Category Archives: ATC

How Accurate is ADS-B?

Turns out to be pretty darn accurate. Here’s an interesting video from Air & Space Magazine. Here’s the original link.

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Controller furloughs begin next week

Plan your flights accordingly. From Politico: “At a hastily called Thursday briefing, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and FAA Administrator Michael Huerta told reporters that the public should prepare for delays that ripple across the aviation system. Air traffic controller furloughs … Continue reading

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ADS-B is Hackable?

ADS-B is mandated for all aircraft starting in 2020. But here’s a troubling little tidbit from a ComputerWorld security blog that should keep people on their toes: “Here’s a few important facts: Automated Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) has no security as … Continue reading

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FAA Course – Tower Closings

If you are a certified pilot, you should know what to do if you come across a closed tower. But here is a helpful seminar from the FAAST team for those that are looking to get up to speed if … Continue reading

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Hat’s off to STL TRACON

From today’s Post-Dispatch: “Some quick thinking by air traffic controllers Kevin Cook and Steve Clark helped a Navy fighter pilot land his F-18 jet at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport last year with just five minutes of fuel left. Failure might … Continue reading

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Introduction to ADS-B

Air Facts brings us a comprehensive introduction to ADS-B: “In an industry famous for its ridiculous acronyms, ADS-B stands out for being uniquely confusing. Everybody uses the term, but few really know what it means. And who can blame them–it’s … Continue reading

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Test your IFR IQ

Time to sharpen those IFR skills. “Darkness has fallen as the light twin with a 64-knot VSO prepares for an approach at northern Massachusetts’ Fitchburg Municipal Airport, which sits beneath a 1,500-foot overcast with two miles visibility. The plan for … Continue reading

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New Rules for Class D Operations

From AOPA: “To cross, or not to cross? That was a question to ponder. Such is no longer the case: The FAA changed its policy and halted abbreviated taxi clearances long since, in keeping with NTSB recommendations. The recent change … Continue reading

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UAVs in the Airspace

AVweb points us to where UAVs are being operated in the United States. Just follow this convenient link to a google map here. “The FAA has responded to a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit by releasing two lists it says … Continue reading

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VFR Flight Plan vs. Flight Following

AOPA has a good explanation of the difference of filing a VFR flight plan and working with air traffic control to get VFR flight following. VFR flight plans serve a different purpose than IFR flight plans, and understanding the difference … Continue reading

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