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.

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What approvals do I need for a helicopter landing?

I have a horrible conflict; my sons are graduating on the same day at about the same time in different states. One in East Greenbush NY the other in Beverly MA. I am interested in hiring a ...
Paula's user avatar
  • 31
12 votes
1 answer
539 views

Why did flight NH175 divert back to Los Angeles?

In the news recently is All Nippon Airways flight NH175, which returned to LAX after four hours towards NRT when it was discovered that a passenger aboard did not have the correct ticket, although his ...
Peter Schilling's user avatar
28 votes
1 answer
2k views

At a non-towered airport in the US, what should I do if I hear a medevac flight waiting to take off while I'm turning base?

I'm in the left downwind at my favorite non-towered airport. Just while I'm making the turn to base, I hear a radio call on CTAF: "Such-and-such Traffic, Medevac 123, holding short runway 31." They ...
Tanner Swett's user avatar
  • 5,761
0 votes
0 answers
85 views

Can an N registered aircraft operate scheduled service from USA to/from a Category 2 country?

Am looking at economics of a scheduled service between Honolulu and Tarawa but need an N registered aircraft to do it.
Eric Morgan's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
205 views

Are there any problems opening a helipad close to an airport?

I am looking at the possibility of installing a helipad at my house which is within 1.5 miles of a Class D airport. The location is not in the approach to any of the runways, however. I am not a ...
Tyler Durden's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
501 views

Is there a new "best practices" technique for demonstrating stall recovery?

This is a question that is probably best suited for active flight instructors. I was doing an FBO checkout and the CFI asked me to demonstrate power on and power off stall recoveries, but well before ...
Devil07's user avatar
  • 8,532
8 votes
3 answers
1k views

How do I find all the frequencies for my local TRACON?

I'd like to program my hand held radio with all frequencies that I can expect to need around my area. Specifically, I'd like to find an official list of all the frequencies used by the local Tracon ...
2NinerRomeo's user avatar
  • 2,193
2 votes
1 answer
428 views

What is the folded size of a sectional map?

Bending aluminum for a map box, and am curious as to the folded dimension of a sectional chart. My present resources use moving maps on EFIS and iPad, but I would like to carry standard paper charts.
drPete's user avatar
  • 23
12 votes
2 answers
4k views

What about hours flown solo without a student pilot certificate?

My instructor has ruined my training. 2.5 months ago when I started private pilot training (FAR61) I had zero knowledge about aviation. After 1.5 months he signed me off for solo and I finished all ...
Aug's user avatar
  • 229
4 votes
1 answer
2k views

Are 'climb via a SID' instructions actually used in the US?

In the USA, a departing aircraft is instructed to climb: to flight level and maintain, or via standard instrument departure (SID) That's according to US Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP). ...
Elmar's user avatar
  • 41
4 votes
3 answers
2k views

Is a license required to transmit in the designated aviation band?

Is an FCC license required for people to operate a radio in the aviation band?
tony's user avatar
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5 votes
1 answer
327 views

In the US, is it customary to tip the line personnel?

The etiquette of interacting with the line personnel wasn't really taught to me during flight training, and I feel that every time I ask for line service, I'm doing something wrong by not tipping. I ...
Ron Beyer's user avatar
  • 36k
15 votes
4 answers
4k views

Where can the airspace boundary coordinates for Fayetteville TRACON be found?

I would like a map depicting the airspace owned by Fayetteville TRACON that includes lat/long coordinates (i.e. not just a cartoon-y outline with no information). Ideally, I'd like to find a site ...
Brian's user avatar
  • 153
5 votes
2 answers
4k views

Does the US military use metric system?

Does the US military use the metric system for aviation? For example, does it use: feet or meters for altitude? nautical miles or kilometers for distance? knots or km/h for speed? inHg or hPa for ...
Zaz's user avatar
  • 1,549
3 votes
5 answers
488 views

Is a destination airport necessary for cross-country VFR departure clearance?

New flyer here. When you’re requesting departure clearance for a cross-country VFR, do you have to specify the destination airport to the controller, or can you just specify a direction (eg. “VFR to ...
user avatar
37 votes
4 answers
10k views

What prevents someone from hijacking a radio frequency mid-air?

For someone who wants to stay anonymous and probably terrorize the skies, what protective measures do we have? Without even thinking too deep, I can imaging the following scenarios for someone who's ...
RaajTram's user avatar
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6 votes
1 answer
1k views

How does the U.S. Overflight Fee system work?

After going through the Overflight Fees on FAA.GOV, the following is clear and self-explanatory: Exact fees Method of Payment (online, via Pay.gov as mentioned on the page). What's not clear to me ...
RaajTram's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
72 views

Is there a local UAS code database?

