LNAV/VNAV minimums are a bit of a mystery to most U.S. pilots. That's probably because they're rarely encountered, except at the relatively few airports with RNAV (GPS) approaches that have LNAV/VNAV ...

Earning an instrument and a type rating today still demands the applicant successfully fly a circling approach. Despite the FAA’s recent Advisory Circular (AC) 120-123 calling for an increased focus ...

Visual approaches are the most common way to end an IFR flight for personal aviation, requiring VFR conditions (1000 ft ceiling, 3 SM visibility), but maintaining IFR clearance with the pilot assuming ...

According to recent FAA statistics, there are approximately 1292 “plain vanilla” ILS approaches that are designed to Cat I minimums—usually a DH of 200 feet AGL and visibility of ½ SM. This excludes ...

"Taking a look" at an instrument approach in marginal or below-minimums weather is a dangerous practice for Part 91 pilots, despite regulatory flexibility, and frequently leads to fatal accidents due ...

Many approach limitations, such as the absence of straight-in minimums or night restrictions, are due to underlying factors like basic runway markings or obstacle penetrations in the visual area, ...

Example circling maneuver at Boire Field, New Hampshire. Author graphic In Part 1, we discussed the classic simulator circling check and the “Part 142” excuse. You might think the odds are stacked ...