Pilot Institute

MARCH 6, 2025

Drones have their own language, and its filled with abbreviations and acronyms that can be overwhelming for new drone pilots. Common Drone Acronyms and What They Mean Lets start off with the most basic acronyms that even beginner drone pilots should know. The effect is that the pilot feels like they are flying while inside the drone.

Pilot 52

Pilot Weather Air Traffic Control NOTAMs 52

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

Pilot Institute

AUGUST 31, 2024

VOR (Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range) stations were once the most common radio navigational aid (NAVAID) in the United States. Since 2016, the FAA has been decommissioning VORs as GPS becomes the primary form of navigation. The FAA added two new expanded SSVs for Low and High VORs. What is a Service Volume?

VOR 52

VOR AGL Pilot Approach 52

Plane and Pilot

FEBRUARY 13, 2025

It is the first time you will step into the cockpit and demonstrate to your examiner, the FAA, and yourself that youre ready to safely and competently operate as a private pilot. The Importance of Your First Check Ride Passing your private pilot check ride signals that youre competent to fly independently and carry passengers safely.

Federal Aviation Regulations 92

Federal Aviation Regulations Weather Pilot Cockpit 92

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 12, 2025

Key Takeaways Airport beacons help pilots locate airports during night or low visibility conditions. Airport beacons (also known as airport rotating beacons or aerodrome beacons) are like lighthouses for pilots. Each beacon was mounted on a tall tower and had a powerful rotating light to make it visible to pilots flying at night.

VOR 64

VOR Pilot Instrument Landing System Weather 64

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 15, 2025

Area Navigation (RNAV) is a way for pilots to know where they’re going without needing help from the ground. 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). What Are RNAV Approaches?

Approach 52

Approach Pilot Descent Airplanes 52

Flying Magazine

MAY 13, 2024

It has long been said that the private pilot certificate is a “license to learn” as it is the foundation of a person’s flying career. Subscribe Now Featured I am not a DPE, but for several years I have been a check pilot providing mock check rides for applicants at the request of their CFIs.

Pilot 116

Pilot Knot Annual Inspection VOR 116

AV Web

DECEMBER 17, 2024

The two storms were in tight formation, on the move, and bearing down on my next VOR waypoint, Youngstown, Ohio. I told him what I was seeing and asked for a dogleg to the south to another VOR. After a short pause, another pilot asked the controller, Uhh, are you showing weather at Youngstown? The controller rerouted him, too.

VOR 97

VOR Clearance Weather Pilot 97

Plane and Pilot

JULY 16, 2024

Becoming a private pilot is a challenging process and a big accomplishment. Student pilots go through many hours of flight and ground training to become proficient in the required skills and knowledge to ultimately earn their private pilot certificate. What Is the Private Pilot Knowledge Exam?

Density Altitude 81

Density Altitude Pilot Center of Gravity VOR 81

iPad Pilot News

JANUARY 21, 2025

How to set up aircraft equipment codes in aviation apps to file VFR/IFR flight plans iPad Pilot News All VFR and IFR flight plans must be filed using the ICAO form. Setting up your airplane profile We will focus on ForeFlight and Garmin Pilot for this ICAO flight plan discussion.

Flight Plan 105

Flight Plan Transponder VOR Airplanes 105

Air Facts

NOVEMBER 25, 2024

Air Facts IFR Challenge Air Facts Journal Welcome to our IFR Challenge—a quiz designed for seasoned pilots who are ready to put their instrument knowledge to the test. The pilot may level off at any intermediate altitude within this block of airspace. Climb/descent within the block can be made at the discretion of the pilot.

Clearance 97

Clearance NOTAMs VOR Descent 97

Air Facts

FEBRUARY 28, 2025

I Am UNSAFE ChecklistLessons Learned on a Fateful Night Air Facts Journal You get experience by making mistakes and surviving, and then, as a result, become a safer more confident pilot. The weather was challenging, but quite flyable, until just before the JOT VOR, which was the outer marker on the ILS2L approach.

Ceiling 90

Ceiling Weather AGL Approach 90

Flying Magazine

MAY 6, 2024

Louis proper has a big “middle of the country busy” airport that many pilots might choose to avoid—St. Subscribe Now Featured A) Two Radials Depicted From the STL VOR, there are two radials depicted that intersect with the final approach path—the R-144 and the R-194. The “Gateway to the West,” St. Louis Lambert International ( KSTL ).

