https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips Collection of tips and suggestions about pilot training and best performance practices. Post a tip underneath the applicable category. en-us 2022-08-04 17:54:14 UTC 2022-08-22 06:28:36 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-uploads.storage.googleapis.com/1620523940/ad77d6a607a47daccdcabb524f4dc971/logo.png vatusa3 https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2254997242 Use this website to look up an airport's D-ATIS.

https://datis.clowd.io/]]> 2022-08-04 18:03:34 UTC https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2254997242 vatusa3 https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2254997908 AWC - Aviation Weather Services website.

https://aviationweather.gov/]]> 2022-08-04 18:04:52 UTC https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2254997908 vatusa3 https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2254999312 Useful tool for planning.

https://www.lakehorn.com/products/aviation/aeroweather-pro/]]> 2022-08-04 18:07:53 UTC https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2254999312 vatusa3 https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255000071 When checking in with a new radar controller (let’s say from Center to Approach, or Departure to Center), please say the altitude you’re at and/or going to (e.g., “FL230 descending to FL190” or “12,500 climbing via SID”). This is necessary for Mode C verification and should not be forgotten in lieu of the ever popular “with you.”

Also, when you check in with approach from center, please acknowledge the fact that you’ve either received the ATIS or have the numbers (if an ATIS is not available) when you check on. An example call would be “NY Approach, JetBlue 123, FL210 descending FL190 with information Oscar.”]]> 2022-08-04 18:09:28 UTC https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255000071 vatusa3 https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255000223 https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8A85FECAA3E92D43]]> 2022-08-04 18:09:49 UTC https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255000223 vatusa3 https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255000757 Have you heard of the expression "Aeronautical Decision Making" or ADM for short?

Naturally, in the simulated environment, I suppose that not having good ADM isn't as much of a big of a deal as in reality when your life is literally on the line. That said, there are often encounters and situations even in the simulated universe where your ability to make the right decision may influence not only the efficiency and success of your flight, but contribute to the overall enjoyment and realism of the circumstance for all involved parties (e.g., other pilots and air traffic control).

Here's a playlist made possible by the Air
Safety Institute all about ADM:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmZXwtLoBH8zh4PPyz4PHFjO0GPPMzeig]]> 2022-08-04 18:10:56 UTC https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255000757 vatusa3 https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255000960 https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmZXwtLoBH8wrSgJLc5gQ6psrW2JPr_wf]]> 2022-08-04 18:11:20 UTC https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255000960 vatusa3 https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255002941 http://airnav.com/]]> 2022-08-04 18:13:26 UTC https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255002941 vatusa3 https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255003179 https://skyvector.com/]]> 2022-08-04 18:13:55 UTC https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255003179 vatusa3 https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255003436 https://www.fly.faa.gov/rmt/nfdc_preferred_routes_database.jsp]]> 2022-08-04 18:14:26 UTC https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255003436 https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255005879 https://chartfox.org
(Requires VATSIM Account)]]> 2022-08-04 18:19:14 UTC https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255005879 stw222 https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255009362 Pilot: "Cincinnati Approach, N12345 35 miles to the south-west at Three-Thousand Five-Hundred. Request full stop at Cincinnati"
Controller: N12345, Cincinnati Approach. Cleared to enter the Cincinnati Class Bravo airspace at or below Five Thousand feet on a heading of 030. Squawk 0345.

*Remember to stay outside of the class Bravo airspace until you hear "Cleared into the class Bravo airspace"*
Also make sure that your Mode C transponder is turned on]]> 2022-08-04 18:27:23 UTC https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255009362 https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255010299 Normally you can see planes with your avionics…

But for let’s say a plane with no GPS,listen to Radios and look around..don’t ruin the experience for others 

MF]]> 2022-08-04 18:29:25 UTC https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255010299 https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255010858 2022-08-04 18:30:24 UTC https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255010858 vatusa3 https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255013038 Excellent article from the FAA about "Aviate, Navigate, Communicate" and about being prepared for the flight so as to stay ahead of the airplane.

https://www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/2018/media/SE_Topic_18-07.pdf]]> 2022-08-04 18:35:09 UTC https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255013038 https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255015859 When given a pilot's discretion descent (e.g. "descend via" or "cross FIX at ALT"), report to ATC when you actually begin your descent.]]> 2022-08-04 18:42:08 UTC https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255015859 vatusa3 https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255018881 Online resources for instrument pilots.

