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PBN Principles, Part 1

“PBN” and “RNP” are abbreviations we throw around willy-nilly. But, does anybody really know what they mean. Read on, and you’ll be in the select group who do.

On the Air—March 2025

While flying my SR22 from Tallahassee, Florida to Natchez, Mississippi, the controller at Houston Center switched my frequency to his co-worker. After trying unsuccessfully...

Should You Use VTF?

Vectors-to-Final is a neat, convenient and simple way to load an approach if that’s what you expect. But, at times, it might turn out to be too simple.

Readback—March 2025

Didn’t Understand I read and repeatedly reread the sidebar labeled Hold for Wake turbulence in the December 2024 ATC Notebook article, Weight and Wake. I could...

How Fast Should You Go?

It’s not just the speed of the aircraft that matters; it’s the time for a given trip.

Holding Entry

Today, with all the tools ATC has, a pilot can go years without holding. But, holds are still used and we must be able to handle them. And entry is the most challenging.

All About the Forecast

Ever wonder where those predictions really come from? Actually, they come from human forecasters, but they make extensive use of the available computer models.

IFR Quiz—February 2025

Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) expedite the finding of a downed aircraft. In 2023, the Cospas-Sarsat satellite network found 44 digital ELT-equipped aircraft. The time to find an aircraft is down from hours to minutes. This quiz might make you rethink whether betting on the old analog ELT in your airplane is worth your life.

Become a Controller

Most of you are pilots. Have you ever wondered how to cross over and become a controller? It’s a difficult road, but can be very rewarding.

PPL ACS in IMC

What’s that you ask? Why it’s simply flying some Private Pilot maneuvers while simultaneously shooting approaches. Don’t worry—you got this.

Readback—February 2025

Better Lost Comm I am an avid reader of IFR and wanted to thank Mark Kolber for his excellent article ”Lost-Comm Realities” in December 2024....

Have it Your Way

Anyone not living under a rock for the last 30 years surely realizes that avionics have undergone a major revolution. With new aircraft, nearly...