Ask 100 pilots to give an approach briefing and you will get 100 different briefs. Here are the 5 essential elements that I have come up with for briefing each approach I fly. As a rule I brief everything on the chart, but these items are what I make sure to emphasize to ensure a successful outcome. (Note: this is not intended to be everything needed to safely fly an approach, … [Read more...] about The 5 Most Important Briefing Items on an Approach Chart
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Straight in Approach vs. Straight in Landing
What's the difference? You make a straight in approach to a straight in landing, right? No so fast. While these two terms seem to be nearly identical they actually have a completely different meaning. Straight-In Approach: An instrument approach wherein final approach is begun without first having executed a procedure turn Not necessarily completed with a straight-in … [Read more...] about Straight in Approach vs. Straight in Landing
Holding Basics
Holding is considered one of the most difficult things to learn when flying instruments. Any holding pattern includes the same four basic elements: Holding Fix Holding Course Outbound Heading Inbound / Outbound Ends Each element of the holding pattern is just a simple heading or course intercept, just like normal IFR flying. The holding fix is the point where the … [Read more...] about Holding Basics
Determining Holding Entries
Holding entries are considered by many students to be the most difficult item to learn while flying instruments. Determining the proper entry requires situational awareness and an understanding of how the entry sectors are divided. There are three types of holding entries: Parallel Teardrop Direct To understand each entry sector, let's think of holding in terms of a … [Read more...] about Determining Holding Entries