VOR 59

VOR Final Approach Approach NDB 59

AV Web

DECEMBER 11, 2024

Pilots also have access to coupled approaches and can fly GPS, ILS, VOR, LOC and back course procedures when interfaced with a compatible GPS navigator. The GFC 500 autopilot also integrates with Garmins GI 275 and/or G5 electronic flight instruments.

VOR 98

VOR Flight Deck Approach Pilot 98

Northstar VFR

SEPTEMBER 1, 2024

Pilots observe checklist use and learn their importance starting at the first flight lesson. Checklist use is an element that pilots are tested on during checkrides at every level of training. However, it’s the nature of the repetition that helps the pilot notice if something is abnormal with the aircraft.

Pilot 72

Pilot Weather Checkride Annual Inspection 72

Pilot's Life Blog

FEBRUARY 10, 2025

A biennial flight review guide is more than a regulatory requirementits a crucial opportunity for pilots to refresh skills and stay sharp. The FAA mandates a review every 24 months, ensuring pilots remain proficient in regulations, safety procedures, and flight maneuvers.

Weather 52

Weather Pilot Aeronautical Decision-Making Federal Aviation Regulations 52

Flight Training Central

OCTOBER 14, 2024

Pilots should always be evaluating alternate airports. One of the most important skills pilots must continue to hone is sound decision-making. Many pilots refer to this as the 1-2-3 rule: Plus or minus 1 hour from arrival, ceilings at least 2 ,000 feet and visibility at least 3 statute miles.

Ceiling 98

Ceiling Pilot Weather Approach 98

Flight Training Central

DECEMBER 13, 2024

Thousands of simulated Instrument Rating written exams are completed every month in Sporty’s Instrument Course , but certain topics consistently trip up IFR pilots. An ATC clearance to "CRUISE FOUR THOUSAND FEET" would indicate that the pilot is authorized to: vacate 4,000 feet without notifying ATC. Let’s get to the quiz!

Clearance 98

Clearance VOR NOTAMs Descent 98

Pilot Institute

JANUARY 27, 2025

Mastering the six-pack is essential for safe and effective piloting. Pilots must therefore constantly crosscheck gyroscopic instruments, and their indications must be adjusted accordingly. The AI provides the pilot with information on the aircrafts bank angle and pitch angle in relation to the horizon.

Pitot Tube 52

Pitot Tube Altimeter Instrument Flight Rules Descent 52

Flying Magazine

MAY 15, 2024

You’re not supposed to feel it like you do the aircraft, but this can make you a better pilot as you will develop instrument scan and interpretation skills. READ MORE: Our Pilots of the Future May Share Sim Stories Partial power loss scenarios—especially at low altitude—are very useful. It’s an ATD. It’s just a few minutes, right?

Crosswind 105

Crosswind Airplanes VOR Runway 105

Pilot Institute

MARCH 13, 2025

The CDI Instrument The Course Deviation Indicator (CDI) is an instrument that helps pilots determine whether theyre on course. You can use the CDI with navigation aids like VOR (VHF Omnidirectional Range) or GPS. We wont explain technical details, so you may not understand the example if you havent used a VOR.

VOR 52

VOR Cockpit Altimeter Weather 52

WayMan

NOVEMBER 8, 2024

Understanding these procedures is essential for pilots flying under IFR ( Instrument Flight Rules ) to maintain organized, safe, and efficient air traffic. The purpose of a SID is to make standardizing departure procedures easier so that pilots are not constantly receiving instructions from ATC. Most airports recommend using a SID.

Pilot 52

Pilot Instrument Flight Rules Runway VOR 52

Jetwhine

JULY 17, 2024

In 1967, I was a Navy pilot flying C-130s in and out of Vietnam. In those days, ALL multi-engine pilots in the Navy were required to go to the Navy’s Navigator Training Squadron (VT-29) after they received their Naval Aviator’s Wings and before reporting to their first squadron. What follows is his fascinating journey. “In

VOR 111

VOR Pilot Cockpit Cargo 111

Pilot's Life Blog

DECEMBER 20, 2024

What is pilot ground school? Its the first essential step in your journey to becoming a certified pilot. What Pilot Ground School Entails So, what is pilot ground school ? Its a crucial part of becoming a pilot. Air Law : Knowing the rules of the sky is essential for every pilot.

Pilot 52

Pilot Air Traffic Control Weather Flight Plan 52

Northstar VFR

AUGUST 25, 2024

It’s the responsibility of the pilot-in-command (PIC) to confirm that the inspections have been performed and the aircraft airworthy before conducting a flight. There are several ways the VOR can be tested for accuracy of operation, and the results can be performed and logged in an aircraft log by the pilot.

