65
votes
Accepted
Why does flying IFR require a rating?
The short and sweet answer to this question: That kind of thinking is what kills a lot of pilots.
A non-instrument rated pilot may know how to fly and navigate but does not yet have the skill to do ...
- 72.8k
34
votes
When flying VFR without GPS, how do pilots know if they are inside controlled airspace or not?
VFR aviation maps called "sectionals" (and now GPS map displays) depict the types of airspace through borders with different colors and dashed lines. You can buy or download the maps for free from ...
- 11.3k
33
votes
Accepted
Why fly VFR at all?
(This answer is based on light aircraft in the US.)
Leaving aside any scenarios where you must file IFR (class A, IMC) and any where you can't (pilot and/or aircraft not IFR-capable), it comes down ...
- 71.6k
31
votes
Why does flying IFR require a rating?
Because it is very difficult to navigate with instruments alone.
I just wished to illustrate to you by giving you an example. (These are flight simulation images, but should illustrate the idea well.)...
- 39.7k
29
votes
How can pilots lacking instruments interpret vectors given by ATC?
14 CFR Part 25 describes the requirements for an airliner like the 737 to be certified by the FAA.
§25.1303 Flight and navigation instruments.
(a) The following flight and navigation instruments ...
- 71.8k
27
votes
Why does flying IFR require a rating?
Once in the air, the pilot's most basic task in manipulating the controls is to keep the airplane right side up. As it turns out, this is much easier to do when we have reference to an outside real ...
- 39.2k
26
votes
How can pilots lacking instruments interpret vectors given by ATC?
As fooot has described, the aircraft has a mechanical compass, which will work even if the electrical systems fail.
Though unlikely, it is possible to imagine a situation where the crew of an aircraft ...
- 36.2k
25
votes
Accepted
Which source to use when reporting the current altitude to ATC?
When asked for altitude, you report the altimeter reading, utilizing the correct barometric pressure entered into the Kollsman window.
ATC separates traffic based upon indicated altitude. The ...
- 17.7k
23
votes
Accepted
May a non-instrument pilot legally file IFR as long as he amends and doesn’t accept an instrument clearance?
My instrument students, when they get more advanced, file FP with their name, and in remarks say "Training xxxxxx CFII"
That way it is clear. The FAA office investigated one student, dug up his ...
- 17.7k
23
votes
Accepted
How accurate must fuel gauges be for VFR flight?
The indicator must be calibrated to read zero when that tank is actually empty of all usable fuel (in level flight). Bouncing is fine as long as they do not bounce when the tank is actually empty.
...
- 6,018
23
votes
Why do helicopter operations avoid IFR?
Helicopters do not avoid IFR. They will, however, try to avoid IMC for safety reasons. The same is true for airplanes in the same weight class. Just because the pilot is IFR rated and the aircraft is ...
- 16.5k
23
votes
What is the best procedure for landing at my destination if I have a full electrical failure at night?
Here's an investigation report on this very sort of thing in Canada. Note that the standard procedure to alert ATC that you have a total electrical/comms failure is to fly a left hand triangle twice ...
- 126k
21
votes
Accepted
Why must IFR be cancelled?
It's all about making sure everybody knows what's going on. While you are on an instrument approach and thus flying IFR, ATC is responsible for spacing you, giving instructions on heading and speed in ...
- 22.7k
21
votes
Under VFR, can a pilot fly above a layer of clouds?
Yes, it's legal to operate under VFR without any visual reference to the surface. It's called operating VFR over-the-top, not to be confused with VFR-on-top which is an IFR clearance. Over-the-top is ...
- 71.6k
20
votes
When flying VFR without GPS, how do pilots know if they are inside controlled airspace or not?
Use of a sectional chart and pilotage.
You will have to be aware of where you are using ground references while cross referencing where the boundaries of controlled airspace lies in relation to those ...
