Instruments and Approaches

In general:

• 3 essential radio calls to save your IFR flight.
• 6 IFR procedures most instrument pilots rarely fly.
• Aeronautical Chart Users Guide (excellent resource).
• ATC IFR quiz: You're departing Runway 19 Right on the Grandy...5Qs.
• Bracketing the CDI. (R Machado) - technique for VOR/GPS course tracking.
• Briefs / Briefing:
• 4 items you should brief before every instrument departure.
• Common myths (4) about IFR flying.
• Errors/Mistakes:
• 3 common mistakes made by instrument pilots.
• 3 of the most common mistakes pilots make on IFR flights.
• Common IFR approach mistakes to avoid. (Finer Points vid).
• FAA changes instrument rating cross country requirement.
• The XC with 3 different approaches does not imply (require) 3 different sources.
• IFR currency requirements. (Vid 166).
• IFR Focus (by Sportys).
• IFR Insights: A practical approach. (Course by AOPA).
• IFR Quick-Review sheets (one of the best summaries of rules by Pilots Café)
• IFR Refresher. (COPA Vid).
• Instrument Cockpit Check / another version
• Instrument flying & nav tips from ATC Controller & CFI. (Sporty's vid)
• Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC). See Flight Reviews.
• Instrument rating, how to get it and why you should.
• Logging time - log something to the effect of "Sim IMC w/ VLD for 61.129(a)(3)(i)". This will save people a headache down the road if they try to get a commercial rating.
• Lost Communication (IFR).
• Proficiency - 9 tips for staying IFR proficient.
• RCO vs GCO. (vid)
• Review questions by Fly the Wing.
• Runway selection: Why pick a runway with an ILS? (Vid 47 or Vid 103).
• Safety pilot - who can be one? (Vid 119).
• Seven habits for IFR approaches. (Flying Mag).
• Should you activate the approach? (Vid 187).
• Shortcuts every (instrument) pilot wants.
• Study Guides:
• Flight Insight study guide.
• Pilots Café has some great resources.
• Technique: how I set up for practice approaches from KFLY into KCOS.
• Terminal procedures (search at FAA) .
• The art of instrument approaches - 7 tips for proficient flying.
• Why some airports have multiple RNAVs to the same runway. (Vid 182).
• Also see Pilot Tips of the Week.

Alternates:

• 6 factors to consider before picking an IFR alternate.
• Alternate fuel planning for IFR. (Vid 23).
• Alternate weather minimums for "A NA" airports. (Vid 230).
• Can you file to an 'alternate not authorized' airport? (Vid 136).
• IFR alternate minimums for approaches. (Vid 143, Vid 171 or Vid 185).
• IFR alternate requirements (weather). (Vid 143, Vid 171 or Vid 185).
• Does alternate need a published approach? Why or why not?  Based on forecast.
• Non-standard alternate minimums. (Vid 170).
• Do they apply once airborne? (Vid 246).
• What are the forecast requirements for alternate airport?  At ETA must be:
• 600' ceiling w/ 2 SM visibility (airports w/ precision approach)
• 800' ceiling w/ 2 SM visibility (airports w/ non-precision approach)
• When do you need an alternate?
• When WX at destination airport +/- 1 hour of ETA is forecast to be less than 2000’ ceiling and visibility is forecast to be less than 3 miles (123 rule)
• What constitutes a ceiling?  The lowest broken, overcast, or obscuration (not thin or partial) cloud layer
• When do you need to file an alternate under IFR?
• Where do you find the non-standard alternate minimums? (checkride).

Altitudes, minimum (IFR) +

• 10 minimum IFR altitudes you should know.
• MAA – max authorized alt, marked with “MAA-“
• MCA – min crossing alt, min al at which to cross when proceeding to higher segment, marked with an “X” flag
• 150 FPNM (0-5K’ MSL); 120 FPNM (5K-10K’ MSL); 100 FPNM (10K’ MSL or above)
• MEA – min enroute alt, NAVAID reception & obstacle clearance (top number on route)
• Also see "Enroute / Climb / Descent" below.
• If MEA and MOCA exists, you can use MEA but not below MOCA.
• MEA vs. MOCA. (Vid 164).
• What is MEA and MOCA and the difference? (checkride)
• MEA (RNAV) – same but annotated with “G”, just below MEA
• MIA – min IFR alt, unless prescribed, 1K (non-mountain ) & 2k (mountain) clearance.
• MRA – min reception altitude, marked with “R” flag
• MOCA – min obstruction clearance alt, lowest to meet obstacle clearance and reception only to 22nm of VOR.  Marked with *
• MOCA vs. MEA. (Vid 158).
• MSA – min sector alt, min 1K obstacle clearance usually w/in 25nm
• MTA – min turn alt, provides obstacle clearance for both turn after and turn anticipation, marked with “MTA”. (Vid 219).
• MVA – min vectoring alt, for radar, the 1K & 2K clearance, can be lower than other alts (sometimes MRVA – min radar vector alt or ASMA – ATC surveillance min alt)
• OROCA – off route obstruction clearance alt, 1K obstacle clearance in non-mountainous and 2K in mountainous.  No signal guarantee.  The large numbers in grids. (sometimes MORA – min off route alt or Grid MORA)
• Minimum altitudes you may use for IFR Operations: (checkride)
• Except when necessary for takeoff / landing, minimum altitudes are:
• 2K’ above nearest obstacle w/in 4 NM of course (mountainous)
• 1K’ above nearest obstacle w/in 4 NM of course (non-mountainous)
• See also, Airspace and Altitude.

Approaches:

• AIM vs. ACS: Why do they use different definitions for a precision approach? (Vid 126).
• Airport sketch - how to use it to prepare for approaches. (Vid 226).
• Altimeter setting - do you need it to start an approach? (Vid 10).
• Approach Categories
• A: < 90 KTS; B: 91-120 KTS; C: 121-140 KTS; D: 141-165 KTS; E: > 166 KTS
• Should you fly your next approach at Cat A, B or C minimums?
• Approach Lighting / Lights: see Airports and Lighting below.
• Approach Title:
• If procedure ends in "A, B, C..." there are multiple circling approaches.
• If procedure ends in "Z, Y, X..." there are multiple ST-IN approaches.
• How instrument procedures and fixes are named.
• ASR (Airport Surveillance Radar):
•  How to fly a Surveillance Approach (ASR).
• Briefing:
• How to brief an approach, in 10 steps. (bm)
• PAIN MOM (my method, see Acronyms and Mnemonics)
• Seven habits for IFR approaches
• Charts / Plates
• Easily read instrument approach plates. (King)
• Instrument chart: Date of last revision. (Vid 137).
• Knowledge Check/Quizzes:
• Approach chart symbols - video quizzes:
• Vid 239, Vid 243, Vid 247 or Vid 249.
• Bighorn Three Arrival...5Qs.
• Can you fly the LOC/DME-E approach into Aspen?
• Jeppesen plate quiz - 5 questions. (FI)
• The final approach fix for the precision...10Qs.
• The winds are favoring runway 12L... 5Qs.
• What does the 4012 figure represent? 7Qs.
• What does the 'A' inside the triangle mean? 6Qs.
• What does the circle... 6Qs.
• What does the 'T' inside the triangle... 6Qs.
• Why is 8000' marked... 6Qs.
• Why is the missed approach point RW05L... 5Qs.
• What is this number? 6Qs.
• What is this section of an approach chart... 6Qs
• You're filing IFR and the clouds...5Qs.
• Also see Charts below.
• Circling approaches
• Can you circle-to-land from an ILS glide slope?
• How to circle-to-land from an approach.
• How to fly a circling only approach.
• See Missed Approach below.
• DA (decision altitude) see Minimums below.
• Descent / Descent Rate:
• Dive and Drive: Fact or Fiction? Maybe both?
• I don’t use “dive & drive”, rather "step-downs with controlled (often higher) descents".
• What's the maximum safe descent rate on an instrument approach?
• DME (distance measuring equipment):
• Do you need to compensate for slant range when using GPS? (Vid 128).
• GPS vs. DME distance for IFR flying. or Vid 173.
• How DME works.
• Using actual/real DME on an approach. (Vid 100 or Vid 181). 
• Why do standalone DME facilities exist? (Vid 133).
• ILS/LOC:
• Back course:
• Can you use glideslope on a back course approach? (Vid 188).
• Flying a localizer back course. (Vid 38).
• How to set a localizer back course on an HSI. (Vid 232).
• If your right wing is on the shaded part of the feather, then steering is "right" (correct). If it's your left wing, steering is "wrong" or back course.
• Where are you located on the back course? (Vid 190).
• Can you circle-to-land from an ILS glide slope?
• Course scalloping - what is it? (Vid 206).
• Critical area at non-towered airports. (Vid 197).
• Critical area, when should you hold short? Or (Vid 235).
• Erratic ILS signal causes a missed approach.
• False glideslope - how do you know if you're on one? (Vid 184).
• Final approach fix - where is it? Vid 40, Vid 124, or Vid 209.
• Also see Final Approach Segment below.
• Flying an ILS to minimums. (Vid 193).
• GPS to LOC - when should you switch? (Vid 179).
• How to fly a perfect ILS approach. (bm).
• ILS approaches explained. (FI)
• ILS - How it works.
• ILS on the chopping block? (IFR Article).
• Outer markers, explained. (Vid 236).
• Quizzes:
• BRUNY serves as what type...7Qs (FI)
• Cedar City ILS...5Qs.
• There is a figure "1968" on the...5Qs.
• The glideslope utilizes two frequency... 6Qs.
• What does the # symbol indicate... 6Qs
• What is the significance of the two swiggly......5Qs. (FI)
• What purpose does the 240 radial...7Qs (FI).
• Which of these are feeder routes...5Qs. (FI).
• You're 10 miles from KCRP… 7Qs.
• You're at 3000 feet over southern Cape...6Qs.
• Runways with an ILS - why you should use one. (Vid 47).
• Scale deflection for a localizer. (Vid 157).
• Unreliable ILS signal causes a missed approach.
• See also vertical guidance below.
• LDA (localizer directional aid)
• How an LDA works.
• Quiz: Elko LDA approach.
• What’s an LDA approach? (Vid 207).
• Least common approaches - 6 of them and how they work.
• LOC (localizer) see ILS/LOC above.
• LP approach
• LPV and LNAV/VNAV, the differences:
• Decoding the differences (LPV, LNAV, etc).
• Flying an LPV approach at KGPT. (Vid 224).
• Is an LPV considered a precision approach? (Vid 108)
• They’re both GPS approaches with vertical guidance, but similarities end there.
• The difference between LPV & LNAV/VNAV approaches.
• See RNAV (GPS) Approaches below.
• MDA (decision altitude) see Minimums below.
• Minimums:
• DA vs. MDA: What's the difference? (or Vid 105 or Vid 183).
• Decision altitude (DA) and decision height (DH) - the difference.
• GPS approach minimums. (King)
• Obstacle clearance below MDA or DA. (Vid 45, Vid 163 or Vid 214).
• Minimums, descending below :
• Can you use approach lights to descend on a non-precision approach? (Vid 210).
• Position to land, required visibility, runway environment (12).
• Runway (itself, markings, lights) = 3
• Threshold (itself, markings, lights) = 3
• Touchdown zone (itself, markings, lights) = 3
• Visual approach slope indicator
• Runway end identifier lights
• Red terminating bars or red side row bars (see below)
• The approach lights - allow you to descend to 100 feet above touchdown zone elevation (to find another reference) OR below 100 feet if the red terminating bars or the red side row bars are also distinctly visible and identifiable.
• To descend below mins and/or land, you need to see at least one of these...
• Version 1 or Version 2 or the list above.
• Missed approach and Missed approach point (MAP):
• 5 common mistakes made during IFR missed approaches.
• Can you fly a visual go-around on an instrument approach clearance?
• Do missed approaches always end in a hold? (Vid 71 or Vid 228).
• How to go missed from a circling approach.
• If on a visual approach under IFR, do you need to contact ATC immediately?
• Missed approach criteria. (Vid 208).
• Should you go missed if you fly past the VDP on an instrument approach?
• What if you go around after the MAP?
• When are you required to go missed? (Vid 212).
• Where's the missed approach point?  Visual descent point explained.
• PAR (Precision Approach Radar):
• How to fly a radar-guided approach.
• Plates (see charts / plates above)
• RNAV (GPS) Approaches:
• Difference between LPV and LNAV/VNAV.
• boldmethod and boldmethod live (Vid).
• Explanations by:  FAA.
• Remember, even with vertical guidance, and while using a DA (decision altitude), these are NOT considered precision approaches.  They are APVs (APproaches with Vertical guidance).  If you remember "guidance"/"glidepath" vs "glideslope", it will help separate these from precision approaches. RNAVs give glidepaths, while an ILS gives glideslope.
• LNAV - Lateral Navigation (uses an MDA)
• LNAV +V
• Only shows on your GPS (if able), not on plates.  The vertical glide path is advisory only…you still need to fly step-down altitudes and MDA.
• Why won't +V clear stepdowns in the summer? (Vid 25).
• Will +V guidance clear stepdown restrictions? (Vid 231).
• LNAV/VNAV - Lateral Navigation/Vertical Navigation (uses a DA)
• First GPS approaches with vertical guidance – designed for BARO-aided GPS.
• Do not have increasing angular guidance as you approach the runway.  They decrease to 0.3 nm sensitivity when w/in 2nm of FAF – all the way to MAP.
• The lowest they can go is 250’ above touchdown, but due to obstacles it’s often higher
• LP - Localizer Performance w/o Vertical Guidance (uses an MDA)
• LPV - Localizer Performance w/ Vertical Guidance (uses a DA)
• Uses WAAS/GPS, but NOT precision. They are APV (approach with vertical guidance).  BARO-aided GPS doesn’t suffice.
• They are more sensitive as you get closer and are about 700’ at the threshold (like an ILS), but they essentially turn linear after the threshold
• Can’t use precision alternate minimums.  You need WX that meets LNAV, circling or LNAV/VNAV DA
• Minimums - see above.
• Why so many RNAV minimums? (Vid 223).
• RNAV and GPS: What's the difference?
• RNAV vs. ILS approaches. (Vid 215 or Vid 221).
• RNP, written "RNAV (RNP)", see below.
• Loading one in G1000 (see Equipment).
• Quizzes:
• RNAV approach into Stinson.
• RNAV Boulder City. 5Qs,
• RNAV RWY 9 Approach into San Diego.
• You're 5 miles out proceeding direct... 6Qs.
• You're inbound from the northeast... 6Qs.
• You're inbound to Richmond... 6Qs.
• See also vertical guidance below.
• RNAV RNP approach (FAA page)
• RNAV (GPS) vs. RNAV (RNP). (Vid 129).
• When you see RNP in the approach label, it can be interpreted as 'authorization required' because in reality, any RNAV has some RNP.
• Why do RNAV (GPS) approaches say 'RNP' in the top-left? (Vid 14).
• RVR
• You must use 2400 RVR when RVR is not begin reported
• 2400 = 1/2 SM visibility
• Segments:
• Fly visual segment - what is it? (Vid 35 or Vid 218).
• Initial Approach Segment:
• This begins at the initial approach fix and ends where it joins the intermediate approach segment.
• Intermediate Approach Segment?
• This segment (normally aligned within 30 degrees of the runway) begins at the intermediate point and ends at the beginning of the final approach course.
• Final Approach Segment:
• For a precision approach, this begins where the glide slope is intercepted at the minimum glide slope intercept altitude shown on the approach chart;
• For a non-precision approach, this begins at either a designated Final Approach Fix (FAF) or at the point where you are established on the final approach course.
• Final Approach Fix vs. Final Approach Point. (Vid 147).
• When the FAF is not designated, such as where there is a VOR or NDB on the field of intended landing as published, the Final Approach Point (FAP) is where the procedure turn intersects the final approach course inbound.
• 5 ways to join final on an instrument approach.
• Should you ask to be 'cleared straight in'? (Vid 44 or Vid 189).
• What it means when you're "Cleared straight-in" and Vid 237.
• Missed Approach Segment:
• The missed approach segment begins at the MAP and ends at a designated point.
• See also Missed Approach above.
• Stable Approaches:
• Criteria...
• All briefings and checklists have been actioned.
• Aircraft in planned landing configuration.
• Aircraft on correct flight path.
• Aircraft speed is between final approach speed +10 KIAS and VREF.
• Power setting is appropriate for the aircraft configuration.
• Procedures for stable approaches. (Flying mag).
• What makes an instrument approach unstable?
• Steep approach: Tips to manage a steep approach. (Vid 127).

