November-December 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Approaches

Throughout the 1960's to the 1990's, there were no GPS or RNAV approaches. You had two choices: Precision or non-precision. The only difference was that precison approaches gave you vertical guidance, or a glidepath. Precison choices were one: The ILS. A lot of smaller communities only had one ILS approach.

For non-precision approaches, there are four types: The most accurate was the Localizer; basically an ILS without the glideslope. Next was the Localizer back-course. Though you were flying towards the same runway from the opposite direction, like the localizer these two approaches always had you in pretty good alignment with the runway. 

Next was the VOR or VOR-DME approach. This was less precise. The signal isn't as sensitive, so being a little off a VOR course is like being a lot off a localizer course. The least favorite approach is the NDB approach. Basically a needle pointing to a tower and nothing else, you fly to it, then outbound on a particular course, more or less, for a certain amount of time and hope you see something. 

Oh, and there are two more I forgot to mention. The visual approach, the easiest one of them all. Finally, the circling approach. Circling approaches can be useful, if done correctly. Circling to the opposite runway at night in the snow isn't fun, but sometimes it's your only option. Just don't lose sight of the runway. Ever.  

 

 

 

 

 

Winter Weights

 Effective September 15, average passenger weight, including one carry-on, is 205 pounds.

Suggestion: For additional freight, add 10% to passenger total weight.

 

 

 

 

  News stories are kept in the Forums for future reference. Look in the Pilot Lounge section.

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