Approach Archives

How do I pick up my IFR clearance at a non-towered airport?

Beth Rehm2022-12-27T19:38:40-06:00December 27th, 2022|

At some airports you may be able to reach ATC on the ground using the radio frequency listed for clearance delivery or approach control. Another option is to call clearance delivery directly on your phone. You can find the phone number for the overlying Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) listed in the Chart Supplement under in the communications section under “Clearance Delivery Phone.” You can also pick up an IFR clearance after you are airborne, providing you remain VFR until you get your clearance.

Can you fly a straight-in approach at a non-towered airport?

Beth Rehm2022-06-27T08:28:56-05:00June 27th, 2022|

There are in fact no regulations prohibiting straight-in approaches at non-towered airports because the FAA does not regulate pattern entry procedures. However, just like any other approach to an airport environment, pilots executing a straight-in approach should not disrupt the flow of other traffic arriving at and departing from the airport.

What does the term ʺstabilized approachʺ mean?

developer2021-07-06T14:24:25-05:00February 4th, 2021|

The term ʺstabilized approachʺ often appears as something of a buzzword in articles and incident reports, as in, ʺThe pilot failed to establish a stabilized approach.ʺ I get the general idea, but when is an approach actually considered ʺstabilized?ʺ The concept of a stabilized approach was first introduced by the airlines in the 1950s and [...]