• Stepdown altitudes:
• Do you need to meet them when going visual? (Vid 33, Vid 68, Vid 220).
• Stipple:
• Does it guarantee obstacle protection? (Vid 69).
• What is it? (Vid 11).
• Understanding GPS approaches (Pilot Workshop)
• Vectors / Vectors to Final:
• Cutting you loose – at the end of vectors.
• When can you expect vectors-to-final? (Vid 211).
• Visual approaches:
• 6 reasons to back up a visual approach with an instrument approach.
• 6 tips for flying a great visual approach.
• Do you need to cancel IFR when flying a visual approach? (Vid 56 or Vid 146).
• Can VFR aircraft be cleared for a visual approach? (Vid 200).
• Charted Visual Approach.
• Flying visual approach at night safely.
• How to fly a charted visual flight procedure (CVFP).
• How to land from a visual approach.
• Night visual approaches: how to avoid losing SA.
• Visual approach rules, explained. (Vid 205).
• What are the requirements to fly a visual approach? (Vid 109).
• Will ATC clear VFR aircraft for a visual approach? (Vid 136).
• Who is responsible for traffic separation on a visual approach? (Vid 204).
• Visual Descent Point (VDP):
• Calculate your VDP when an approach doesn't have one.
• Should you go missed if you fly past the VDP on an instrument approach?
• What is the VDP based on? (vid 41)
• Where's the missed approach point?  Visual descent point explained.
• VOR (own section below)

Arcs/Arching:

• Can you arc using GPS? (Vid 111).

Arrivals / STARS (Standard Terminal Arrival Route):

• Arrival gate - what is it? (Vid 225).
• Quizzes:
• Bellingham Arrival...7Qs.
• If you were going to file the... 6Qs.
• Roanoke to Marion. 5Qs.
• Bighorn STAR Arrival...7Qs
• What is a STAR? (Standard Terminal Arrival Route) (Vid 227).
• When are speed restrictions required on STAR arrivals?
• You were cleared direct to a fix: When can you 'Descend Via' on the STAR?
• You're 'cleared for the ILS' at 10,000 feet on a STAR arrival. What now?
• See also Enroute / Climb / Descent below.

Charts:

• 4 of the least common IFR chart symbols.
• 7 rare IFR chart symbols.
• 10 types of IFR routes published on enroute charts.
• Aeronautical Chart Users Guide (excellent resource).
• Currency - is my instrument chart current? (Vid 5).
• Quizzes:
• Enroute charts quiz...5Qs. (FI).
• This green line represents... 5Qs.
• What does the blue '8000G'... 5Qs.
• What does the route symbol next to the blue arrow... 6Qs.
• What does the zig-zag line... 5Qs.
• What is the green, dotted... 4Qs.
• What's the total mileage between navaids... 6Qs.
• You are arriving at the Calverton VOR...5Qs.
• You're planning to fly over the Hangtown... 6Qs.

Clearances:

• Clearance void times...what is it?  Explained. (Vid 150).
• CRAFT Clearance Examples. (Vid 203).
• Dude, where’s my clearance?  The FAA wants you to call ATC directly...
• Getting an amended IFR clearance (Vid 81 or Vid 213).
• Getting an IFR clearance. (Vid 139).
• 7 ways to pick up your IFR clearance at a non-towered airport.
• How to pick up an IFR clearance.
• Should you ask to be 'cleared straight in'? (vid 44).
• VFR on Top clearance:
• How to use a 'VFR-On-Top' clearance.
• What is it? (Vid 199).
• VFR Over-The-Top:
• VFR over the top: Legal, but not clever.
• What are the requirements? (vid 68).
• What is a cruise clearance? (Vid 180).  How to use a cruise clearance.

Departures:

• AIM: cross DER > 35’, 400’ before first turn, 200 FPNM until minimum IFR altitude*
• 200 FPNM = 233 FPM @ 60 GS, 267 @ 80, 300 @ 90
• * unless specified different (crossing alt, DP) turn @ higher altitude or @ fix
• Departure clearance from a Class C airport. (Vid 19).
• DPs and ODPs (ODPs are normally narrative)
• Obstacles w/in 1nm & < 200’ tall are “low close-in obstacles” and are generally NOT factored in ODP
• IFR departure from a towered airport. (Vid 149).
• Minimum takeoff WX?  There isn’t, but a technique is highest published circling mins.
• Do takeoff minimums apply to Part 91pilots?
• ODPs
• Can you depart IFR from an airport with no SID or ODP? (Vid 52 or Vid 95).
• Climb gradient quiz. (Vid 245).
• Do you have to fly the Obstacle Departure Procedure (ODP)? (Vid 172).
• Flying an Obstacle Departure Procedure (ODP) or Vid 99.
• Flying the Dalles One Departure (ODP). (Vid 4).
• ODP vs. SID. (Vid 169 or Vid 177).
• What is a graphical ODP? (Vid 195 or Vid 202).
• Quizzes:
• Can you fly the Mammoth Lakes Departure...5Qs. (FI)
• Harrisburg Departure quiz...5Qs. (FI)
• IFR Checkride Spring 2025...5Qs.
• Standard Instrument Departures... 6Qs.
• SIDs (Standard Instrument Departures):
• Climb via clearance, explained. (Vid 196).
• 'Climb Via' vs. 'Climb and Maintain' on a SID.
• Does a 'climb and maintain' clearance delete your crossing restrictions on a SID?
• Quiz: Flying a SID...5Qs. (FI)
• SID vs. ODP. (Vid 169 or Vid 177).
• Visual departures
• Should VFR departures contact clearance delivery? (vid)
• VFR to IFR departure procedure. (Vid 12).
• Visual Climb Over Airport (VCOA) under IFR - how to.

