Flying

Five Reasons Not To Fly A Coupled Approach

Over-reliance on autopilots for instrument approaches can degrade pilot hand-flying skills, making it dangerous if the autopilot fails, especially when flying near minimums. Autopilots have ...
Flying

Briefing The Approach

Formal, systematic instrument approach briefings are crucial for flight safety, helping aircrews (even single pilots) align on procedure, divide duties, and identify vital information and potential ...
Aviation Week

Flying Circling Approaches In The Real World, Part 1

Earning an instrument and a type rating today still demands the applicant successfully fly a circling approach. Despite the FAA’s recent Advisory Circular (AC) 120-123 calling for an increased focus ...
Aviation Week

Flying Circling Approaches In The Real World, Part 2

In Part 1, we discussed how there’s a significant difference between flying a circling approach in training and flying one in the real world. In the U.S., approaches are created using criteria ...