Readback: October 2018

Many pilots want to fly IFR more often but dont quite remember how. If you addressed more of the basics and less of the quirky and obscure perhaps more pilots would actually benefit. One example would be to have a product published for particular regions or states of the country and present examples each month of airports and approaches for that particular area. This would give the local pilot community more opportunity to fly their local approaches and visit our local airports more often.

Editorial Staff

Sunday, September 16, 2018 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A subscriber advocated for regionalized magazine content and more basic instrument training, to which the publication responded that financial constraints prevent regionalization and suggested its sister publication for foundational content.
Regarding personal minimums, a reader asserted they should govern pre-flight decision-making and diversions, not justify intentionally missing an approach above published minimums, which may compromise safety.
Inquiring about laterally departing the final approach course early for circling, a pilot learned there's no specific regulation, but guidance encourages maintaining visual contact and using VFR traffic pattern altitudes when high ceilings allow for safer maneuvering.

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I Like It, But…

I have been a subscriber for several years and enjoy each issue. My flying is mostly VFR throughout Florida, and I teach at a local flight school. I’d like to suggest that you offer regionalized versions of your magazine instead of the general issue each month.

While your content is interesting to both general aviation and the professional, it would be beneficial to offer more information for the instrument student as well. I feel the publication would better serve the readers and GA pilots if you addressed the real everyday local geography issues affecting airports and approaches.