Enroute / Climb / Descent:

• Can you fly an airway using GPS? (Vid 130).
• Can you navigate a victor airway using GPS? (Vid 84).
• Descend Via:
• 15 questions about 'Descend Via' clearances...answered.
• Descend via clearances, explained. (Vid 201).
• You were cleared direct to a fix: When can you 'Descend Via' on the STAR?
• You're given a 'descend via' clearance. How low can you go?
• If the MEA changes, when should you climb? (Vid 31, Vid 82 or Vid 222).
• What happens when ATC adds an arrival to your route? (Vid 198).
• When should you start a 'pilot's-discretion' descent?
• See also Arrivals above.

Filing / Planning:

• Airports without approaches:
• Breaking it off. (Av Safety).
• You're flying IFR to an airport with no approach. Now what?
• Can you file to an 'alternate not authorized' airport? (Vid 58).
• Choosing acceptable IFR weather. (MzeroA Vid).
• Choosing the best IFR route. (PW Vid).
• Filing airways vs. filing airway fixes. (Vid 191).
• Filing in ForeFlight. See Electronic Flight Bags.
• Fuel:
• 6 things pilots should consider when IFR fuel planning.
• Alternate fuel planning for IFR. (Vid 23).
• Fuel planning for IFR flights. (Vid 229).
• Quiz: IFR fuel planning. (Vid 200).
• Go or No Go: above or below the clouds? (Air Facts).
• Quiz: Preflight planning an IFR flight.
• What approach is in use at my destination? (Vid 10).
• What really matters to ATC in an IFR flight plan. (AF Vid).
• Would you go? MVFR conditions with a chance for icing.

GPS:

• As a system - see Systems / Equipment.
• In several places on this page.

Holding:

• Aircraft holding procedures, explained.
• Can you fly distance legs instead of timed legs? (Vid 159).
• Hold everything (long but good article about holding).
• Holding pattern entries, do they matter? (FP vid)
• How long are your holding legs at 14,000' MSL? (Vid 167).
• How to enter a holding pattern.
• How to fly a parallel holding entry. (Vid 238).
• How to fly a teardrop holding entry. (Vid 194).
• Memorize holding pattern entries for good.
• Quizzes:
• How far out from your holding fix... 6Qs.
• Standard holding patterns use...5Qs or 7Qs.
• You're planning to hold at 6,000' MSL... 5Qs.
• Which of the following holding...5Qs (FI)

Instrument Proficiency Course (IPC): see Flight Reviews.

Knowledge Check/Quizzes/Scenarios:

• IFR Challenge from Pilot Workshops:
• ATC curveball - holding. Vid 08012025
• Colorado clearance confusion.
• No second chances - an IFR approach scenario.
• What would you do? Anticipation at Anaheim.
• What would you do? Making it up at Macon.
• What would you do? No Second Chances.
• Quizzes:
• For category 1 approaches... 6Qs.
• Unless ATC authorizes you otherwise... 6Qs.
• You're planning an IFR flight... 6Qs.
• You haven't done a VOR check... 5Qs.
• You're departing IFR Part 91from an airport...5Qs.
• You're in an SR-22T 10 miles... 7Qs.
• Also see Regulations below.
• Would you go? Ceilings are 1900' with 7 SM visibility and light rain.
• Would you go? Ceilings are 2000' with 4SM visibility and light snow.
• Would you go? IFR cross country into low ceilings and scattered storms.
• You're flying IFR to an airport with no instrument approach. Now what?

Lighting / Lights / Approach Lights: also see Airports.

• Approach lighting systems explained.
• How far out do PAPI lights guarantee obstacle protection? (Vid 222).
• How to adjust minimums for inoperative approach lights.
• Don't forget runway lights on instrument approaches. (Vid 17).

NAVAIDs: Navigational Aids

• Animated storyboard by the FAA.
• Quizzes:
• An ILS glide slope path is normally set... 6Qs.
• You're flying an ILS and you cross...5Qs.
• You're flying an ILS approach... 6 Qs.
• Why are there dashed lines through... 6Qs.
• The 9 most used aircraft NAVAIDs in history.
• These are physical devices on the ground that aircraft can detect and navigate toward.

Procedure Turns:

• Do you need to fly the HILPT*? (Vid 165).
• * Hold in lieu of procedure turn.
• Maximum distance for PTs.
• Procedure turn and RNAV circling. (Air Facts vid).
• Procedure turns explained.
• Procedure turn fix altitude. (Vid 34).
• You won't fly a procedure turn when... (Vid 14 or Vid 18).
• What's a procedure turn fix altitude? (Vid 216).
• When can you start descending on a procedure turn? (Vid 43)
• When do I need to fly the procedure turn? (Vid 153).
• When you DO NOT perform them (SHARPTT).

Radar:

• Primary and secondary radar + ADS-B. (vid)

Regulations: see FAR / AIM.

RNAV (Area Navigation):

• RNAV and GPS: What's the difference?
• TAA: here it's Terminal Arrival Areas, not Technically Advanced Aircraft.
• TAA distance and bearing (Vid 36), and tips for determining (Vid 217).
• See RNAV (GPS) Approaches above.

Standard Instrument Departures (SIDs): see Departures above.

Vertical Guidance / VNAV:

• The four types of vertical guidance (Vid 7) in IFR flying (Vid 168).

VOR: +

• 7 things you should know about VOR navigation.
• Approach, VOR
• How VOR approaches work.
• RNAV guidance (or substitution) on a VOR approach. (Vid 117 or Vid 233).
• Checks (five)
• How to do a VOR check before your next IFR flight.
• VOR test signal (VOT) +/- 4°
• Designated VOR system checkpoint on an airport +/- 4°
• Airborne checkpoint +/- 4°
• Prominent ground point along a selected radial +/- 6°
• Dual VOR check +/- 4°.
• Due every 30 days
• LOG: Each person making the VOR operational check shall enter the date, place, bearing error, and sign the aircraft log or other record
• How do you know where a VOR checkpoint is on the airport? What does it look like and how is it marked?
• Where is a VOT located on the airport?
• Finding your position with a VOR. (also helps with the written exam).
• Quizzes:
• 5 questions to see how much you know about VORs.
• How many Initial Approach Fixes...7Qs.
• You're on the radial from the TOY VOR...7Qs.
• Types of VORs, and how to identify them.
• What are the different ways to check a VOR?
• VOT, designated airborne or ground check, radio to radio, and maintenance shop
• What is a VOT? And how is a VOR checkpoint and a VOT different?
• What is the maximum deviation for each type of check?
• What must be recorded when accomplishing a check?
• Name, date, place and bearing error
• Where can you find VOR checkpoints and VOTs?
• Why your VOR course doesn't match the GPS. Vid 46 or Vid 192.
• VOR Navigation has changed, and you probably missed it.
• VOR Orienter - this will help you on the written.
• VOR check - see Checks above.
• VOR simulator - great resource
• VOR to VOR on airways, how to do it w/o GPS.

