Air Facts
APRIL 14, 2025
Two More Concept Failures One recent general aviation fad that did not catch on, fortunately, was the continuous turn from downwind to final approach. There are many factors in play, but the short version is that a continuous turn to final is just a conventional traffic pattern with a really short base leg.
Flying Magazine
MAY 3, 2024
The accident happened as the pilot was attempting to fly the RNAV 20 approach, which takes the aircraft directly over the potato processing plant with numerous vent stacks constantly in operation. The standard for airspeed after passing the final approach fix was 120 kias indicated, according to the Flight Maneuvers Description Manual (FMDM).
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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. Both of these approaches work with one significant caution. When to Start Down?
Pilot Institute
MARCH 6, 2025
VORTAC – VHF Omni-directional Range/Tactical Air Navigation VORTAC is a navigational aid operating in the VHF band that is used to provide guidance along airways, air traffic service routes, and intermediate and final approach tracks. It consists of two independent components VOR and TACAN.
Air Facts
OCTOBER 14, 2024
As we got crossed the final approach fix, the rain shaft grew. Ah, a wind shear and a lot worse was going to mess with our landing. I asked the pilot to declare a missed approach and request vectors back for another ILS. I asked the pilot to declare a missed approach and request vectors back for another ILS.
Chess In the Air
JULY 4, 2022
Considering the delay in the AWOS reporting, it may also be helpful to proactively use the radio to ask anyone on the ground for the current winds (e.g. Microbursts are not the only source of severe wind-shear close to the ground. Sudden and very powerful surface winds can have various other causes. the local FBO).
Air Facts
APRIL 24, 2024
That was the longest, most terrifying final approach—actually the only terrifying final approach—I’ve ever experienced. While I have speculated here as to causes (wind shear or severe turbulence—you may judge), we, in hindsight, would have been well served to have departed earlier, getting farther “ahead of it.”
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