Questions tagged [usa]
Use this tag for questions which are specific to the United States, but not regulatory in nature. For questions about aviation regulations in the US, use the faa-regulations tag.
430
questions
1
vote
0
answers
113
views
Can any US airline fly to and from any US city it wants to?
I am trying to understand the US commercial aviation industry. Assuming that slots are available, are US airlines permitted to fly to and from any US city they want to? Or are there limited permits ...
- 393
-1
votes
1
answer
133
views
How to join Air Force Reserve with minor injuries that would interfere with Basic Training? [closed]
Is it possible to get waivers on fitness part of the Basic Training for joining to Air Force Reserve? If not, is there a way to join Air Force Reserves without Basic Training?
Are there alternative ...
- 319
1
vote
1
answer
238
views
Where are the seaport conventions for VFR charts explained?
VRF charts contain information about seaports. For example, 00 - 50 in the formation block for HNL seems to be for a waterway:
...
- 383
10
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Is it possible to use US-made engines in Russian made air-frames? [closed]
Suppose, someone buys 300 Pratt & Whitney engines from the USA and 150 Mig-35 air frames from Russia. Then, they use their in-house expertise to fit those engines to those air-frames.
What ...
- 846
1
vote
2
answers
2k
views
Do US state governors have jurisdiction over their airspace?
Do local governments have any control over their local airspace in the US. Could a governor singlehandedly close or restrict the airspace above his state? I know the FAA controls national airspace ...
0
votes
1
answer
241
views
I just watched at least 20 airplanes flying northeast over Washington, DC every 15-20 seconds, what were they?
I just watched at least 20 airplanes flying northeast every 15-20 seconds over Washington, DC. They must have been military aircraft since flying very high. I just saw their lights (not blinking). ...
- 1
4
votes
1
answer
166
views
FIS-B Product Registry Location
I'm a software engineer that's interested in decoding raw FIS-B data. DO-267A (E.1) points me at http://fpr.tc.faa.gov/default.asp as the location of the FIS-B Product Registry. However, I have been ...
- 151
0
votes
0
answers
93
views
What modifications/upgrades were done to US MD-80 fleet?
I have often heard stories about how most of the MD-80 fleet that are being retired in the US were modified and upgraded.
What were the modifications or upgrades done?
22
votes
2
answers
6k
views
How much does a typical private pilot pay for a non-training flight?
I realize one can expect to pay upwards of $10k to receive their Private Pilot certificate. Understood entirely.
However, my question revolves around the everyday expense of your average Joe pilot ...
- 1,413
2
votes
2
answers
131
views
Is it harder to get a first pilot certificate in a motorglider compared to a normal powered aircraft (near St. Paul, MN.)?
Is it harder to get a first pilot certificate in a motorglider (glider - self launch) vs. normal powered aircraft near St. Paul, MN.
It seems like a self launch glider certificate would be a great ...
2
votes
5
answers
602
views
What are the main obstacles to becoming IFR-rated in USA?
Compared to getting a PPL, is it hard to become IFR-rated in USA, and if yes, why?
I recalled from the late 90s and early 2000s a statistic that said there are two GA accidents every three days.
And ...
user14897
1
vote
1
answer
222
views
Could a controller or airport in the US decide to use English-style landing clearances?
In the U.S., controllers are allowed to clear multiple planes to land on the same runway, with the assumption that the first plane to land will be out of the way by the time the second plane gets ...
- 12.8k
2
votes
1
answer
142
views
Does the TIS-B "hockey-puck" contain VFR mode-C targets with unconfirmed altitude?
When receiving TIS-B traffic via ADS-B In, I'm curious what mode-C targets are included.
Is it only mode-C traffic with confirmed altitude in contact with ATC services (presumably with a transponder ...
- 1,755
0
votes
0
answers
102
views
How come PSA airlines got the same IATA code as Comair?
PSA Airlines has the same IATA 2-letter code, "OH", as the now-defunct carrier Comair. Yet - the two companies are not related.
How is it, that IATA reassigned the same code to an unrelated carrier ...
- 546
0
votes
1
answer
104
views
ExpressJet IATA code before "merger" with Atlantic Southeast?
Before 2011, Atlantic Southeast had the IATA 2-letter code "EV". Then,
On November 22, 2011, both ExpressJet and Atlantic Southeast Airlines achieved a single operating certificate that allowed ...
- 546
7
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Are commercial VFR flights legal?
I live in Southern California and was surprised to learn today that a local company is operating very short-haul VFR flights as an alternative to car commuting.
https://www.floatshuttle.com/
I can ...
