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. The tower frequency had been near silent, with only the occasional pilot checking in, curtly told, “Airport is closed, emergency in progress.” They were inverted in a Florida marsh, and the brackish water was rising. Long pause.

Knot 94

Knot Runway Pilot Groundspeed 94

Air Facts

JULY 17, 2024

With groundspeed above 185 kts., In other words, this was a great time to be flying–truly a pilot’s dream flight. The four-seat Archer was in need of a long-legged flight and so was the pilot. His come back was “You are a pilot and are trained to stay calm.” So that didn’t work.

Groundspeed 98

Groundspeed Turbulence Knot Pilot 98

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 27, 2024

As a relatively new pilot , I had failed to see the bigger picture. As a mountain-bred pilot, I’ve always enjoyed observing the ridges and valleys from on high and low. Eighty-knot tailwinds aloft and higher-than-normal temperature difference between the surface and aloft. That day was different. What had I missed?

Turbulence 98

Turbulence Weather Knot Descent 98

Pilot Institute

JANUARY 21, 2025

Takeoff, landing, and stall speeds listed in the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) / Pilots Operating Handbook (POH) are IAS and do not normally vary with altitude or temperature. At certain airspeeds and with certain flap settings, the installation and instrument errors may total several knots. A pilot can find TAS by two methods.

Calibrated Airspeed 93

Calibrated Airspeed True Airspeed Indicated Airspeed Airplanes 93

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 4, 2024

The 58-year-old pilot had about 7,000 hours of flight time, built up as a respected Marine Corps F/A-18 fighter pilot and United Airlines first officer. Taking off from the Henderson Executive Airport (KHND), the pilot flew a straight track over the desert for about 9 miles. The NTSB is clear on the probable cause.

Descent 77

Descent Airplanes Knot Groundspeed 77

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

Air Facts

AUGUST 16, 2024

Back in the late 90s the FBO at the time (Atlantic) had crew cars for transient pilots. With a screaming tailwind, I was seeing a groundspeed of 185 kts at 6,500 feet. It still has lots of aviation including vendors, pilots and enthusiasts. On the other side of the wave, the airspeed increased to 150 knots.

Weather 98

Weather Knot Ceiling Turbulence 98

iPad Pilot News

SEPTEMBER 3, 2024

How to use the Sentry Plus advanced features iPad Pilot News Portable ADS-B receivers have become essential gear for most pilots flying with an iPad these days, providing ADS-B traffic/weather and GPS navigation. The post How to use the Sentry Plus advanced features first appeared on iPad Pilot News.

Groundspeed 52

Groundspeed Airplanes Knot Pilot 52

Flight Training Central

MARCH 4, 2024

The entry into the maneuver should be accomplished downwind as you would enter the traffic pattern where groundspeed will be the greatest. The turn from the downwind leg onto the base leg is entered with a relatively steep bank angle since the groundspeed is greatest.

Groundspeed 52

Groundspeed Crosswind Aileron Rudder 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. The tower frequency had been near silent, with only the occasional pilot checking in, curtly told, “Airport is closed, emergency in progress.” They were inverted in a Florida marsh, and the brackish water was rising. Long pause.

Knot 52

Knot Runway Pilot Groundspeed 52

Air Facts

DECEMBER 30, 2024

This was the actual conversation that started the journey for this green commercial pilot. The year was 2017, and I was two months into my first pilot job flying skydivers in the C182 at a small Canadian drop zone, when my boss approached me with this question. “What?

Weather 98

Weather Approach VFR On Top Knot 98

Air Facts

OCTOBER 14, 2024

From light turbulence which causes a minor change in the lateral, longitudinal and vertical axis through moderate turbulence where the aircraft movement is rapid but remains in the control of the pilot and then extreme turbulence where the control of the aircraft is lost. The mechanical force is via the wind velocity and direction.

Turbulence 52

Turbulence Wind Shear Knot Lift 52

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 4, 2024

The 58-year-old pilot had about 7,000 hours of flight time, built up as a respected Marine Corps F/A-18 fighter pilot and United Airlines first officer. Taking off from the Henderson Executive Airport (KHND), the pilot flew a straight track over the desert for about 9 miles. The NTSB is clear on the probable cause.

Descent 52

Descent Airplanes Knot Groundspeed 52

Air Facts

AUGUST 5, 2024

That said, you earned your Private Pilot Certificate and Instrument Rating back in SoCal, as the local pilot’s fondly refer to that part of the country. Inasmuch as I personally find that wording to be somewhat illusive, it does essentially mean that Part 91 operators (our mystery pilot) has none and can depart with zero visibillity.

Density Altitude 98

Density Altitude Ceiling Runway Weather 98

iPad Pilot News

JUNE 14, 2024

FAA Updates Datalink Weather Advisory Circular iPad Pilot News The rollout of ADS-B datalink weather over twelve years ago was an interesting time for GA pilots. Pilots were free to use the system immediately with these new portable receivers, which improved in-flight decision-making almost overnight.

Weather 59

Weather AGL Flight Deck Pilot 59

Pilot Institute

JULY 12, 2024

Even the best of pilots can mess up sometimes. But for new pilots, it can be tough to figure out where it all went wrong. A stabilized approach requires the pilot to establish and maintain a constant angle glidepath towards an aiming point. Flying at 60 knots? Pilots select their target airspeed for each approach.

Descent 52

Descent Weight-Shift-Control Crosswind Runway 52

Air Facts

DECEMBER 11, 2024

How does that relate to a pilot, you ask? You, are a pilot, or wanting to be one, right? Armed with that knowledge the pilot would be wise to pull aft on the yoke and climb away from a potential disaster. The pilots desire is to prevent a clash and the bird has a similar viewpoint. So, how does that help us as a pilot?

Groundspeed 52

Groundspeed Lift Approach True Airspeed 52

Professional Pilot

DECEMBER 10, 2024

As a pilot, have you ever had to deviate to an alternate airport? Hawker 800XP Captain Collins & Aikman Troy MI I ve diverted to an alternate airport many times in my 45 years as a professional pilot. King Air 350i Chief Pilot Texas Pacific Land Dallas TX H ave had a few deviations due to weather. YZV went down as we landed.

Weather 98

Weather Approach Descent Runway 98