Weather:

• 6 of the most hazardous weather conditions for IFR pilots.
• Quizzes:
• You're flying the ILS to runway 25... 6Qs.
• Also see the Weather page.

Other Information:

• 5 of the most unique approaches in the US.

- FIG -

Landing

In General:

• 3 common landing errors - how to fix them.
• 3 tips for the perfect landing. (MzA vid)
• 5 common landing errors, and how to fix them.
• 5 reasons your landings aren't smooth.
• 5 tips for better night landings.
• 5 tips for MASSIVELY better landings (That Actually Work).
• 6 ways or 10 ways to perfect your landings.
• 8 different types of landings.
• 8 steps to make your first solo landing perfectly smooth.
• 10 tips for safer takeoffs and landings. (FAA).
• 52 years of teaching landings. (Rod Machado vid).
• Avoid hard landings (AOPA video).
• Bad landings and scary takeoffs (great Backcountry 182 video).
• Defeated by Da Feet (Machado video).
• Feel like your landings are getting worse?
• How to make smooth landings. (Backcounty182 vid).
• Landing - Fundamental Series (MzA) Entire Fundamental Series.
• On landing well: 9 steps for success. (Article)
• Pitch for airspeed, power for glideslope? Or the other way around?
• Takeoff and landing refresher. (Wally Moran).
• This ONE technique instantly improved my landings. (vid)
• Tips to get on the centerline. (Vid 46 and Vid 82).
• Tips to keep your landings consistent. (Vid 242).
• Trim: Should you trim during landing?
• See also Pilot Tips of the Week and Human Factors.

----------------------
Aimpoint:

• See Final below...

Airspeed:

• How to land smoothly: Mastering airspeed for touchdowns. (FI).
• Why landing too fast can lead to a wheelbarrowing accident.

Approach:

• See "Final" below.

ATC and Communication (separate page).

Bounces/Bouncing:

• How to prevent a bounced landing. (Vid 143 or Vid 218).
• Bounced landing - how to recover.
• What if I balloon or bounce on landing? (MzeroA vid).
• Why am I bouncing my landings? (Vid 15).

Braking:

• 4 braking tips for every landing.
• Contaminated runway? Here's how to know the braking conditions.
• If your brakes failed on landing rollout, would you perform a go-around?

Communication and ATC (separate page).

Controls / Control Inputs:

• Grip - is it causing bad landings? (Vid 88 or Vid 146).
• Should you trim during landing?

Crosswinds:

• 2 methods to defeat this curse. (AOPA).
• 3 common crosswind landing mistakes, and how to prevent them.
• 7 steps to make the perfect crosswind landing.
• Crosswind landing technique: Control inputs. (Vid 220).
• Crosswind landing tips. (Vid 169).
• Crosswind landings (Sporty’s vid - shown from behind).
• Feeling crabby-mastering crosswind landings. (MzeroA vid).
• Flaps in a gusty cross? (AvWeb).
• Flaps, should you reduce them in a strong crosswind? (Vid 55 or Vid 241).
• Handling strong crosswinds. (Vid 26 or Vid 39).
• How maximum demonstrated crosswind is calculated.
• How much rudder and ailerons? "It depends" is vague. The amount is 1) to keep longitudinal axis aligned (rudder) and 2) to stay on centerline (aileron).
• How to make a perfect crosswind landing.
• Left crosswind - how to handle it. (Vid 198).
• Light crosswinds cause three landing accidents.
• Maintain directional control after crosswind landing - how to.
• Prep for private pilot exam. (vid).
• Tips to handle strong crosswinds. (Vid 161).
• Tips to improve your crosswind technique. (Vid 114).
• Touching down in a strong crosswind. (Vid 180 and Vid 202).
• Also see My Morsels.

Excursions: techniques to avoid them.

Final:

• 9 approach to landing problems - how to recover from each.
• Aimpoint vs touchdown point. Vid 45 or Vid 225.
• Follow the PAPI/VASI on final, or aim for the numbers?
• High on final?
• Here are 6 ways to fix it.
• How should you correct?
• Low on final? How should you correct?
• Why am I low on final approach? (Vid 47).
• Managing airspeed, power, and configuration on final. (Vid 186).

Flaps:

• 4 reasons you might not use full flaps on landing.
• Full flaps all at once?
• How to fly a no-flap landing.
• Partial flaps - when should you land with them? (Vid 176).
• Raise flaps on landing for a shorter ground roll? (Vid 185).
• Why use flaps for landing? (Vid 189).

Flare / Roundout:

• Having trouble with your flare and touchdown? (Vid 112).
• How to correct a high flare during landing.
• How to correct a late or rapid flare during landing.
• How to recover from a balloon during your landing flare.
• How to time your flare for a perfect landing.
• Late or rapid flare - how to correct.
• When should you start your flare? Vid 102 or 173.
• Where to look. (Machado vid).  This is opinion. I look way down the runway and/or the horizon. 

Floating: see Ground effect below.

Go around(s): go to Maneuvers.

Ground effect:

• Floating down the runway? Here's how to fix it.
• How to fix your float. (AV Safety).
• Struggling with floating during landing? (Vid 41).
• What is it? See Aerodynamics.
• Why your plane floats during landing.

Gusts:

• Gusty crosswind landings. (MzA vid).
• Landing in gusty winds. (Vid 38).
• What's your limit for landing in gusty winds? See also My Morsels.
• Why add half the gust factor for windy day landings? (or Vid 127).

High Altitude airports:

• How can I land better at high altitude airports? (Vid 1).

Hydroplaning:

• Quiz: Hydroplaning only occurs to ___. 5Qs.
• The 3 types of hydroplaning, and how to prevent them.

Impossible or Improbable turn:

• All or Nothing. (Aviation Safety).
• FAA to CFIs: Teach the impossible turn.
• Is the impossible turn possible? (FlightInsight Vid).
• NAFI CFI.
• SAFE Broadcast.
• The Impossible Turn 500FT (it's not impossible). FLY8MA.
• The-Not-That-Impossible Turn. (Cub Theatre).
• What NTSB reports say about impossible turns and AOA (Part I, Part II).
• See My Morsels on this topic.

Knowledge Check / Quizzes:

• In preparation for a normal landing... 9Qs.
• You are practicing landings in your Piper... 6Qs
• You're flying into Flagstaff, AZ… 5Qs

Landing Gear: see Systems.

Long landing:

• How to prevent landing long. (Vid 227).

Low approach:

• How to fly one.

Pilot Induced Oscillation (PIO) or Porpoising:

• My Morsels.

Power-out 180s:

• 180 power out landings - nail your landing spot every time. (vid)
• NAFI video 1. NAFI video 2.
• Why you should practice Power-Off 180 landings.

Runway / Conditions:

• 4 ways to make safer landings in the winter.
• Contaminated runway? Here's how to know the braking conditions.