- 72.8k
19
votes
Accepted
How can I learn about unpublished VFR reporting points?
Wait until the frequency isn't terribly busy on one of your flights, then just:
"Unfamiliar with Creek waypoint, Request clarification"
You can reasonably expect them to either explain the waypoint, ...
- 30.4k
19
votes
Why do helicopter operations avoid IFR?
Helicopter IFR operations do exist, but the short answer to the thrust of your question is: helicopter IFR is inherently more dangerous than fixed-wing IFR due to the lack of stability. A properly ...
- 14k
19
votes
How can I easily keep track of my landing count during pattern work?
The trick my CFI taught me is to use your Course Deviation Indicator or ADF to keep track of landings. After your first landing, bug a course of 010. After your second landing, bug 020. You can reach ...
- 541
19
votes
Is there a minimum density a cloud must attain before it is, legally speaking, a cloud?
To answer the question in the title,
A cloud is a visible aggregate of minute water droplets and/or ice particles
per FAA AC-006B, page 105. If you can see it, it's a cloud.
More practically (not a ...
- 10.6k
18
votes
How can a private pilot prepare for a long cross country flight in an unfamiliar area?
I'm in a similar boat to you and I just did my first XC from KDYL to KDDH a few months ago. Which was the first time I had been to an airport I did not go to during training. It was a lot of fun but ...
- 100k
18
votes
Which source to use when reporting the current altitude to ATC?
You should generally report what you see on your altimeter (at least that is what i was always instructed to do) but this presumes that you are up to date on your local pressure settings (which you ...
- 100k
18
votes
When flying VFR without GPS, how do pilots know if they are inside controlled airspace or not?
Generally: By Using a (Physical) Map
Aviation charts have landmarks and airspaces on them, which you can use to estimate where you're at. Other answers give great examples of this already, I don't ...
- 301
18
votes
Accepted
Are commercial VFR flights legal?
It depends on the operator's "opspecs" which are negotiated between them and the FAA. Generally in the US the vast majority of part 121 scheduled airline operations are required to be IFR, but plenty ...
- 4,640
17
votes
VFR aircraft on a practice instrument approach—is the aircraft IFR? Do they receive separation?
Is the aircraft now IFR?
No.
The only way ATC can initiate an IFR clearance is by saying the words "CLEARED TO [location]" (7110.65 4–2–1b). The location they say is the clearance limit. If ...
- 13.5k
16
votes
Accepted
What if traffic should give way to me but doesn't appear to be?
Whether you have the ROW or not, it is your responsibility to "see and avoid" even if the other pilot isn't. This is the aviation analog to defensive driving; call it "defensive flying".
There are no ...
- 22.7k
16
votes
How can a private pilot prepare for a long cross country flight in an unfamiliar area?
Here are some things to keep in mind, in no particular order. There is also a nice thread on reddit.
identify visual checkpoints every 10-20 NM, stay within 20-30 mins of an airfield (even if it ...
- 431
16
votes
How can a private pilot prepare for a long cross country flight in an unfamiliar area?
Retired airline pilot. We were based in the East and flew entirely in the East for years, then expanded and started doing some flying out West (SBA, SFO, Helena, MT, Seattle). We were required to take ...
- 161
16
votes
Which altitudes are safest for VFR?
The altitude you fly at should be determined by the following:
Where you are safest. Crossing 5500 foot mountains at 6500 simply is not a good safe practice. Your altitude should be higher at night,...
- 17.7k
16
votes
Accepted
How can I easily keep track of my landing count during pattern work?
The other answers have provided some easy ways to increment your count without too much distraction, but if you are really "prone to forget [...] when things get busy" as you say, this might ...
- 54.3k
15
votes
Accepted
How can I legally land VFR in class D airspace with low and few clouds?
What is the appropriate way to handle this situation as a pilot?
First, tell tower about the problem. They may be able to assign you a different runway, have you loiter (circle) for a minute or ...
- 6,979
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