Pilot Institute

JANUARY 14, 2025

Even driving a car can be dangerous in foggy weather. So, how do pilots manage to land their aircraft safely and accurately without even being able to see where theyre going? The ILS (Instrument Landing System) uses radio signals to help pilots align the aircraft accurately on their approach to a runway.

Approach 98

Approach Descent Runway Instrument Landing System 98

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 12, 2025

By 1933, the US Airway Beacon System consisted of more than 1,500 beacons spread across approximately 18,000 miles of airways, guiding pilots safely through the skies at night. Always cross-check airport beacon lights with other navigational information from charts, GPS, or VORs.

VOR 64

VOR Pilot Instrument Landing System Weather 64

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 19, 2024

Are you curious about flying a VOR approach? If you’re aiming to master instrument-rated flying, it’d be valuable to learn about VOR approaches. We’ll cover what a VOR approach is, how to fly it step-by-step, and even whether GPS can replace it in today’s navigation. Ready to make VOR approaches easy?

VOR 52

VOR Approach Descent Final Approach 52

Air Facts

MAY 7, 2025

The equipment was often not much modernized from the military days so the pilots likely hoped for good weather as they filed their flight plans. The longest runways had front course and back course ILS (Instrument Landing Systems) and an on-field VOR that provided navigation and approach capabilities for aircraft on instrument flights.

Weight-Shift-Control 52

Weight-Shift-Control VOR Runway Distance Measuring Equipment 52

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 15, 2025

Before RNAV, pilots had to rely on radios (NAVAIDs) and antennas on the ground such as VORs (Very High-Frequency Omnidirectional Range) and NDBs (Non-Directional Beacons). But these systems had some problems, like not being able to work over water, or if there was something in the way of the transmitter and the aircrafts receiver.

Approach 52

Approach Pilot Descent Airplanes 52

Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 4, 2024

(Explaining Each in Simple Terms) LPV, LNAV, and VNAV are three navigation types that provide Global Positioning System (GPS) based instrument approach guidance for your aircraft. That’s because each one assists you in navigating to the runway based on the weather and your aircraft equipment. Better weather conditions.

Approach 52

Approach Descent Weather VOR 52

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 7, 2024

However, when it comes to the instrument panel, the picture is not so rosy. ADFs, marker beacons, and VOR receivers, each relying on a constantly shrinking population of land-based navaids, fill these dated flight decks. If you are still listening to the AM baseball and weather on your ADF, its days, at least in the U.S.,

Cockpit 100

Cockpit Instrument Landing System Approach Pilot 100