Separation:

• There's an airplane on the runway. Can I land?
• What if an airplane taxied in front of you during touchdown?

Short Field:

• 9 tips to pass the checkride short field landings.
• Achieving short field success. (FAA).
• How to fly a perfect short field landing.
• Runway overrun caused by short field landing technique.
• Short and rough field landings. (article)
• Why this landing went wrong and part deux. (AvWeb vid).

Soft Field:

• How to make a perfect soft field landing.
• Real soft field technique often missed by pilots/CFIs (FP vid).

Stabilized approach (and landing):

• Flyer from FAASTeam.

Stop-and-go landing:

• How to fly one.

Tailwinds:

• 6 hazards of tailwinds during takeoff and landing.
• Why landing with a tailwind increases your risk of a runway excursion.

Touch-and-Go:

• How to fly a touch-and-go landing.

Touchdown / Touchdown Point:

• Aimpoint vs touchdown point. Vid 1, Vid 2.
• Avoid hard landings (AOPA video).
• Stop landing left of center. (MzA vid).
• Touchdown point - tips to hit & perfect it. (Vid 40 or Vid 240).
• Why you can't hold centerline on landing. (vid)

Turbulence/Wake Turbulence:

• Tips to avoid wake turbulence during takeoff and landing.
• How to make smooth touchdown when landing in turbulence.
• No matter what you fly, this wake turbulence accident could happen.
• Quiz: The greatest vortex strength occurs... 6Qs.
• Tips to avoid wake turbulence. Vid 21, Vid 62, Vid 162 or Vid 217.

Turn back to land: see Impossible or Improbable Turn above.

Wake turbulence: see Turbulence above.

See also: Pilot Tips of the Week and Human Factors.

Magnetic Compass

Understanding magnetic compasses 1) is somewhat difficult and 2) seems outdated.  However, since every aircraft has one and they technically never fail, it's important to know how they work and how they'll react in turns.  So here it goes...

Magnetic deviation vs. magnetic variation. (Vid 134 or Vid 232).

• Magnetic variation? (east is least, west is best). (FI)

Compass turns, standard rate... 

• Time to turn:  degrees to turn/3 = time; so 60° / 3 = 20”
• Bank:  airspeed/10 + 5 = bank;  90 kts --> 9+5 = 14°
• Rollout - 1/2 your bank angle in degrees prior to desired heading

“ANDS”

• ANDS is an acronym for Accelerate North Decelerate South. This is one type of magnetic compass error. This error primarily occurs if you are on an approximate heading of east or west, and most of this type of error occurs between 060 degrees and 120 degrees if the heading is easterly, or 240 degrees through 300 degrees if the heading is westerly.
• The magnetic compass will indicate a turn to the north if the aircraft is on one of these headings, and will indicate a turn to the south if the aircraft is decelerated while in this heading range. This error occurs due to magnetic dip. The error is eliminated when the airspeed stabilized.

“UNOS”

• UNOS is an acronym for Undershoot North Overshoot South. A false error occurs on the magnetic compass when the aircraft is turned. This phenomenon of the magnetic compass is called northerly turning error. This error is zero on east or west headings, but is pronounced on turns to either north or south. When turning from east/west to north, the magnetic compass card actually lags the heading of the aircraft, so we undershoot, or turn what appears to be early, when rolling out to a northerly heading. The opposite is true when turning to a southerly heading and we must turn what appears to be past the south heading.
• How do we compensate for this error?
• We must factor in latitude at which we are operating, plus one-half of our bank angle. We will use a latitude of 30 degrees for this session. With a bank angle of 16 degrees, we would take half of that (8 degrees) and calculate that into our bearing and roll out on a predetermined magnetic heading. The following is the initial part of the equation at 30 degrees latitude. This data reflects the amount of error when turning to various magnetic headings: If you are turning to:
• Amount of Error on the Compass 
• 360 Degrees 30 degrees of error
• 030 and 330 degrees 20 degrees of error
• 060 and 300 degrees 10 degrees of 
• 090 and 270 degrees 0 degrees of error
• 120 and 240 degrees 10 degrees of error
• 150 and 210 degrees 20 degrees of error
• 180 degrees 30 degrees of error
• Now we must calculate the lead by adding or subtracting ½ of the bank angle and applying this to the compass card readings at different points on the turn. Let’s say we are turning right to a heading of north from a heading of west. There is no error when we are on the initial heading of 270 degrees. We now roll into a 16-degree bank to the right. The compass card is now indicating a turn to the right, but the rate is faster than the turn. Using the information on the last page, the adjusted roll out point is 330 degrees as we are going to UNDERSHOOT NORTH. We deduct ½ of the bank angle (8 degrees) and start our roll out when the compass card is 322 degrees. Here are some other examples, but remember that we OVERSHOOT SOUTH. We will assume a bank angle of 16 degrees for these examples.
• Direction/New Heading Roll Out Heading Bank Angle Correction Roll Out
• Left to 360 Degrees 030 degrees 8 degrees 038 degrees
• Right to 180 Degrees 210 degrees 8 degrees 202 degrees
• Left to 180 degrees 150 degrees 8 degrees 158 degrees
• Right to 300 degrees 290 degrees 8 degrees 282 degrees
• Left to 300 degrees 310 degrees 8 degrees 318 degrees
• Right to 150 degrees 170 degrees 8 degrees 162 degrees.
• Remember that the magnetic compass is the primary navigation reference in an aircraft. It is important that you have a general working knowledge of this instrument. These calculations are only used to offset the compass error while you are in a turn. The compass will stabilize when you roll to wings level. A smaller amount of roll out lead is required with smaller bank angles. So if you are at 30 degrees latitude and you are turning left to a heading of 180 degrees with a 5- degree bank angle, you would overshoot the desired heading by 30 degrees and be within 2 ½ degrees when you roll out. I have heard down south they teach “the south leads and the north lags.” Seems like this may be one way to remember what correction to apply.

- FIG -

Maneuvers / Execution / Techniques

Articles:

• 3 common pilot mistakes to avoid (level off, 45 entry, grip). (FP vid).
• Tips to prevent over controlling your plane.
• Tips & tricks from readers (GA News).

Braking: - see Landing (separate page).

Climbs / Descents:

• 5 easy ways to increase drag quickly.
• Need to lose altitude? 5 things you can do to descend quickly.
• Cruise climb speed, what is it and when should you use it?
• When to descend on a long straight-in final. (Vid 246).

Coordination / Rudder / Yaw:

• Conquer the “Driving” Habit! (SAFE).
• Cross-Coordinated. (NAFI).
• Video: The Rudder - It Gets No Respect!

Emergencies:  separate page.

Energy Management:  From AFH Chapter 4 - Energy management can be defined as the process of planning, monitoring, and controlling altitude and airspeed targets in relation to the airplane’s energy state in order to:

1. Attain / maintain desired vertical flightpath-airspeed profiles.
2. Detect, correct, and prevent unintentional altitude-airspeed deviations from desired energy state.
3. Prevent irreversible deceleration and/or sink rate that results in a crash.

• Energy Errors (AvWeb)
• Energy Management. (FAASTeam)
• Energy Management - National FAA Safety Team.  Part 1 and 2.
• Pitch and Power: Energy management is key to mastery of flight.
• Power and Pitch (Aviation Safety).
• Also check Aerodynamics

Final: see Landing.

