Entries by Eric Radtke

Mastering Approach Lighting Systems: Key Insights for IFR Pilots

Approach lighting systems are critical during low ceiling and low visibility conditions when you must decide whether to continue to land or execute a missed approach. If when reaching the minimum descent altitude or decision altitude on the approach and you have the approach lights in sight, you are permitted to descend to 100 feet above the touchdown zone elevation published for the runway.

How to prepare for instrument checkride day

Communication is key to the examiner understanding your thought process and decision making. Checkrides have plenty of emotion and pressure that will hopefully allow you to excel. Don’t bring unnecessary pressure or emotion to the flight by overreaching or trying to do too much. Fly like you’ve trained and be the PIC.

Webinar Video: How to Ace Your FAA Instrument Written

The FAA Instrument Written is the source of plenty of angst and stress for IFR pilots. But not to worry as this webinar presentation we’ll show you how to use reliable study methods and advanced learning features within Sporty’s Instrument Rating Course, including Aviation Intelligence℠ (AI).

An actual instrument approach to minimums

During your instrument training, you routinely fly instrument approach procedures to “minimums” under simulated conditions. The more likely scenario when flying under instrument flight rules (IFR) is the option to complete the flight under visual flight rules (VFR), flying a visual approach procedure, or flying an instrument procedure in which you acquire the runway visually well above the charted “minimums.”