This lesson is a quick overview of the airway system in the United States. Airways are the "highways in the sky" that connect each point in the United States. Airways tell air traffic controllers where we are going and how we are going to get there. Without airways, all aircraft would be free to amble their way across the country on their own and in their own direction. Most … [Read more...] about An Overview of Airways
instruments
Charted IFR Altitudes
This lesson explores the different types of IFR altitudes charted on an Enroute Low Altitude Chart. The types of altitudes most commonly found on the low altitude chart are the Minimum Enroute Altitude (MEA), Minimum Obstacle Clearance Altitude (MOCA), Minimum Crossing Altitude, Minimum Reception Altitude, Maximum Authorized Altitude, and Off Route Obstruction Clearance … [Read more...] about Charted IFR Altitudes
Drawing Holding Entries
I've gotten a few questions lately about how to properly draw a holding entry when looking at a hold. The process is the same for all holds regardless of position, direction, or if it has standard turns or not. The first step is to draw out the hold at the fix. Once you have drawn the hold, you then draw a long line along the holding course which extends beyond the dimensions … [Read more...] about Drawing Holding Entries
The 5 Most Important Briefing Items on an Approach Chart
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
Approach Plate Airport Diagram
The airport diagram section of the instrument approach chart gives the pilot the complete overview of the airport he or she is flying to. The information provided includes airport elevation, runway layouts, lighting, runway lengths, approach path, and approach timing. All of this information is critical if the pilot intends to break out and land at the runway, since … [Read more...] about Approach Plate Airport Diagram