- 173
1
vote
3
answers
246
views
Where can I find current downloadable tower, ground and approach frequencies for USA airports?
I have searched the FAA site and cannot find a spreadsheet with current freqs for airports, only incomplete lists. Online flight planning tools must get query-able current freqs on a monthly basis, ...
- 41
18
votes
3
answers
13k
views
What makes an airport "international"?
What are the requirements for an airport to be designated as an international airport in the US? Is there a minimum runway size or required customs office?
- 283
2
votes
1
answer
172
views
How do class E/G airfields charge for stops without refuel?
Do many Class E/G airfields charge for short stops without gas purchase? Sorry for the stupid question...recent PPL here and my training has mostly been T&G rather than full stops to the FBO. ...
- 433
1
vote
1
answer
5k
views
Can I listen to control tower frequencies on a ham radio legally [duplicate]
Is there a frequency I can tune into to listen to airport I’m in Durham by RDU AIRPORT and would like to listen in on a ham radio only legally
3
votes
2
answers
290
views
How feasible is it to sell a plane with an expiring annual?
I'm preparing to sell my plane, an IFR-equipped, low-time, C150E, but the annual expires at the end of this month.
What's the best course of action? I know that if I was buying a plane, I would love ...
- 1,549
2
votes
1
answer
421
views
What did this ATC call mean?
Audio Clip
There is a rwy 24 in this airport. I'm not sure but the aircraft callsign likes 'TBN3BV'. I tried to find what the aircraft type is but I couldn't. Does somebody know what type of aircraft ...
- 593
2
votes
0
answers
177
views
Is "margin final" an ATC instruction in USA?
I was south-east of the airport and the active runway was 24. The ATC said, "Make straight in and remain south." And then he said, "Margin final, cleared [to] land."
What is margin final? I'm an ...
- 593
3
votes
2
answers
1k
views
How do I request a touch and go and then remain closed traffic?
When I first contact a tower to request touch-and-go, if I want to remain closed traffic after the touch-and-go, can I say
'...tower, call sign, location, inbound for touch-and-go and remain closed ...
- 593
1
vote
0
answers
127
views
Can an AFSP training request be renewed when the current one has not yet expired?
My Alien Flight Student Program (AFSP) training request expires in about two months, so the aviation school I'm learning with asked me to just go ahead and create a new training request so there's no ...
- 111
8
votes
1
answer
3k
views
How many US airports have 4 or more parallel runways?
Which airports in the US have four or more parallel runways?
How many are planning additions in the next 5 years?
A few years back, 10 years, Charlotte opened their 3rd parallel runway and it was ...
- 99
4
votes
2
answers
637
views
Can military officers change occupation to become pilots?
From what I have read, the paths to become a fixed-wing pilot in the Air Force, Navy, and Marines, are to go to a military academy, enroll in ROTC in college, or go to an officer training school after ...
- 165
4
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Where does one request a VFR transition route through class B?
Other than staying outside class B until being cleared in, is the point where one requests a transition route important? For example, the SFO B coastline transition is shown as starting up at San ...
4
votes
1
answer
607
views
Can I log my military training time as PIC, if I have a PPL?
It's my understanding that instrument and commercial training time can be logged as PIC, after you have a PPL. I received my PPL in a standard C-172.
I was about to go through and log all my ...
- 6,867
4
votes
1
answer
144
views
Is the "auto-routing" created by online flight planning resources preferred by ATC over Direct routing when NO preferred route exists?
I noticed that when I use online flight planning resources, they provide an "auto-routing" option for my flight. I also noticed that they are the same between both services so it seems like both are ...
- 8,532
4
votes
1
answer
329
views
Does ATC clear IFR helicopters for a visual approach if landing at a helipad on a high-rise?
I'm guessing that most helipads on downtown high rises don't have any instrument approaches. If a helicopter is on an IFR to a helipad without any instrument approaches, does ATC just clear them for ...
- 4,193
7
votes
1
answer
315
views
Is failure to comply with evacuation procedures illegal?
In every flight, we are instructed that we must leave our personal belongings in case of evacuation. I remember also notified that it is illegal not to follow the rules (I don't remember if this goes ...
- 1,767
4
votes
1
answer
830
views
Are flight schools required to verify citizenship of all students?
Is the requirement to confirm citizenship and provide a logbook endorsement required for those who already hold a pilot certificate?
Does another instructor's prior endorsement that confirms ...
- 8,761
4
votes
2
answers
490
views
What is the meaning of Spirit ###?
