Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 31, 2024

Compared to standard landings, no-flaps landings require certain adjustments in aircraft handling, such as: Higher approach speeds (5-10 knots faster than normal). Flatter approach angle (due to less drag). For example, in a Cessna 172S, the approach speed increases from 60-70 knots with full flaps to 65-75 knots without flaps.

Pilot 52

Pilot Drag Descent Approach 52

Plane and Pilot

FEBRUARY 28, 2025

To cope with these challenges, airline glass flight decks contain a vertical navigation function (VNAV) that keeps the autopilot, and the crew, on the right path to arrive at the final approach fix, or downwind leg, at speed and on altitude. A towered airport with an approach control can make this quite easy. When to Start Down?

Descent 54

Descent Approach Final Approach Turbulence 54

Photographic Logbook

FEBRUARY 2, 2025

Over the last three years, The Bear has expressed great interest in visiting Alton Bay, the only FAA-authorized ice runway in the continental United States. A very brief 2022 season for the ice runway eliminated opportunities to return that year. I pointed to the ice runway as we cleared terrain hiding it. There it is!"

Runway 89

Runway Knot Weather Turbulence 89

Fear of Landing

APRIL 19, 2024

It shows the helicopter flying normally, aligned to the runway, and then begin a gentle climb. The helicopter turned left to return to the airport, travelling at about 85 knots. The pilot told the airport tower controller that he may need the runway. The indicated airspeed had fallen below 65 knots and was still decreasing.

Torque 98

Torque Indicated Airspeed Tail Knot 98

Flying Magazine

APRIL 26, 2024

Left downwind on a blustery day with live weather actually shows a virga burst over the field, with local winds gusting 36 knots, making for some extreme conditions in such a tight canyon. On the downwind to the westerly runway at LOWI, I experienced a lot of up and down drafts, shear, varying winds, and sloppy controls.

Crosswind 105

Crosswind Weather Knot Aileron 105

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024

This is not an instrument procedure, but rather a way to enter the traffic pattern when approaching from the opposite side of the runway. In other words, how you get to the runway is mostly a matter of manners , not regulations. The AFH specifically recommends overflying the pattern by two miles before turning inbound.

Crosswind 98

Crosswind Airplanes Runway Approach 98

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 16, 2024

But landing it safely on the runway is a skill. Brief that you will use the right rudder to align the aircraft straight with the runway and the left aileron to counteract drift. This allows you to configure appropriately and ensures a stabilized approach. Take your ground speed in knots and divide it by two.

Airplanes 52

Airplanes Descent Approach Runway 52

Photographic Logbook

JUNE 1, 2024

In my case, I reached a midfield left downwind simultaneously with another Cherokee on a right midfield downwind for the same strip of pavement, runway 2. As I watched the other aircraft make a turning descent toward the runway numbers, I wondered if the tower was going to want to call my base as a way of sequencing us.

Runway 88

Runway Approach Airplanes Turbulence 88

Air Facts

MARCH 26, 2025

The airspeed indicator registered 55 knots, close to the Cessna 172s stall speed. But as I banked into my final approach, my heart sank. Just before touching down, I checked my airspeed and the pit in my stomach deepened: 85 knots far above the 172s normal landing speed of 65 knots. I had failed my instructor.

Knot 52

Knot Runway Pilot Tail 52

Ask Captain Lim

DECEMBER 11, 2024

Recently, the pilot of a Malaysia Airlines A350 earned praise on social media for expertly handling a demanding final approach in London’s Heathrow Airport during a storm that struck Britain. In contrast, Boeing aircraft often use the wing-low technique, maintaining alignment with the runway throughout the approach and landing.

Crosswind 52

Crosswind Pilot Approach Final Approach 52

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 25, 2024

The RNAV approach to the 7,000-foot Runway 31 that snakes around from the Runway 4 extended centerline, loops past Citi Field, and rolls out on a tight-in final approach. We were cleared for the approach and throwing out the landing gear over Queens when a pesky amber caution message popped up: antiskid fail.

Runway 52

Runway Approach Knot Jet 52

Pilot Institute

JULY 12, 2024

Flying the Approach Haphazard approaches are very likely to lead to haphazard landings. You can only begin improving the touchdown if you’ve mastered positioning your aircraft above the runway threshold correctly. The easiest way to achieve this is by flying a stabilized approach. Flying at 60 knots?

Descent 52

Descent Weight-Shift-Control Crosswind Runway 52

Pilot Institute

SEPTEMBER 24, 2024

The aerials are at the runway’s landing end. Where these beams intercept is the centreline of the approach. There can be up to three marker beacons on an approach: Outer Marker (flashes blue) – Represents the Final Approach Fix and/or glideslope intercept. Category B: 91 knots to less than 121 knots.