https://www.faasafety.gov/gslac/onlineresources.aspx?categoryId=30&masterId=1]]> 2022-08-04 18:49:10 UTC https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255018881 vatusa3 https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255019883 Online resources for private pilots (VFR).

https://www.faasafety.gov/gslac/onlineresources.aspx?categoryId=26&masterId=1]]> 2022-08-04 18:51:46 UTC https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255019883 vatusa3 https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255021013 https://www.secureav.com/AMCC-Listings-Page.html]]> 2022-08-04 18:54:40 UTC https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255021013 vatusa3 https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255021455 Online resources for pilots of all types.

https://www.faasafety.gov/gslac/onlineresources.aspx?masterId=1]]> 2022-08-04 18:55:44 UTC https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255021455 vatusa3 https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255026881 VATUSA Forums post with resources talking about flight following.

https://forums.vatusa.net/index.php?topic=10207.0]]> 2022-08-04 19:09:56 UTC https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255026881 https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255032071 When departing a field or landing at a field it's crucial to know what you need to say in order to have the most efficient comms exchange. The most important memory item you can have is the triple W. Who are you? Where are you? What are you doing/want to do? In addition, remember to include the current ATIS code that you read/listened to or that you have the weather. It lets the controllers know that you have weather and any information that is required at the field such as expected runway information.

Ex.
"SKYHAWK 420BX, South GA, VFR to the North, with ALPHA"
"AMERICAN 1280, Terminal short of N, Taxi to the Active, with KILO"
"SIOUX 22, 10 miles to the north, Inbound fullstop, with NOVEMBER"

VFR departure: State the direction of flight or declaration to stay in the pattern. If you want to request flight following, you need to state direction of flight or destination, altitude, and that you want flight fallowing. (Remember that most Class Ds won't offer you flight fallowing on the ground and you may need to call in the air). ATC CAN NOT SEE YOUR VFR FLIGHT PLAN!

Ex.
"N518PS, at Jet Center, VFR Flight Fallowing to Gilbert at 7,500 with ATIS WISKEY"
"N908JK, at Signature, VFR Flight Fallowing to the South at 2,500 with ATIS LIMA"

Flight Fallowing in the air is similar to on the ground. I recommend using the fallowing phraseology to see if Approach or Center can handle you first. [Callsign], VFR Request]. If the controller does not get back to you don't keep calling... They are ignoring you because they can't handle you. It is the unfortunate reality that VFR flight following is a luxury not a necessity. If you do call up in the air, be ready to answer any and all information that the controller asks for. Since they don't have a flight plan for you, they need to enter all your data in the system in order for them to provide radar services.

IFR departure: State your destination and that you are ready to copy your IFR flight plan. Oh, and the ATIS of course. It's as simple as that, no need for anything fancy since the controller will have all your information on your flight plan. Once you get your clearance, call up with your position and intentions like usual on the appropriate ground control frequency.

Ex.
"DRAGON01, Ready to copy IFR to Denver, ATIS A"
"DELTA 1320, concourse C, ready to taxi"


]]> 2022-08-04 19:22:17 UTC https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255032071 https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255037534 You do not need to wait for a communications change to go from Delivery to Ground and Ground to Tower. Think about going to a restaurant. You ask the Hostess for a Table, the Waitress for your Food, and the bartender for your Drink. Unlike in the radar environment where you are being directed, each local controller has different things you ask for permission to do. So, unless the local controller tell you otherwise, you are free to change to the next to ask for what you want.

If you need to ask who to contact next, check out the airport charts or ask a controller and they will let you know. Sometimes it will even be on a sign in your airport scenery so keep your eyes peeled.

The only exception is going from tower to ground. After you land, the tower controller will let you know when it is safe for you to change. Only caveat is to make sure you are clear of the runway before switching.

]]> 2022-08-04 19:37:40 UTC https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255037534 https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255176799 2022-08-05 01:32:30 UTC https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255176799 https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255178113 2022-08-05 01:34:43 UTC https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255178113 https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255181281 2022-08-05 01:39:33 UTC https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255181281 https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255690224 https://flightaware.com/statistics/ifr-route/]]> 2022-08-05 22:53:57 UTC https://padlet.com/vatusa3/pilottips/wish/2255690224