give the Guarulhos weather information and estimated time left in the flight. The controller advised that their descent would be authorised in the next two minutes.

Knot 91

Knot Approach Descent Weather 91

Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 4, 2024

VNAV adds automated vertical guidance to approaches, reducing pilot workload during descents. That’s because each one assists you in navigating to the runway based on the weather and your aircraft equipment. It calculates a descent route to maintain a stable approach from the initial approach fix to touchdown.

Approach 52

Approach Descent Weather VOR 52

Fear of Landing

JUNE 7, 2024

The gate agent remembered that the weather was terrible: thunderstorms with rain and hail. The bad weather continued to plague them and the crew were concerned about the lightning, icing and turbulence associated with thunderstorms. The controller cleared the flight and said their descent clearance was being processed.

Cabin Crew 97

Cabin Crew Weather Descent Clearance 97

Pilot's Life Blog

JANUARY 12, 2025

Weather Assessment Weather conditions significantly impact flight safety. Before flying, you need to evaluate wind speeds, visibility, and potential weather changes. Understanding weather reports and recognizing patterns ensures you can adjust your plans accordingly. Do small planes have autopilot?

Weather 52

Weather Pilot Rudder Drag 52

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 12, 2024

The en route weather is IMC. However, during the descent on an ILS approach, you encounter VMC prior to reaching the initial approach fix. the ILS approach can be credited regardless of actual weather if you are issued an IFR clearance. When is an IFR clearance required during VFR weather conditions? 30 minutes.

Instrument Flight Rules 52

Instrument Flight Rules Ceiling Descent Approach 52

Plane and Pilot

JANUARY 14, 2025

On the initial descent, weather radar painted areas of moderate to heavy precipitation ahead. But its weather radar was off. On May 24, Drdano, along with first officer Dionisio Lopez, was operating TACA Flight 110 from Belize City to New Orleans. The crew chose to thread the needle between the worst two cells.

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Pilot Flight Deck Weather Descent 63

iPad Pilot News

JANUARY 7, 2025

For example, ForeFlight presents both visual pop-up and aural alerts for runway proximity, traffic, cabin altitude, destination weather, terrain, TFRs, final approach runway, low altitude, traffic conflicts and more. Many apps include audio-specific features that are difficult to hear from your iPad’s speakers in the noisy cockpit.

Pilot 96

Pilot Airplanes Descent Cockpit 96

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 19, 2024

Understanding both traditional and GPS-integrated methods gives you more options in various weather conditions. So, you must manage the descent and altitude using the VORs published step-down fixes and minimum descent altitudes (MDAs). Follow published descent altitudes from the approach chart. Minimum descent altitude.

VOR 52

VOR Approach Descent Final Approach 52

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 6, 2024

Maybe it’s the Georgia flying weather, or maybe it’s the ever-increasing emphasis on “old” pilot instead of “bold” pilot, but it seems that flight planning these days is a lot more about if and when than about route and altitude. The weather looked good, except there was a thunderstorm forecast for Houston. I scrambled and packed.

Airplanes 67

Airplanes Weather Ceiling Turbulence 67

Flying Magazine

APRIL 26, 2024

It is not uncommon for air traffic control to pose this question to pilots on IFR flight plans approaching certain airports when the weather is VFR. But throw in weather, fatigue, low light, pilot unfamiliarity, and a circle to land, and it’s a different event.

Approach 92

Approach Air Traffic Control Runway Flight Deck 92

AV Web

MAY 22, 2024

Also, other than mention in reports of “minor” convective activity in the area, not much information is available on weather, including bottoms of the clouds, which could be an important factor. Radar contact was lost some 3,500 feet lower, airspeed and rate of descent not known, but presumably at a significant increase.

Tail 89

Tail Instrument Meteorological Conditions Knot Groundspeed 89

Pilot's Life Blog

JANUARY 12, 2025

However, flying a small plane often means operating at much lower altitudes, usually between 5,000 and 10,000 feet, depending on weather conditions, terrain, and air traffic. When flying a small plane, staying within the appropriate altitude ensures better control and a more comfortable experience, especially in turbulent weather.

Weight-Shift-Control 52

Weight-Shift-Control Air Traffic Control Turbulence Weather 52

Northstar VFR

JANUARY 4, 2023

The FAA requires under Part 91, that within the TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast) period between 1 hour before and after, the weather at the airport of intended landing must show ceilings of at least 2,000ft AGL and 3 statute miles of visibility, to preclude the filing of an alternate. Forecasts are predictions and are not always accurate.

Instrument Meteorological Conditions 52

Instrument Meteorological Conditions Ceiling Approach Weather 52

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 6, 2024

You’ve checked the weather and planned your route. This is the true story of N4467D and its ill-fated encounter with severe weather. Key Takeaways Weather can change faster than your technology can show. Weather tools are helpful, but you can’t rely on them alone. His XM Weather showed an orange or red zone.

Weather 52

Weather Turbulence Pilot Airplanes 52

AV Web

JANUARY 8, 2025

My first major consideration is weather. Good forecasted weather. A 500-fpm descent from 10,000 feet to a sea-level airport takes 20 minutes. For an instrument flight, its still one hour, with an alternate 20 minutes away: Thats 10 gallons for the planned flight, 3.5 gallons (rounded up) to reach the alternate airport and 7.5

Payload 77

Payload Airplanes Approach Descent 77

AV Web

MAY 22, 2024

Also, other than mention in reports of “minor” convective activity in the area, not much information is available on weather, including bottoms of the clouds, which could be an important factor. Radar contact was lost some 3,500 feet lower; airspeed and rate of descent not known, but presumably at a significant increase.

Tail 78

Tail Instrument Meteorological Conditions Knot Groundspeed 78

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 16, 2024

Weather It’s a good idea to brief any weather that could make your landing more challenging. Descent Point Nominate a descent point that will give you a constant 3° profile to the threshold. We can calculate the rate of descent required to achieve a 3° profile. We also start our descent from the circuit altitude.

Airplanes 52

Airplanes Descent Approach Runway 52

Northstar VFR

JUNE 30, 2024

However, the static pressure around the pitot tube is constantly changing due to altitude and weather. One thing a pilot must keep in mind is that changes in weather conditions along their route causes changes in the atmospheric pressure, regardless of maintaining the same indicated altitude. The opposite happens as the plane descends.

Pitot Tube 73

Pitot Tube Altimeter Instrument Meteorological Conditions Descent 73

Air Facts

JUNE 12, 2024

We soon reached 17,000 feet and then started our descent while looking into Maui’s Haleakala Crater. Scattered white fair-weather clouds set off the deep blue of the Pacific and the various shades of luscious green on the mountains. The Islands showed Joe their very best on this perfect day.

Air Traffic Control 98

Air Traffic Control Descent Runway Thrust 98

Air Facts

JUNE 5, 2024

Dad once chuckled as he told me the other Pig Pilots kidded him about his circling descents from 8,000 feet over the airport at Phnom Penh to avoid attracting small arms fire. A Douglas C-47, part of the Congolese Air Force in the 1970s, when it was known as the Zairian Air Force. There aren’t many of those around anymore.

Pilot 98

Pilot Hangar Runway Approach 98