Pilot Institute

JANUARY 24, 2025

Special VFR (SVFR) is a clearance that is given to an aircraft by ATC that allows flights in controlled airspace under VFR when weather is below standard VFR minimums but above IFR thresholds. Once again, the judgment call will be yours as the Pilot in Command. A student pilot cannot request a Special VFR (SVFR) clearance.

Clearance 52

Clearance Pilot in Command Ceiling Weather 52

Air Facts

JANUARY 29, 2025

To get a little better view approaching the threshold I leaned to my left and stretched up to maybe see a little more of the runway. The XO was now pilot in command and I was doing co-pilot duties on the flight to Dallas. The view from the rear seat is mostly out the side window.

Runway 52

Runway Airplanes Pilot Pilot in Command 52

Photographic Logbook

JANUARY 25, 2025

Today would be his first landing on the ice as pilot in command. Rolling out on final approach, I was surprised to see another airplane stopped right at the runway threshold. Usually, Alton Bay volunteers hold departure traffic significantly farther back from the threshold when other aircraft are about to land.

Runway 68

Runway Airplanes Threshold Approach 68

Air Facts

AUGUST 26, 2024

I can still remember one of my early flight instructors grabbing the controls and practically shouting at me as we wobbled down the runway one day, “ you need to make this &$*%@ airplane do exactly what you want—that’s why you’re called pilot in command!” A bit harsh, perhaps, but 100% correct, and a lesson I have not forgotten.

Knot 98

Knot Runway Airplanes Pilot 98

Air Facts

AUGUST 28, 2024

On that day, I encountered a very unusual situation that required tough pilot-in-command decision making along with some serious risk management. From the threshold to taxiway D5 gave me a little over 5,000 feet to land and stop. Touchdown occurred some 500 feet beyond the threshold giving me about 4,500 feet to stop.

Threshold 98

Threshold Runway Approach Pilot in Command 98

Charles Ryan's Flying Adventure

JULY 22, 2024

We reached the threshold of runway 27. Well done to the PIC (Pilot-in-command)! The flight Map Camera (tail section) Camera view (landing gear section) The safety video featuring a famous local dancer. On the ground, I like to watch the camera view from the landing gear. Let's check what movies are there. Here we are.

Cabin Crew 59

Cabin Crew Runway Weather Ceiling 59