System

Before I was an air traffic controller, I dabbled with computer programming. Both fields involve complex problems that are often broken down to simple if/then statements: if condition A is true, you do X. If condition A is false, you do Y. Thousands of these tiny statements may be the bricks of a massive application […]

Of all the features of the modern Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS), perhaps the most useful is altitude preselect. It improves safety by reducing altitude busts and deviations. However, it can sometimes get you into trouble on the approach. Background Ever since Lawrence Sperry’s first autopilot in 1914, automatic flight control systems (AFCS) have continued […]

Special VFR (SVFR) is a clearance that pilots can use to fly VFR into an airspace reporting below VMC. SVFR allows pilots to operate in and out of Class B, C, D, or E airspaces below 10,000 feet when the reported weather is below normal VFR. It is a great tool when used correctly, and […]

The National Air Traffic Controller Association annually presents safety awards to members who have saved pilots’ lives through teamwork, skill, and persistence. Rather than talk about accidents, this article discusses some of the many saves that never make the headlines. The saves below are excerpts from the award citations. Winter’s Worst In January 2022, a […]

While most ATC facilities are open most of the day if not 24 hours, there are times when the physical building must be evacuated or “triggers” occur that require the termination of service. There can be many reasons for this, and the airspace might or might not close depending on facility. It might not be […]

Turning in the opposite direction of the regulatory traffic pattern during a circling approach is an almost constant topic of discussion in instrument pilot circles. In “Going Below Minimums” (May 2022 IFR), we wrote: “At a non‑towered airport the Instrument Flying Handbook in Figure 10‑13 seems to indicate that you can circle in any direction […]

Earlier this year, there were a number of near misses during airport operations. These included one aircraft nearly landing on top of another that was taking off while both were operating under an ATC clearance. Then an aircraft crossed an active runway without a proper clearance. The list goes on. As you might expect, I’m […]

Recently in my duties as an air traffic controller, I’ve noticed a trend: more than a few pilots struggle with non-towered airport procedures. Unfortunately, I’m not talking about a student pilot on his first-ever instrument flight. In that scenario, fumbles are expected.  Instead, I’m talking about pilots flying jets and turboprops who—I suspect—could be inexperienced […]

Altitude is aviation. From a simple paper airplane to the recently launched Artemis, anything that is above ground and moving has altitude and is essentially aviating. With altitude so important, how important is it for pilots to comply with altitudes, whether ATC assigned or from the regs or AIM? Yeah, It’s Critical Simple answer is […]

In “Which Three Approaches?” (September 2022 IFR) we discussed the FAA Chief Counsel’s abandonment of earlier restrictive interpretations of the dual cross-country prerequisite for the instrument rating. The flight, described in §61.65(d)(2)(ii) of the FAA regulations must include “three different kinds of approaches with the use of navigation systems.” The 2008 Glaser and the 2012 […]