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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14 votes
1 answer
533 views

Is it possible to get access to flight logs of USAAC trainer planes from the 1930s?

After answering this question on History.SE, I started to wonder if it would be possible to find out even more detail about the plane now that its serial number is known. I have no idea what kind of ...
called2voyage's user avatar
12 votes
2 answers
567 views

Do other countries create the equivalent of a TFR when US VIP's visit?

In the US, there's a TFR everywhere a designated VIP (US president or vice president) is going to be. When (most?) foreign VIPs visit the US, I don't think there are TFRs in place for them (unless the ...
mah's user avatar
  • 1,181
21 votes
2 answers
5k views

Where did the US 'N' registration letter come from?

Why is the first letter in US registration numbers 'N'? Other countries seem to use a letter significant to their country, for instance 'G' for Great Britain, 'F' for France, 'D' for Germany (...
flyingfisch's user avatar
  • 14.5k
11 votes
1 answer
1k views

Is skydiving not NOTAMed in the US?

Recently there was a mishap at South Lakeland Airport in Mulberry, Florida where a Cessna 170 collided with a skydiver. Luckily all involved suffered only minor injuries. As far as I know, skydiving ...
falstro's user avatar
  • 11.8k
10 votes
1 answer
1k views

Is the phrase "going missed" standard in the US?

The use of the phrase "going around" is specified by ICAO Doc 4444 as the phrase to use when we're aborting the landing and heading for another lap in the traffic pattern if we're on a visual or VFR ...
falstro's user avatar
  • 11.8k
12 votes
2 answers
4k views

What security clearances does a foreign citizen doing a flying course in the United States have to pass?

I remember reading that the security for foreigners doing a flying license in the United States were rigorous (as would be expected). As a European Union citizen, what would I expect to need to do ...
Thunderstrike's user avatar
20 votes
2 answers
4k views

What are the regulations regarding plane spotting in the US?

I was told that certain plane spotting activities like taking photos of aircraft taking off and landing could be illegal in the US since 9/11? What are the regulations on this, and what should I be ...
flyingfisch's user avatar
  • 14.5k
12 votes
1 answer
3k views

Is it legal to bring (or allow someone else to bring) a firearm on a private flight?

Say that I want to leave the city and go hunting somewhere. Is it legal to bring a hunting rifle and ammunition with me in a private airplane? If yes, are there specific procedures to follow in ...
Lnafziger's user avatar
  • 58.7k
22 votes
1 answer
70k views

How do I contact Flight Service while in flight?

How do I contact a Flight Service Station (FSS) in the United States in order to receive weather information or open a flight plan after I've already departed.
Magnetoz's user avatar
  • 3,845
10 votes
2 answers
6k views

What records should a CFI keep to prove they took due care in the quality of their instruction?

I know there has been some cases where a flight instructor is sued after a current or former student does something that gets themselves (the student) killed or causes damage. I know that there have ...
Canuk's user avatar
  • 8,392
12 votes
4 answers
48k views

On a chart, how can I find the frequency for flight following?

Is there a map I can refer to in order to pick up the correct frequency for VFR flight following while enroute? I know I can request a frequency from ATC as I depart, but what if I want to fly around ...
Stanley's user avatar
  • 1,030
11 votes
1 answer
4k views

Where can I rent a float plane?

Is it possible to rent a float plane with a private pilot's license? Flying floats is one of the main attractions for me to learn to fly. However, after some searching on the internet I can only ...
Pete's user avatar
  • 113
28 votes
2 answers
3k views

How do landing fees work at larger airports?

Many larger airports (class Bravos) have a landing fee. What's the process for assessing and collecting the fees? How do these landing fees work with general aviation aircraft? Where can I find out ...
Geoffrey Gallaway's user avatar
11 votes
3 answers
2k views

What options do pilots and mechanics have when an aircraft owner doesn't pay up?

If someone does a contract flight, or a mechanic does contract maintenance for an aircraft owner and they refuse to pay after the fact, what options do they have to "encourage" the owner to pay? ...
Lnafziger's user avatar
  • 58.7k
7 votes
2 answers
16k views

What does it cost to get an ATP certificate from scratch?

If someone decides to become a professional pilot - meaning an airline or business jet pilot in the USA - what does it cost to get the certifications and ratings and build enough hours to become ...
Farhan's user avatar
  • 29.4k
6 votes
3 answers
2k views

What is the minimum possible number of hours required to carry passengers?