Has anyone created (or proposed) a database or clearinghouse of local and state codes, restrictions and prohibitions applicable to UAS?
mongo's user avatar
  • 17.7k
50 votes
5 answers
11k views

In the rare event that the U.S. DOD shuts off the GPS, what's the alternative?

In the U.S., the Department of Defense along with other Federal Agencies of the Government operates & maintains the GPS. In the rarest of the events, if for any reason whatsoever, the Government ...
RaajTram's user avatar
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3 votes
4 answers
2k views

Is there a radio frequency that is sure to be quiet?

When flying in beautiful VFR weather, I often search for a quiet frequency so I don't listen to a lot of chatter. Guard (121.5) sometimes works, but sometimes has "Guard"-ians on it. ("Yer on gaaard")...
abelenky's user avatar
  • 30.4k
2 votes
1 answer
591 views

When must full aircraft registration be used as radio callsign?

What are the FCC or FAA regulations that require one to use their full registration as radio callsign, unless abridged by air traffic control, when using an aircraft radio for transmitting? It seems ...
Dave's user avatar
  • 21
4 votes
2 answers
3k views

What is the call for when an enemy air-to-air missile has been fired?

In a scenario where a large multi-crewed aircraft was being attacked by a fighter that launched an air-to-air missile what would the call be that would alert the pilot that a missile was in the air ...
Ian Blair's user avatar
  • 167
2 votes
1 answer
4k views

Is there any class G airspace that extends to 14,500 MSL? [duplicate]

The U.S. Aeronautical Information Manual, part 3−2−6, lists a variety of airspace areas which may be designated type E. From reading this section, I get the impression that "typical" class E airspace ...
Yly's user avatar
  • 151
3 votes
1 answer
3k views

What are the lateral limits of Class D airspace in the USA?

Class D airspace was normally 5sm (4.4nm) with extensions for approaches, when they are less than 2nm. If any extension is over 2nm, then the extensions are normally Class E. Many publications claim ...
mongo's user avatar
  • 17.7k
4 votes
1 answer
3k views

What restrictions are there to building a tower near a private airstrip?

I'm exploring the possibility of putting up a radio tower on a property I own. The problem is that my property is roughly 1,000ft from a private airstrip. The location that I want to put the tower is ...
shanet's user avatar
  • 802
8 votes
1 answer
750 views

Is the phraseology in the early portion of the movie The Net realistic?

Bear with me for a moment; I know that this is based on a movie scene, but there's a real question at the end. Early in the 1995 movie The Net, there's a scene where a programmer is flying their ...
user's user avatar
  • 6,974
3 votes
1 answer
3k views

Can I join the Navy after a corrective eye surgery and still be a Naval Aviator?

I currently do not pass the requirements for uncorrected distant visual acuity according to the Navy physical standards document. However, if I were to receive eye surgery to correct my vision before ...
wow1881's user avatar
  • 33
23 votes
1 answer
1k views

What is this old US Army Air Corps plane?

This photo was taken by my Grandfather in 1918 at Rich Field in Wako, TX. I don't think that it is a Taube because of the front structure, engine type, 4 wheels, fuselage shape, etc.
W Steward's user avatar
  • 231
5 votes
3 answers
2k views

Can you report a crash landing on an emergency frequency even if you are not at the airport?

You see a crash landing near the airport but you're in a car, no other planes have reported the status of the plane, and Approach can no longer contact the plane. Can you report the crash on an ...
theman25's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
888 views

Can I take friends flying with a private pilot glider license?

In the US, will glider clubs let you take up friends in a two-seater if you have a private license? Or do you need a commercial license?
Elliot Gorokhovsky's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
642 views

Does a type rating give a person the privileges of an instrument rating in any category or class of aircraft which he/she is certificated in?

Suppose someone obtains a PPL-ASEL, then obtains a type rating in an aircraft requiring that rating e.g. jet, etc. This type rating functions as an instrument rating, allowing the pilot to fly the ...
Romeo_4808N's user avatar
  • 72.8k
9 votes
1 answer
1k views

Why is an ATC operational error called a "deal"?

Air Traffic Controllers who lose separation between aircraft call that event a "deal". Why? When the Conflict Alert function was added to the computer system, it reported conflicts to the area ...
FlyingBlind's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
254 views

At what age does a regularly maintained airframe most commonly start needing frequent repairs?

I am looking to buy a Cessna 182. I am trying to work out the sweet spot between age and price. I am looking for a plane that will be really reliable. I am looking to spend several months flying ...
drabjohns's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
556 views

How many active pilots are there in the US? How many are women?

How many active pilots are there in the US? Also, how many active flight instructors are there? Out of all of active pilots and flight instructors how many are women?
Devil07's user avatar
  • 8,532
8 votes
2 answers
979 views

In lost comms situations, when and where do the pilots of big commercial jets expect to get green light from tower?

