I recently got an email from a user of Nav Trainer asking what the red lines represent on the sides of the VOR station symbols.
Those red lines represent areas where the VOR signal is ambiguous and the VOR display is unreliable.
September 8, 2013
Stop chasing the needles!
A very common problem with new pilots is over-controlling the airplane, or “chasing the needles.” For example, cruising at 5,000 feet, a new pilot might notice the altitude increases a little bit, so he abruptly pushes the yoke forward in an effort to correct the deviation. He pushes a little bit too much, and the […]
Continue reading... August 26, 2013
New First Officer & ATP Rules Explained
The Congress and FAA recently made some big changes to the minimum requirements for First Officers in part 121 airlines and for the way pilots get their Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) licenses. These changes will affect you if you’re dreaming of an airline pilot career. In this post I’ll explain the new rules and how they […]
Continue reading... August 26, 2013
Wildland Firefighting Aircraft – Guest Post
Alan Carr explores the world of fire-fighting aircraft. If you’re flying anywhere around the Western United States, you can probably navigate from state to state using nothing more than the plumes of smoke from the massive forest fires consuming the west. On the average, more than 100,000 wildland fires scorch between 4 million and 5 […]
Continue reading... June 20, 2013
Guest post: Understanding Flying Book Review
Chris Oquist reviews Understanding Flying, by Richard Tylor If you’re about to head off to pilot school or you’re simply interested in the matter, Understanding Flying by Richard Taylor is a great aviation book and one you should not miss. In this book intended to reach beginning aviators, Taylor gives a great understanding of the […]
Continue reading... February 27, 2011
Deciphering RNAV approach minimas
GPS and RNAV approach terminology can be very confusing since modern RNAV procedures usually accommodate more than one type of navigational equipment (such as basic GPS, WAAS, LAAS or multi-sensor FMS) on the same chart. With older types of approach procedures, the specific equipment required is stated in the chart title. For example, you could […]
Continue reading... July 11, 2010
Top 6 ways to building your flight time
Building flight time is one of the major challenges you’ll face during your pilot’s career. In this article, I’ll cover some of the top ways to build your flight experience.
Continue reading... July 8, 2010
Highlights of New FAA Runway Taxi Clearances
The new FAA runway taxi phraseology went into effect on June 30th, 2010. This article highlights the changes. Visit http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Notice/N7110.528.pdf for more information.
Continue reading... June 17, 2010
FAA ATC taxi instructions changes
The FAA announced today the following changes to standard taxi instruction phraseology: Effective June 30, 2010, air traffic controllers will no longer use the term “taxi to” when authorizing aircraft to taxi to an assigned takeoff runway. With the change, controllers must issue explicit clearances to pilots crossing any runway (active/inactive or closed) along the […]
Continue reading... May 22, 2010
Brief instrument approaches like a pro
There’s no one-fit-all method to perform an approach briefing. A commercial operator may have a specific way to do it. But if you don’t work for one, you need to develop your own approach briefing technique. The key is to set the aircraft and review all important information in advance, so the workload won’t overwhelm […]
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