Approach 52

Approach Knot Runway Distance Measuring Equipment 52

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 13, 2024

A bounced landing is a condition where the aircraft lands on the runway, but instead of rolling on the surface after touchdown, it rebounds/bounces off the ground. This can happen for several reasons: Landing Too Fast At high speeds, your aircraft may be unable to slow down enough before touching down on the runway.

Descent 52

Descent Runway Rudder Pilot 52

Photographic Logbook

APRIL 19, 2024

But a wall of haze ahead did not bode well for the arrival to Northeast Philadelphia and the airport ATIS (automatic terminal information service) indicated that arrivals were using the RNAV instrument approach procedure to runway 6. I intercepted the approach course and after a few moments, reached the final approach fix at JUNIA.

Approach 69

Approach Wind Shear Runway VOR 69

Photographic Logbook

SEPTEMBER 24, 2023

Even slowed by a 25 knot headwind, the airplane still saved time. As we maneuvered for the approach, we passed through an invisible rain shower in the darkness of sufficient vigor that the sound of rain ticking on the windshield penetrated our headsets. Ground team!

Instrument Meteorological Conditions 52

Instrument Meteorological Conditions Approach Final Approach Airplanes 52

Air Facts

APRIL 24, 2024

After a few minutes of flying through the “chop,” our runway was in sight. Then, descending through just a few hundred feet AGL, and a few hundred yards from the end of the runway, the turbulence diminished. That was the longest, most terrifying final approach—actually the only terrifying final approach—I’ve ever experienced.

Turbulence 52

Turbulence Wind Shear Final Approach Ceiling 52

Chess In the Air

JULY 4, 2022

Sometimes the wind socks at both ends of the runway point in opposite directions! Rapidly approaching cold fronts (or other fronts, e.g. sea breeze fronts). In certain conditions blowing dust (a “ haboob “) can make an approaching front easily visible. That does very little when you’re in 10-20 knot sink.

Wind Shear 52

Wind Shear AGL Lift Runway 52

Charles Ryan's Flying Adventure

DECEMBER 20, 2023

Window shot photos After 2 hours of delay, we were finally on our way. The taxi to the runway took around 5 minutes. This is to slow our aircraft down and we have to maintain the speed of less than 250 knots when flying below 10,000 feet. At this point, we were lined up for our final approach into KUL runway 33.

Airlines 52

Airlines Airline Weather Runway 52

Charles Ryan's Flying Adventure

OCTOBER 10, 2023

Rolling down the runway in this gloomy weather. Speedbrakes were applied as we have to slow down below 250 knots when we are flying at 10,000 feet and below. The flaps are all out this means one thing, we are on final approach. This is the Loft, the seating area for Upper Class passengers to relax.

Airlines 52

Airlines Airline Runway Tarmac 52

AeroSavvy

AUGUST 20, 2021

I configured the airplane the same way as noted on the Piper Climb chart: 105 mph (91 knots), flaps 10 ° , full throttle. Time To Fly Our aircraft can cruise for about 4 ½ hours plus an hour of reserve fuel at 130 knots. After 50 minutes, we were taxiing to the runway. Our initial climb rate was 500-600 feet/minute.

Density Altitude 52

Density Altitude OAT Airplanes Fixed Base Operator 52

Aerotime

JULY 19, 2024

The approach to Sioux City With the aircraft at a range of about nine miles from touchdown at Sioux City, the crew made visual contact with the airport. During the final approach, Haynes noted a high sink rate alarm from the aircraft’s ground proximity warning syst em (GPWS).

Runway 301

Runway Horizontal Stabilizer Airlines Airline 301

AV Web

JANUARY 22, 2025

The airplane came to rest about 1600 feet from the Runway 31 threshold and about 250 feet right of the extended centerline. Winds were from 290 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 21 knots. Yet all indications are he succumbed to a simple stall on final approach. The private pilot was fatally injured.

Final Approach 52

Final Approach Airplanes Drag Crosswind 52

Photographic Logbook

OCTOBER 11, 2024

As I passed Kelley's Island, wind streaks in the water out of the southwest indicated a wind of six to eight knots, exactly as forecast. Closer to South Bass Island, the Put-In-Bay Airport (runways 3-21) appeared along the southeastern shore. Moments before turning final for runway 21 at Put-In-Bay. South Bass Island.

Runway 82

Runway Approach Knot Drag 82

Fear of Landing

JUNE 14, 2024

Photograph by Robert Frola (GFDL) via Wikimedia Commons Murwillumbah Airfield has a 19/01 grass strip which the report gives as 1,045 metres (3,428 feet), however, it is commonly listed as 800 metres as it has a displaced threshold of 245 metres on runway 19, because of industrial buildings and trees at the northern end.

