Aircraft Operations

Aircraft operations guide the flow of traffic throughout the National Airspace System by the use of common procedures
Increased traffic congestion, aircraft in climb and descent attitudes, and pilot preoccupation with cockpit duties are some factors that increase the hazardous accident potential near the airport
The situation is further compounded when the weather is marginal, that is, just meeting VFR requirements
Pilots must be particularly alert when operating in the vicinity of an airport
This section defines some rules, practices, and procedures that pilots should be familiar with and adhere to for safe airport operations
Operations include:

Increased traffic congestion, aircraft in climb and descent attitudes, and pilot preoccupation with cockpit duties are some factors that increase the hazardous accident potential near the airport. The situation is further compounded when the weather is marginal, that is, just meeting VFR requirements. Pilots must be particularly alert when operating in the vicinity of an airport. This section defines some rules, practices, and procedures that pilots should be familiar with and adhere to for safe airport operations

Departure procedures facilitate the flow of traffic out of the terminal area
They may be simple such as departing in a direction on course to complex instrument procedures through the busiest airspace in the country
- Departure Procedures
- VFR Climb on Course

Transitioning from the enroute to the terminal environment often requires the use of standardized procedures to guide the flow of traffic
The FAA/DoD accomplish this task through Standard Terminal Arrivals (STARs)

Following the enroute phase of flight, a pilot executes the approach and landing phase
The term "approach" has become a general term and may refer to operations under Instrument Flight Rules or to describe the terminal phase of flight to landing when flying Visual Flight Rules (VFR)
Therefore different types of operation will have different types of approaches and terminology
Operations under VFR:
- Overhead Approach Maneuver
Operations under IFR:
Operations under either VFR or IFR:

The Pilot/Controller Glossary defines the terminal area as a general term used to describe airspace in which approach control service or airport traffic control service is provided
The terminal area centers around either a single or series of airports

In general, night operations are procedurally the same as day operations but their conduct is not
Even for the most experienced pilot, night operations must be treated with vigilence
- Night Operations

Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are fundamentally changing the way we view aviation
Classified into 5 categories or "groups," UAS range from small hand launched aircraft, similar to model aircraft, to larger aircraft
As the Federal Aviation Administration works to integrate these systems into the national airspace system pilots owe it to themselves to learn how UAS will impact their operation

Introduction: