Air Traffic Control
IFR Departure and Arrivals : Tips, Tricks, and Common Errors.
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012As a flight instructor and Captain with the airlines I noticed there are certain aspects of instrument flying which challenge pilots of all levels. I have written about these topics in past blog posts and have placed some of the top challenges into a presentation for the FAA Safety Team. For a more extensive discussion [...]
Video: IFR From Tampa Peter O. Knight Airport To Ocala, Florida
Sunday, January 15th, 2012Today I want to take you along on an educational and entertaining flight from Tampa’s Peter O. Knight Airport to Ocala, Florida. This is a first in a new series of videos to entertain, educate, and promote your passion for flying. In this video you will discover : Some advantages and disadvantages of obtaining your [...]
ADS-B and Me : The Next Generation Air Traffic Control System and What’s In It For Me.
Sunday, July 24th, 2011An introduction to ADS-B and the benefits to us as pilots.
You Talking To Me? How listening to all the controllers transmissions increase your situational awareness.
Monday, May 30th, 2011One of our readers sent us this scenario: Departing Albert Whited Airport in St. Petersburg, Florida I receive the clearance “Cessna 1234X cleared for take off RW 18 turn eastbound after departure”. During climb I hear tower call a Grumman and note in my mind a Grumman is up here somewhere. The Grumman pilot responds. [...]
What is Field Elevation?
Friday, May 20th, 2011One of our readers asks “What Is The Field Elevation printed on Airport Diagram and why is it important?” The Field Elevation on the Airport Diagram references the Airport Elevation. The Federal Aviation Administration(FAA) defines the Airport Elevation as the highest point of an airport’s usable runways and is measured in height above mean sea [...]
Sporty’s IFR Communications : Get Some “Actual” Instrument Experience In The Comfort Of Your Living Room.
Friday, May 6th, 2011Wouldn’t it be great to observe an instrument flight and listen to pilot and controller interactions on a daily basis? You would become better at communicating and understanding the nuances of operating from various types of airports. One way to get this experience is to watch Sporty’s IFR Communications video which brings you into the [...]
Hold Short of Where? Understanding The New Taxi Procedures.
Thursday, March 31st, 2011Sometimes the most difficult decisions we make are on the ground especially when taxiing on an airport with many intersecting runways. One airport I notice I must pay more attention to while taxiing is Louisville Airport (KSDF). One day while leaving we were given instructions to taxi to Runway 35R via Delta cross Runway 29. [...]
When ATC Asks: “What’s Your Equipment Suffix?”
Saturday, September 22nd, 2007For the past few years of flying, I have relied on a dispatcher to file my flight plan and provide the required information to the FAA. Recently, a failure of equipment on my aircraft required me to fly in the Non RVSM airspace at or below FL290. When the controller asked “what’s your new equipment [...]