Go Around(s):

• 8 times or 9 times you should go around.
• NOTE: They mention "bad bounce" - not "bounce".
• Avoiding traffic during a go-around. (Vid 184).
• Botched go around.
• Go-around technique. (Vid 96).
• How to fly a go-around.
• The aircraft will always go UP and LEFT (assuming a single engine piston aircraft)
• The 'binary' go-around.  Have you been instructed, or is it your own notion, that a bounced landing should be followed by a go-around?  If so, be careful of any 'binary' flying.  Physics are binary but how we handle things is usually not.  Here is a video of a bounce into a go around.  The plane could have easily landed from the bounce and if you're going to go around, do it correctly.  The video might be hard for some to watch.
• Also see Landing / My Morsals / Pilot Tips of the Week.

Ground Ops:

• Brief(s) - see Briefs / Debriefs.
• Holding short: How I do it at KFLY (or anywhere).
• Leaning: see Engines / Powerplants.
• Maintenance (MX) - see Systems.
• Parking (for runup): how I do it at KFLY.
• Preflight:
• 5 fall preflight items to watch out for.
• 5 things to look for when you sump your fuel.
• “COWS” (color, odor, water, sediment).  Odor can help if the entire sample is water.
• 9 things that can be easily overlooked during preflight.
• Don't forget to check these 6 small parts on every preflight.
• Knowledge Check/Quizzes:
• You're checking the maintenance logbook... 5Qs.
• You're checking out the maintenance logbook...5Qs.
• Renting an airplane? 8 things you should always check.
• Runup (parking): how I do it at KFLY.
• Taxiing:
• 5 common mistakes pilots make.
• 8 reasons you should use the 'airport moving map' during your next taxi.
• Are you taxiing too rich? (Vid 248).
• How far should you taxi behind a jet?
• Taxi at large airports like a pro. (Flying Mag).
• Tips to handle icy runways and taxiways.
• Safety related.
• Why you shouldn't fly with a dirty windshield.

Ground Reference Maneuvers:

• Chandelle:
• How to fly one. (Sporty's)
• Learn the chandelle maneuver. (Thrust Flight)
• Eights on Pylons:
• How to fly 8s on Ps. (Thrust Flight).
• Lazy Eights:
• See checkrides, Commercial.
• Rectangle course. (King).
• This is one way to do it.  I make the rectangle around a segment of road (just like a runway), not around four roads.
• Turns around a point...
• 4 tips to clean up your turns around a point.
• What’s the point of ground reference maneuvers?
• Why ground reference maneuvers matter. Fundamentals Series (MzA).

Landing: (separate page)

Maneuver Guides:

• C172 (Rick Aviation, 2018)
• C172 (EKU Aviation, 2020)
• C172 S/R (Thrust Flight, 2021)
• Also see Ground Reference Maneuvers above.

Night Flight/Flying:

• 5 tips for better night landings.
• 7 ways to find an airport hidden by nighttime darkness.
• 8 of the most common night flying hazards.
• 9 ways to avoid the hazards of night flight.
• 22 tips you need to know for flying at night.
• Night visual approaches: how to avoid losing SA.
• Quizzes / Knowledge check:
• You're doing 3 night takeoffs and landings... 6Qs.
• The art of night flight. (FAA Safety).
• When can you log night flight and night landings?
• See also Illusions in Human Factors.

Passengers:

• 9 ways to make nervous passengers more comfortable.

Rudder / Yaw / Coordination: see Coordination above.

Slips:

• Forward slip - how to correct a high final.
• Real pilots know how to slip.
• Slipping with full flaps.
• Slips and Skids. (NAFI).
• Stalling in a forward slip. (Vid 53, Vid 153).
• What happens if you stall in a forward slip? (Vid 53).

Spins:  go to Upset Prevention & Recovery Training.

Stalls: +

• 4 ways to get better at stall recoveries.
• Aircraft stalling: 3 basic kinds.
• Avoiding power-on stalls. (ASI vid).
• Avoiding traffic pattern stalls. (ASI vid).
• Cross-controlled stalls: How to prevent them.
• Decelerated stalls - do they exist? (GA News)
• Elevator trim stalls:
• How to prevent it from happening to you.
• Fear of / reluctance to:
• Afraid of stalls? Try a falling leaf.
• Fear of stalling. (MzeroA vid).
• Power-on stalls
• Power on stalls can happen where you least expect them.
• Practicing them.
• Video from Sporty's.
• Quizzes on stalls:
• Any point beyond _____ is where... 6Qs.
• As an aircraft's weight increases... 7Qs.
• Assuming your aircraft's weight... 6Qs.
• What happens when you increase... 5Qs.
• Recovery: 6 common mistakes made by pilots.
• Secondary stalls aren’t the same as a “second” stall. (FTC)
• Stall horn fallacy of stall prevention.
• Stalling with the nose pointed down. (Machado vid)
• Stall/Spin classic facts and myths. (1982 vid).
• Weight, how does it affect stall speed? (Vid 163).
• Also see My Morsels.

Steep Spirals:

• Ultimate tutorial on steep spirals. (Thrust Flight vid).

Steep Turns:

• Aerodynamics of a steep turn.
• Article by Aviation Safety.
• How to master steep turns.
• Sporty’s flight maneuver spotlight.
• Steep turns. (AvWeb).
• Video Tip: Steep turns in flight.

Takeoff: +

• 6 common takeoff mistakes, and how to avoid them.
• 10 tips for safer takeoffs and landings. (FAA)
• Aborted / Rejected Takeoff:
• 7 times you should reject a takeoff.
• #2 is a misspeak – half of planned TO distance is better.
• #9 (not in the list) – anytime you think you should.
• How to safely stop during a rejected takeoff.
• Brief (see Briefs).
• Can you take off with another plane on the runway?
• Crosswind takeoffs:
• How to handle crosswinds during takeoff. (Sporty's vid)
• How to make a perfect crosswind takeoff.
• Prep for private pilot exam. (vid).
• Also see Landing.
• Go around(s) - see above
• Impossible turn from GA News or from AOPA.
• Improbable turn. (YouTube)
• Knowledge check / quizzes:
• You're flying into Flagstaff, AZ… 5Qs
• Rejected Takeoffs:
• See Aborted / Rejected Takeoff above.
• Rotation:
• Questions from the Cockpit: Rotate what, exactly?
• Runway centerline: 
• Should you fly runway heading or runway centerline on takeoff?
• Short/soft field takeoffs:
• Achieving short field success. (FAA).
• Clearing the 50’ obstacle. (Backcountry182).
• How to fly the perfect short field takeoff and climb. (FTC).
• How to fly a perfect soft field approach and landing. (FTC).
• How to make a good one (short field).
• See My Morsels on short/soft fields.
• Takeoff and landing refresher. (Wally Moran)
• Techniques for better takeoffs. (video)
• Wake turbulence:
• Tips to avoid wake turbulence during takeoff and landing.
• Tips to avoid wake turbulence. Vid 21, Vid 62, Vid 162 or Vid 211.
• See also Takeoff Briefing, Performance and Pilot Tips of the Week.