This Popular Mechanics article writes (about the B-2 Spirit).
Only 543 people have ever flown in the cockpit of a B-2. Upon landing I'll become number 544, with the new Air Force handle "Spirit 544....
- 259
4
votes
1
answer
213
views
Why does 14 CFR have skipped subparts as seen in the ASA 2019 FAR/AIM book?
As an example, part 91.101 skips every even number until 91.126.
Why are they not in sequence as 101, 102, 103, etc?
- 8,761
3
votes
2
answers
958
views
Why are some legs of a SID considered transitions, even when there's only one?
For example, consider the BAYPO8 departure from Tampa (KTPA). The CAMJO waypoint is the final waypoint on a rather linear route that does not contain other final waypoints. The second page of the FAA ...
2
votes
2
answers
758
views
What is the maximum distance for class C service?
Sectionals say to contact the approach center of a class C airspace within 20 miles. Is this a suggestion or a rule?
What is the maximum distance to contact them via radio, other than signal ...
- 8,761
1
vote
1
answer
413
views
What is the largest flight school in the U.S. that does not offer a degree?
Definition of "largest" for the purpose of this question: the greatest number of flight operations per year on average.
What is the largest flight school in the United States that does not offer a ...
- 8,761
3
votes
1
answer
291
views
What is the traffic pattern altitude at KSQL?
According to some online sources (https://skyvector.com/airport/SQL/San-Carlos-Airport and https://www.airnav.com/airport/KSQL) TPA at San Carlos Airport is 800 ft AGL. However, reading the Chart ...
- 133
1
vote
1
answer
659
views
What is the ratio of Commercial + ATP pilots with employment as pilots in the US?
Of all certificated commercial/ATP pilots in the US under the age of 65, how many are employed in full-time pilot roles vs commercial/ATP pilots with some other profession than a pilot?
- 8,761
1
vote
0
answers
201
views
Has FAA published any A-RNP STAR or A-RNP / RNP AR DP SID?
After reading FAA's Performance Based Navigation Strategy 2016, I tried to search for already published Departure Procedures of RNP specification. I could only find some that require RNP-1, even ...
- 1,853
1
vote
3
answers
981
views
Why does the U.S. have so many general-aviation aircraft?
In a comment on my previous question about the paucity of South Korean general-aviation aircraft in the 1990s, @Pondlife pointed out (in response to my comparison between the numbers of GA aircraft ...
- 28.1k
13
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Why isn't KTEX's runway designation 10/28 instead of 9/27?
Why is the marking on the runway written as (9/27) Telluride (KTEX), Colorado, USA. whereas the direction is 284 degrees? Shouldn't it be (10/28) instead?
- 131
3
votes
3
answers
1k
views
When is squawk 1000 assigned in USA?
From Are squawk codes used with ADS-B?:
Yes, squawk codes are still used and required with ADS-B.
The post is 3 years old though. And from Wikipedia List of transponder codes:
1000: Used ...
user14897
23
votes
5
answers
9k
views
Why are special aircraft used for the carriers in the United States Navy?
Why are aircraft such as the legacy F-14 and now the F/A-18 used by the US Navy carriers?
It seems to me that developing a new aircraft from the ground up is very expensive. Is it not possible to ...
- 3,897
2
votes
4
answers
7k
views
Why does a sport certificate have no distance restriction while recreational does?
A recreational pilot certificate only allows flights within 50 miles of home airport. A sport certificate has no distance limits even though it's easier to get - no medical certificate, less flying ...
- 289
12
votes
4
answers
24k
views
What is the purpose of squawking 7777?
Aircraft use transponders to communicate to ATC their position and status. Some squawk codes are reserved, such as 7700 (emergency), 7600 (communication failure), 7500 (hijacking), 1202 (glider), 1200 ...
- 427
5
votes
1
answer
6k
views
Is there a public NOTAM archive that's searchable by airport?
Pilotweb lists NOTAMs currently in effect. Is it possible to view or sort the history for a particular airport?
- 191
3
votes
1
answer
512
views
Where can I find US ARTCC sector boundary coordinates?
For an academic purpose, I would like to map US airspace using GIS tools with coordinates. I found the airspace boundary coordinates from the eNASR, but no luck with the sector boundaries.
Any ...
- 31
2
votes
1
answer
425
views
Can I legally land an airplane in in Badwater Basin, CA?
Would it be legal to land a light plane in the Badwater Basin salt flats in Death Valley National Park?
Let me add that you can obviously land in the park, as you have runways at both Furnace Creek ...
- 926