Don’t Just Press Buttons: Modern Autopilot Habits That Matter

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Modern autopilots can dramatically reduce workload—but only if you understand what they're doing. Here are six habits that will help you get more from your autopilot while staying ahead of the airplane.

Keeping up: Managing Busy Airspace

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Busy airspace doesn’t have to be intimidating. Elaine Kaugh shares practical strategies for managing routing, workload, communications, and preparation when flying IFR into busy airports.

New IFR Mastery Scenario:The End Is Niagara?

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What would you do if an engine problem developed in actual IMC—but the nearest airport wasn't necessarily your safest option? That's the dilemma in this month's IFR Mastery scenario from PilotWorkshops, The End Is Niagara?, featuring instructor Martin Pauly.

Before the Frequency Gets Busy

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In Part 121 operations, complex environments are managed through standardization, preparation, defined procedures, and shared cockpit responsibilities. A single pilot does not have another crewmember available to catch an error or absorb part of the workload, but many of the same professional habits can be adapted to the Part 91 cockpit. The objective is to anticipate workload before it arrives.

Ask the IFR Expert: How Often Should I Hand Fly?

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There is no magic number of minutes or percentage of a flight that every instrument pilot should spend hand-flying. The right balance depends on the pilot, the airplane, the conditions, and the workload. But there is an important distinction between using automation and becoming dependent on it.

Quiz: Automation

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Modern avionics and autopilots have transformed IFR flying, reducing workload and improving situational awareness when used correctly. But automation is only as effective as the pilot managing it. Misunderstanding system capabilities, relying on automation at the wrong time, or failing to monitor what it's doing can quickly turn a helpful tool into a source of confusion.

New IFR Mastery Scenario: Which Approach Would You Request?

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Most instrument approaches are straightforward. You brief the…

Practical IFR: The Extra Step-down

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Think you know an approach after crossing the FAF? A hidden step-down fix can make that familiar descent more complicated—and a little more dangerous.

Video Tip: Flying to an MDA with the Autopilot

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In this video, Bruce Williams demonstrates one technique for flying the RNAV (GPS) Runway 27 approach into Port Angeles, Washington. Using a Garmin GFC 600 autopilot, he shows how to level off at the MDA while allowing the autopilot to maintain lateral guidance, reducing workload as the airplane continues toward the missed approach point.

What’s Wrong? Flying the RNAV 24 at Toledo in a Bonanza

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Welcome back to What’s Wrong?—our interactive aviation challenge where the clues are in plain sight, just like in real flying. This time, you’re about to cross FISUS for the Hold in Lieu of Procedure Turn on the RNAV (GPS) Runway 24 approach at Toledo. The GPS annunciates a teardrop entry for the hold, so that’s what you’ll do. Watch the video and try to see what’s wrong.
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