Traffic Patterns:

• 6 ways to avoid irritating other pilots on your next flight.
• 8 tips to make a textbook traffic pattern every time.
• Aircraft in front of you isn't turning base. What should you do? (Vid 6).
• Back to basics in the traffic pattern. (NAFI).
• Base to final turn. (NAFI).
• C172, how I execute patterns in a Skyhawk.
• How I tweak it for 'localisms' at KFLY.
• Commit to Pattern Precision (FAA).
• Departure leg vs upwind leg. (Vid 9).
• Final - see Landing
• Fly a perfect pattern. (Pilot Workshops).
• Go arounds (see takeoff section above).
• Impossible turn.
• Improbable turn. (YouTube).
• Knowledge check / quizzes:
• The numbers 4 and 22 on the approach... 10 Qs.
• Non-Towered Airport:
• Fly a flawless traffic pattern at a non-towered airport.
• How to fly traffic patterns at non-towered airports.
• Upwind vs. departure leg. (vid 66).
• When should you reduce power in the pattern? (Vid 212).
• See also Pilots Tip of the Week.

Trim: see Systems / Equipment.

• Should you trim during landing?
• Weber’s Law – how it relates to trimming. (Machado Vid).
• When should you use trim?
• Also check: Systems / Equipment.

Turn performance (radius):

• Optimizing turn performance. (AOPA).

Visual Flight: - how to enforce it

• If you have students who stare at the gauges, my first recommendation is to cover them.  So as not to keep them from recognizing a 30° bank turn, I let them see it.  I cut a suction cup to hide the ADI minus the 30° bank turn.  Why?  Because I want them to hear, feel, sense their energy state by using their nose position.  This is also where the stall warning comes into  effect.
  

Yaw / Coordination / Rudder: see Coordination above.

Flying IS Great - Improve every flight!

Mountain Flying

I will teach you mountain flying if so desired.  You can contact me directly, use the "Contact me" form on each page, or go through Springs Aviation.  My availability is always on my AvCal which can help you plan your flight/visit.

If you want to fly in your own airplane, I fully support it, and think it's a better choice.  We've had people fly in from out of state to take the course so don't hesitate to do the same.

These are the academics normally provided:

• Brief, "Mountain Flying: Ground Knowledge" (PPT or PDF, used by Springs Aviation).
• Brief, "Mountain Flying: Doing it Safely" (my version, PPT or PDF).
• Brief outline:
• Mountain Weather
• Flight Planning
• Aircraft Performance
• Human Factors
• Navigation and Terrain Awareness
• Performance Maneuvers
• Techniques for Crossing Ridge lines
• Landing and Take-off Techniques
• Emergency Procedures
• Go-no-Go judgment
• Additional handouts: AWOS stations and Suggested Route.
• Colorado Airport Directory.

This is the typical route, and on SkyVector.

Landing:

• How can I land better at high altitude airports? (Vid 1).
• Mechanical turbulence: landing at a mountain airport. (Vid 4).

Weather:

• 3 reasons microbursts are more hazardous in the mountains.
• AM or PM - which is better for mountain flying or summer mountain flying?
• Mountain wave(s):
• 3 reasons why they are more common in the fall and winter.
• Why it's less common in the summer. (Vid 35).
• Why it's more common in the fall. (Vid 51).
• 3 ways to identify mountain waves from forecasts.
• 4 ways to recognize mountain wave from the air.
• Case study: Mountain wave today in Boulder, CO.
• Dangers of it, and how to avoid it.
• Does it still happen in the spring? (Vid 45).
• Flying through it. (Vid 25).
• How do they form? (Vid 42).
• How to identify mountain wave risks. (Vid 43).
• The two types of mountain wave. (Vid 22).
• Turbulence
• Where you'll find it in flight.
• Where you find it, and how to avoid it.
• Mountain weather. (vid from BM).
• Slope winds:
• 4 ways mountain airports are affected by slope winds.
• What are slope winds? (Vid 50).
• Thunderstorms:
• 3 ways thunderstorms form in the mountains.
• Managing mountain thunderstorms in the spring. (Vid 30).
• Winds in the Columbia River Gorge. (Vid 5).
• See also Weather.

Weather Resources:

• Monarch Pass AWOS:  719-539-4436
• Salida (KANK) AWOS:  719-539-5268
• Bald Mountain AWOS:  303-512-4419
• Buena Vista (KAEJ) AWOS:  719-395-2599
• Leadville (KLXV) AWOS:  719-486-8441
• Aspen (KASE) ASOS:  970-205-2482
• Glenwood Springs (KGWS) AWOS:  970-524-7386
• Eagle County (KEGE) AWOS:  970-524-7386
• Copper Mountain AWOS:  970-968-1715
• Wilkerson Pass AWOS:  303-512-4418

• FAA Aviation Weather Cameras
•  https://avcams.faa.gov/
• It defaults to Alaska…just drag the map to Colorado

Other resources:

• Accident case study: Into thin air. (AOPA)
• AOPA Mountain Flying Course (I do not think membership is required)
• Lee eddies, flying through them. Vid 39.
• Mountain Flying.
• Mountain Flying Basics. (AOPA).
• Mountain Flying in a Cirrus (video from COPA).
• Mountain Flying Tips. (Sportys vid).
• Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF).
• Tips on Mountain Flying (fly8ma)
• Trent Palmer on mountain flying.  Not a CFI, but knowledgeable.

Flying is great...improve every flight!

Multiengine / High Performance / Complex

ALSO SEE:

• Constant Speed Props / Manifold Pressure
• Engines / Powerplants

Coffin corner - 6 question quiz.

Jets:

• 5 engine start malfunctions you'll learn about before flying jets.
• Cruise performance (vid).
• How does a turbofan engine work?
• Quizzes:
• On a turbofan engine, what is N1? 6Qs.
• What is N1 on a turbofan engine? 6Qs.
• Where does bypass air go on a turbofan... 6Qs

Multiengine:

• Aerodynamics.
• The “Drill” (emergencies)
• Pitch for Blue Line
• Mixture
• Props
• Throttles
• Flaps set
• Gear up
• Identify and slap your leg
• Verify and pull the throttle back
• Feather
• Mixture
• Engine failure checklist
• Quiz:
• Why is one engine considered critical...5Qs.
• You're flying with an engine inoperative... 6Qs
• You're planning to do your checkride in a Beechcraft... 6Qs.
• Safety Alert: Know when to feather propeller if one engine loses power.
• Staying safe in multi-engine flight. (NAFI).
• Transitioning to multiengine flying? Here’s how.
• Vmc Demo
• Reduce power / lower nose (reduce AOA)
• MULTTI OPS - acronym for determining Vmc
• Maximum takeoff power on operating engine, Unfavorable center of gravity (aft and lateral), Landing gear retracted, Takeoff weight (maximum allowable), Takeoff flaps (in the takeoff position), In trim (for takeoff), Out of ground effect, Propeller windmilling (on the inoperative engine) and Standard day conditions (sea level ISA)

Training:

• Taming the Twin by Air Safety Institute:
• Engine failure during cruise.
• Engine failure during takeoff.
• Intro to multiengine airplanes.
• Single-engine operations.
• Four rules for safe multiengine flying.
• Transitioning to a higher performance aircraft. (AOPA).

Turbochargers: see Turbochargers in Engines / Powerplants.

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