I’m free in the Skylane and I’m not in the 707. That’s why so many airline pilots are private pilots too and own airplanes. It’s too bad more people don’t realize that about 99% of the airline pilots are very much on the private pilot’s side of things and often envy him considerably. They don’t feel he’s their problem in life.
IFR Insights, hosted by Spencer Suderman, shares valuable experiences and tips for instrument flying. Spencer is a Florida-based airshow pilot and instrument flight instructor. In this episode, ride along with Spencer in a G1000-equipped Cessna 172 as he flies a full RNAV circle-to-land approach with a holding pattern course reversal into Cecil, FL.
In this excerpt from Advanced IFR, by PilotWorkshops, follow along on this scenario-based IFR route selection exercise as we plan a flight from Oceana, CA (L52), to Monterey, CA (KMRY), using ForeFlight Route Advisor. As you can see, there are many variables to consider when planning an IFR route including weather conditions, airspace, aircraft capabilities and ATC preferences.
The uniqueness of our trip lay in its actual purpose, which was solely to utilize a convenient and independent mode of travel in order to visit Europe. Bob held the firm conviction that much mountain and weather flying, daily encountered by private pilots in our own country, offered greater hazards and required greater navigation skill than this trip.
In this PilotWorkshops IFR Mastery scenario, you own a Beech Sundowner equipped with upgraded instruments, an IFR GPS and an autopilot. The Sundowner will take you, your spouse and a family friend from Abilene, Texas (KABI) to McAlester, Oklahoma (KMLC). On approach to your destination, you execute a missed approach in low IFR conditions. Should you try this approach again or cut your losses and head to the alternate?
Richard explains the importance of understanding density altitude as it relates to performace as well as the nuances of moutain waves and turbulence. Richard even provides some good rules of thumb for flying near or across mountains – whether in the East or West.
You’re the only airplane inbound and ATC has cut you loose to join the approach as you see fit. However, the more you review the approach chart the more complex it becomes. The simplest options will be the toughest to execute given the winds and descent, but the easier options might not be legit. Watch this video from PilotWorkshops’ IFR Mastery scenario collection and challenge yourself—what would you do?
An unusual attitude is commonly referenced as an unintended or unexpected attitude in instrument flight. It’s important for pilots to recognize the conditions or situations that could cause an unusual attitude, with focus on how to recognize one, and how to recover from one.
The Richard Collins family has once again partnered with Sporty’s to offer The Richard Collins Writing Prize for Young Pilots. To qualify, the writer must be a pilot (including student pilot) who is 24 years of age or younger. The article must be original, not previously published, and no longer than 1,500 words. The topic should be “my most memorable flight.”
“Not everyone flies when there’s snow or ice around, but some of us do.” Enjoy these insights and tips on flight planning, preparation and execution in wineter weather conditions in this Air Facts video classic.
Join Air Facts Editor-in-Chief, John Zimmerman, as he interviews some of aviation’s most interesting people in the popular Pilot’s Discretion Podcast. You’ll recognize some of the guests as contributing authors at Air Facts. From honest discussions about flight training to fascinating stories from world famous airshow pilots, this podcast is for anyone who loves to fly.
Air Facts popular “Friday photo” features some spectacular views and amazing memories to share with the aviation community. Thank you for those photos and we’re sure the best is yet to come. Have a photo to share? Send your photo and description to: [email protected].
Sporty’s Air Facts published more than 150 articles in 2023, written by more than 100 different writers. Many of these writers were first time contributors with a compelling story to tell or a lesson learned. Thank you for your many comments and spirited debate. Please enjoy these 10 most popular articles of 2023.
The sky really isn’t crowded. Rather it is practically deserted, at least that 38’ X 30’ X6’ piece of it we want to use 2% of the time is practically deserted. With a little attention to the see and be seen concept as a recognized flight skill it can remain that way.
The seaplane patrol has special authority to fly at unusually low levels because the effectiveness of his work depends on his ability to see what’s going on at close range. When he’s “on target”—that is, when he has determined that a boat crew is fishing illegally—he is frequently within 75 feet of the pirate fishermen.
Datalink weather, either from ADS-B or SiriusXM, is an essential tool for almost all pilots. Once you’ve flown a cross country with in-flight radar, up-to-date METARs, and visual AIRMETs, it’s awfully hard to go back to flying without it. It makes flying safer, easier, and more comfortable – a rare combination – but only if you know how to use it properly.
Synthetic vision brings situational awareness to a new level especially when connected to an ADS-B receiver. This portable device provides real-time pitch and bank information and for the ultimate backup display.
Patty Wagstaff is one of the most famous airshow pilots in history as a six-time member of the U.S. Aerobatic Team, the first woman to win the title of U.S. National Aerobatic Champion, and one of the few people to win it three times. She’ll share her decades of experience flying aerobatics to show you how aerobatics can help improve your pilot skills.
Most of the information filed in an IFR flight plan is based on weather forecasts that are released well before your wheels ever leave the ground. Here’s a look at what parts of the flight plan actually matter to ATC so that you know how to react if and when the weather conditions don’t match the forecast.
If the only accidents in General Aviation were those attributable to the machine itself we would have a safety record equaled by nothing else that moves. Maybe a better answer to “How safe are the flying machines?” would be that they are absolutely 100% safe. The question is: “How safe is the pilot who runs the flying machine?” and that’s up to him.