Threshold 91

Threshold Runway Approach Pilot 91

Photographic Logbook

JANUARY 25, 2025

When bay ice consistently thickens to over 12 inches, a team of dedicated volunteers collaborates with the New Hampshire Department of Transportation to open the Alton Bay Ice Runway. Over the years, its coveted status as the only FAA-authorized ice runway in the continental United States has endeared it to aviators seeking novelty.

Runway 68

Runway Airplanes Threshold Approach 68

Professional Pilot

DECEMBER 10, 2024

As we approached YYT, it went down below ILS minimums, and we had to divert once more to YZV (Sept-les QC, Canada) while rapidly running out of fuel and ideas in the morning hours after a long flight. Fortunately, there is a runway at the end of every ILS. If an airport has a single runway, its always possible it may close.

Weather 98

Weather Approach Descent Runway 98

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024

Airspeed variations with weight in light general aviation aircraft are only a handful of knots, so it’s easy to fly the published slow speed when light, the faster speed when heavy, and something in the middle when the aircraft weight is something in the middle. Turning final, I was still way, way high. No math required.

General Aviation 98

General Aviation Pilot Approach Airplanes 98

Pilot Institute

JUNE 26, 2024

A go-around is a maneuver performed to abort or reject a landing on the final approach or once the aircraft has already touched down. These include a runway collision, porpoising, bouncing, or possible overrun. ATC can also ask for a go-around if the landing runway is unsafe or for spacing reasons. What Is a Go-Around?

Wind Shear 52

Wind Shear Runway Approach Aeronautical Decision-Making 52

Air Facts

OCTOBER 7, 2024

Instrument panel of the T-34B With its 225-hp engine and constant speed prop, 240 knot maximum indicated airspeed, and built for positive 6 and negative 3Gs, it was both highly maneuverable and forgiving with no nasty characteristics that could get neophyte students in trouble. The Navy’s primary trainer was the T-34B.

Cockpit 98

Cockpit Rudder Tail Indicated Airspeed 98

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 2, 2024

I checked the weather by phone and was assured it would be great CAVU (ceiling and visibility unlimited) with 2-3-knot winds from 090 degrees. Turning final, I set up myself with what is now my runway. About 5 miles out, I contacted Lawson Tower, which cleared me for a straight-in to Runway 15. It was time to turn base.

Runway 67

Runway Threshold Approach AGL 67

Chess In the Air

JUNE 24, 2022

I was listening intently to the ASOS for wind or gusts, letting it repeat 5 or 6 times with the exact same report: 9 kts straight down the runway; no gusts. That was the runway we would use to land. It’s worth noting that Shmulik had a close call in the past: a jet pulled onto the runway in front of him with no radio call.

Pilot 52

Pilot AGL Wind Shear Runway 52

Photographic Logbook

AUGUST 20, 2023

I flew to my hometown against a 30 knot headwind that stretched the flight time to just over three hours. The sun was setting as I sped down Oakland County International's runway 27L and took to a sky suffused with a ruddy evening glow. At the fuel pump in Sodus preparing for departure.

Runway 52

Runway Airplanes Approach Final Approach 52

Air Facts

DECEMBER 11, 2024

Perhaps knowing that a sudden loss of engine power loss leads to a decay of airspeed at the rate of 15 knots in two to three seconds and that means you only have two to three seconds to decide. The next vector to me from ATC for the base leg to the RNAV Runway 22 to Caldwell Airport. What would that plan be?

Groundspeed 52

Groundspeed Lift Approach True Airspeed 52

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 15, 2025

The jet slammed into the ground six thousand feet short of the runway, taking the lives of 134 people. Detecting them is difficult, which makes final approach and landing especially dangerous. If you dont act immediately, you could be forced into an uncontrollable descent before you even reach the runway.

Wind Shear 66

Wind Shear Weather Descent Approach 66

Aerotime

NOVEMBER 25, 2024

2024, a Boeing 737-400 freighter operated by Swift Air of Spain on behalf of global logistics giant DHL crashed on final approach into Vilnius Airport (VNO) in Lithuania, the aircraft’s intended destination. However, having descended down the glideslope to 650ft and traveling at 150 knots, the flight data comes to an abrupt stop.

Final Approach 337

Final Approach Approach Instrument Landing System Runway 337

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 13, 2024

/hp Engine: Rotax 912iSC3, 4-cylinder, opposed, air and liquid cooled, normally aspirated, gear-reduction drive, fuel-injected, 100 hp Propeller: MT composite, two-blade, constant-speed Maximum Cruise Speed: 117 knots Range, Max Range Power: 950 nm Rate of Climb, Sea Level: 750 fpm Max operating Altitude: 13,000 ft. Takeoff Over 50-ft.

Knot 94

Knot Airplanes Rudder Gross Weight 94