Not factoring learning curve, personal safety minimums, and pilot proficiency, what is the absolute minimum flight time that must be logged in order to carry a passenger in a piston engine aircraft in ...
Magnetoz's user avatar
  • 3,845
4 votes
1 answer
371 views

Are there any pitfalls to be wary of when purchasing an "umbrella" insurance policy?

Typically, a pilot will have airplane insurance (or renter's insurance, if flying un-owned aircraft), car insurance, home insurance, life insurance and then for good measure purchase an "umbrella"-...
Canuk's user avatar
  • 8,392
8 votes
3 answers
2k views

Can resistive fuel senders/transducers be repaired/reconditioned?

I need to replace two fuel senders in each wing of a Socata TB20, and a replacement is almost $500. I wanted to know whether a shop exists in the US that reconditions these? After some research, I'm ...
Aviation Dude's user avatar
13 votes
1 answer
5k views

What regulations in the US exist for jetpacks?

In 2010 Fox News posted an article in which they quoted a representative of the FAA saying that the FAA might not regulate jetpacks (the representative did say that they could fall under Part 103). Do ...
called2voyage's user avatar
43 votes
6 answers
96k views

What does it take to maintain a private pilot certificate?

What, if any, requirements are there to maintain a private pilot certificate? For example: Do I have to renew my certificate after a period of time? E.g. annually, 5 years, 10 years Do I have to ...
tehDorf's user avatar
  • 533
11 votes
1 answer
4k views

Can I display the route which I have created with skyvector.com on google maps?

I really appreciate skyvector.com as a tool for initial route planning and providing me with a good lookout to the upcoming VFR flight, but honestly I'm not very satisfied with the FAA Sectional ...
Falk's user avatar
  • 3,376
57 votes
10 answers
50k views

Can you fly a light GA airplane into a major hub? What operational considerations are there if you do?

I did my training around the Seattle area, and was told that landing at SeaTac Airport (the region's major International/Commercial airport), while not strictly forbidden, was definitely frowned upon ...
abelenky's user avatar
  • 30.4k
17 votes
2 answers
43k views

How much should it cost to get IFR-rated? What to look for?

(Related to this question) Many pilots have told me that an IFR rating is the most valuable thing i can do to improve my flying and margin of safety. I know there are courses as quick as, "Get ...
abelenky's user avatar
  • 30.4k
6 votes
2 answers
362 views

What United States state and federal agencies generally participate in aerial weather modification?

Also wondering which agencies regulate weather modification activities? Any idea where I can find more information about this?
Katie 's user avatar
  • 69
33 votes
6 answers
34k views

How much, generally speaking, does it cost to learn how to fly?

One of my life goals is to learn how to fly a plane. I can't do it now due to time constraints, but I am curious: How much, in general terms, does it cost to learn how to fly? I.e. piloting lessons, ...
Jason's user avatar
  • 819
16 votes
3 answers
11k views

What is the security policy for getting into a Control Tower in the US?

Are there any regulations the FAA has ruled to get into a Control Tower? Do people need any special kind of security clearance? Are there forbidden items or other special rules? I'd also want to know ...
ppp's user avatar
  • 1,415
26 votes
1 answer
26k views

Is it legal to smoke in your own plane?

I was just curious, in the past, smoking on planes was permitted. What is the law surrounding smoking in your own private plane?
Danny Beckett's user avatar
34 votes
5 answers
33k views

What is Class F airspace, and why is it not used in the US?

I've read that ICAO defines Class F airspace but the FAA has chosen not to use the airspace class in the US. What is the ICAO definition of Class F airspace and how does it differ from other airspace ...
jrdioko's user avatar
  • 2,560
10 votes
1 answer
546 views

When sharing an airplane, what liability does the owner bear?

What liabilities apply to the owner of an aircraft who allows other pilots to use his aircraft for not-for-profit and non-commercial use? Example: An aircraft owner has a friend that wants to use ...
Andy Levesque's user avatar
16 votes
3 answers
10k views

What is the range and accuracy of ATC radar systems?

What is the average range, accuracy, and update frequency of radar systems used to monitor airspace in the USA? I'm primarily interested in capabilities for tracking smaller general aviation aircraft ...
kaliatech's user avatar
  • 365

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