In the event of lost comms, GA pilots are generally expected to circle over the airport looking for light gun signals from the tower. What about big commercials jets? Are they also expected to circle ...
lemonincider's user avatar
  • 7,537
5 votes
3 answers
1k views

Is it legal for a balloon to land at a US international airport?

Assuming the winds directed a hot air balloon near a US international airport, and the pilot has no other choice than landing, say near the runways/taxiways, would they face legal trouble/fines?
Daniel Offerman's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
5k views

When is flotation gear legally required for pilots and passengers on a non-commercial flight in a small airplane over water?

If I'm renting an airplane to fly myself and some friends over water beyond gliding distance, but within 50 nautical miles from the nearest shore, am I legally required to have any flotation devices ...
Devil07's user avatar
  • 8,532
5 votes
1 answer
2k views

How soon can I start my turn after reaching the missed approach point, when missed approach procedure calls for a climbing turn?

If the missed approach procedure only calls for a climbing right hand turn, at what altitude after reaching the missed approach point (MAP) can I initiate the turn on a precision approach that takes ...
Devil07's user avatar
  • 8,532
6 votes
4 answers
1k views

In the US, what can be done at an airport when volunteering hours?

I am a 15 years old and need volunteering hours for my course work. I am a aviation enthusiast with knowledge of the industry and love for anything that flies. I decided to fulfill my hours at a local ...
Alexander G.'s user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
1k views

Do airlines in the US or UK have to pay fuel taxes?

Do airlines in the US or UK have to pay fuel taxes? When looking at Jet-A prices on the Shell website, for example, it's unclear if the listed prices include taxes. Do they?
user19440's user avatar
  • 1,075
4 votes
2 answers
1k views

What is the relationship between the code of an Area Control Center (US) and associated Flight Information Region?

From the wiki page, what I understand is an Area Control Center (ACC), also known as a Center (or in some cases, en-route, as opposed to TRACON control), is a facility responsible for controlling ...
Akeshwar Jha's user avatar
11 votes
3 answers
1k views

Why do pilots refer to the Flight Service Stations as "Radio" in the the United States?

When using an aircraft radio to call a Flight Service Station ("FSS"), why do pilots refer to them as "radio?" I understand calling control towers "tower", ground control "ground", Air Route Traffic ...
Devil07's user avatar
  • 8,532
23 votes
2 answers
3k views

How does ATC handle tv coverage of police pursuits in the US?

On YouTube there's a lot of aerial footage of US police pursuits to be found, usually filmed from news helicopters, flying around and doing a lot of maneuvering in the same small area, sometimes in ...
Rob Vermeulen's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
181 views

How do foreigners (international students) work as airline pilots in the USA? [duplicate]

I am planning to study in the USA/Canada (whichever is easier to work afterwards) to get my pilot licenses from 0 to CFII or CFI-MEI, so my best bet is to apply for an F-1 visa program (since it ...
Ahmed's user avatar
  • 11
4 votes
1 answer
493 views

Where to find US airport weather Service Levels?

Where can I find an airport's level of service for weather services? In other words, how do I know if a given airport's Service Standard is a categorized as Service Level A, B, C and D? For ...
Bob Showalter's user avatar
4 votes
4 answers
708 views

Why can US deny airspace to commercial flights?

On September 25, 2011 i flew from Mexico City (MMMX) to Frankfurt, Germany (EDDF). It was a comfortable night flight in a Boeing 747 until we started to fly over the Gulf of Mexico in holding pattern....
ncomputers's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
4k views

Where can I get airport diagrams of non-towered airports?

I'm trying to find a couple of airport diagrams for right now: X26 and X59. Neither of them are listed in the Chart Supplement or on the FAA site. All I could get were those shabby diagrams presented ...
JWK's user avatar
  • 21
15 votes
2 answers
2k views

Are there legal limits associated with the use of the autopilot in the US?

A lot of new avionics basically fly small planes for you. Looking at a Beechcraft with a pretty cool glass cockpit, it claims to do everything for you except within 50 feet of the ground. Basically ...
oeste's user avatar
  • 559
6 votes
1 answer
1k views

Is there any comprehensive source for landing fee information? [closed]

Is there any comprehensive source for landing fee information for US airports? Airnav and the facility directory do not have landing fee information. Also, going to airport web sites often is ...
Tyler Durden's user avatar
  • 13.3k
3 votes
1 answer
2k views

What are the costs involved with getting a 2 seat ultralight?

About 7 years ago I got my private pilots cert but I let my medical cert lapse. Now that life is more settled I'd like to get back into flying but I want something that I can keep at home. I was ...
DotNetRussell's user avatar

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