Should I Own An Airplane? (A Comprehensive Guide To Buying Your Airplane)

BEECH KING AIR LANDING

I asked myself the same question every day when I first started flight instruction and I’m certain that I was not the first aspiring pilot to have asked, “Should I Own An Airplane?” There are many factors to consider, so perhaps we should explore some things that go along with aircraft ownership. Should I Own … Read more

Should A Pilot Know And Respect Their Limitations? (5 Down To Earth Thoughts)

It wasn’t long after I got my brand new fresh private pilot’s license that I discovered some things about myself and I asked, should a pilot know and respect their limitations? Should A Pilot Know And Respect Their Limitations? Yes, a pilot needs to know and respect their limitations. This must be addressed as soon … Read more

Why Do Pilots Practice Emergencies? (5 Peace Of Mind Ideas)

I learned early on in flight training about practicing emergencies just like all new students do, and I have wondered if others may ask, Why Do Pilots Practice Emergencies? Why Do Pilots Practice Emergencies? We practice emergency procedures in all sizes of aircraft from the Hang Glider to a Boeing or Airbus, to ensure that … Read more

What’s The Secret To A Stabilized Approach? (3 On Point Thoughts.)

Blue sky with Cumulus clouds withntext reading, What is the secret to flying a stabilized approach?
The search for becoming the best pilot is to excel toward perfection. Learning to fly stabilized approaches is essential to all pilots. What Is The Secret To Flying A Stabilized Approach?

What’s The Secret To A Stabilized Approach?

The secret to flying a stabilized approach is to control an airplane with precision so as to be on altitude, on speed, and on glide path at 3 degrees per thousand feet, “3:1”, descent to the threshold of the runway. Precision flying must be learned!

1. What Is A Stabilized Approach?

A stabilized approach is an approach that is flown on speed, on heading, and on altitude that ensures the greatest safety.

Whether flying a VFR, (Visual Flight Rules), or an IFR, (Instrument Flight Rules), approach. being stabilized is essential. Stable approaches are taught from the first flight.

The approach begins with planning exactly how the airplane must be flown.

2. Why Are Stabilized Approaches So Important?

Stabilized approaches are important to enhance safety in the traffic pattern.

They teach you to increase your situational awareness and pilot skills in many ways.

Learning to control power, airspeed, and altitude as necessary and learning to associate flight instruments compared to flight status while learning to monitor and adjust engine instruments are just a few key points.

These lessons will be practiced many times while getting your Private Pilot Certificate, and hopefully ingrained indelibly in your memory.

Since most accidents occur in the take-off and landing phases of flight the more diligent pilots are the safer the traffic areas become, especially in the airport traffic pattern. Reduction in accidents and incidents is a very good thing.

3. Planning.

Every aspect of flying requires excellent planning and flying an airplane requires being prepared for anything. Remember that you have a great responsibility so being prepared for even the worst scenarios is important.

Every part of your flight should be well planned so the outcome is favorable and flying a stabilized approach is absolutely necessary so do your planning well for your approach. You have a lot of time when flying cross-country to plan and prepare for your approach.

Your passengers will respect your expertise. Plan well.

Familiarize yourself with the FAR’S, (Federal Aviation Regulations), and the Airplane Flying Handbook Chapter 8 here. 

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Why Is It Scary To Take Your First Flight Lesson? (4 Items To Consider)

Pipestral Alp'ha Trainer The all electric tiny trainer some might think are scary.

I drove past Morrison Flying Service at the airport in Helena, Montana, many times before I found the courage to walk through the doors and ask to learn to fly. It seems it would not satisfy me without risking my success in this new experience. My thought was, Is It Scary To Take Your First … Read more

Are VFR Sectional Charts Important For Flight Planning? (4 Plausible Thoughts.)

Beerch 18 photo

We have all used VFR, (Visual Flight Rules), sectional charts for flight planning. These charts hold an immense amount of information and are really fun to lay out on a table or floor for your upcoming trip. Are VFR Sectional Charts Important For Flight Planning? Are VFR Sectional Charts Important For Flight Planning? VFR Sectional … Read more

How Does A Pilot Make Good Landings? (5 Smooth Feelings)

USFS Shafer Meadows airstrip. Great Bear Wilderness, Montana

When I was working as a Company Training Officer and Check Airman I found that many pilots had forgotten the importance of the rudder pedals. They are quite useful in making coordinated turns and crosswind landings. This brings to light the question: How Does A Pilot Make Good Landings? How Does A Pilot Make Good … Read more