Annual Inspection 64

Annual Inspection VOR Instrument Flight Rules Altimeter 64

Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 12, 2024

For example: Pilot: Seattle Approach, Cessna November Four Five One Romeo, Two Zero miles west of Seattle VOR, at 8,000, with Sierra, to land. Pilot: “Dallas Clearance Delivery, Cessna November Four Five One Romeo at the east ramp. Your reply would be: Pilot: Turn right to zero four zero. Heres an example.

Approach 52

Approach Clearance Pilot Air Traffic Control 52

AV Web

JUNE 6, 2024

The report shows that the pilot, Dr. Lucius Doucet III of Louisiana, purchased the 1966 V35 Bonanza in December last year, registering it in January. Though it does not detail how long he had his pilot’s license or what ratings he held, his total logged flight time was 366 hours, with 15 hours in type.

VOR 76

VOR Approach Descent Tail 76

AV Web

JUNE 6, 2024

The report shows that the pilot, Dr. Lucius Doucet III of Louisiana, purchased the 1966 V35 Bonanza in December last year, registering it in January. Though it does not detail how long he had his pilot’s license or what ratings he held, his total logged flight time was 366 hours, with 15 hours in type.

VOR 75

VOR Approach Descent Tail 75

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 7, 2024

ADFs, marker beacons, and VOR receivers, each relying on a constantly shrinking population of land-based navaids, fill these dated flight decks. One step up the ladder, the frequent traveler and light IFR pilot may opt for an advanced autopilot, digital glass attitude, and heading displays, and ADS-B In on a tablet or portable.

Cockpit 106

Cockpit Instrument Landing System Approach Pilot 106

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 28, 2025

One of the most important skills pilots learn during flight training is sound decision making. Every flight, regardless of the complexity of the airplane or the distance of the trip, is comprised of a continuous series of decisions involving a host of variables that the pilot must make in order to safely get from point A to point B.

Ceiling 52

Ceiling Weather Approach Flight Plan 52

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 13, 2024

The many analyses and videos on these topics have been done in what can best be described as laboratory conditions—carefully selected ideal conditions of pilot, airplane, and environment. None of these achieved enough altitude to have permitted a successful impossible turn, but there were pilots who tried, anyway.

Gross Weight 98

Gross Weight Runway Airplanes Pilot 98

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 22, 2025

Theyre officially called Instrument Approach Procedure (or IAP) charts, but pilots often casually call them approach plates. As a pilot flying this approach, you need to know where to look for the right information at the right time. Non-precision approaches (such as a localizer, VOR, LNAV, or NDB) use a Maltese cross for the FAF.

Approach 52

Approach Descent Runway Final Approach 52

Northstar VFR

MAY 19, 2024

By Leslie Caubble, CFI/IGI Ask three flight instructors when a student pilot should take the FAA Private Pilot knowledge exam , and you will likely get three different answers. Student pilots seek clear-cut answers but are often left confused in the middle of well-meaning advice. Have any questions?

Checkride 87

Checkride Approach VOR Pilot 87

Fear of Landing

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

Lola was among the first female commercial pilots, breaking barriers in aviation when airliners were almost exclusively male territory. Lola went on to become a commercial airline transport pilot, flight instructor, SCUBA divemaster, and an award-winning author and photographer. of all pilots in the US were female.

Weather 98

Weather Knot Pilot Distance Measuring Equipment 98

Pilot Institute

AUGUST 9, 2024

Pilots also request holding patterns when extra time is required. They’re difficult for students to pick up and tedious, even for experienced instrument pilots. The pilot should adjust the time flown on the outbound leg to maintain a one-minute inbound leg. For example, to set up the aircraft for landing or troubleshooting.

VOR 52

VOR Pilot Crosswind Approach 52

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 2, 2024

If you are a student pilot who plans on flying their first solo cross-country or a veteran pilot going on a trip, learning how to navigate via Class E airspace is a must. However, many pilots find Class E airspace confusing because of the different types of altitudes and markings on the sectional chart.

Airspace Classes 52

Airspace Classes AGL VOR Weather 52

Gary's Flight Journal

FEBRUARY 26, 2024

I found a willing participant, also a BAC member, that agreed to be my safety pilot. Since I was tracking the VOR I decided to knock out a VOR check, flying the Waterloo 171 degree radial to the IAF FEMOD. A big thanks to Anita for her safety pilot time, it was very much appreciated.

VOR 52

VOR Approach Tail Cockpit 52