Aircraft Operations

Aircraft operations guide the flow of traffic throughout the National Airspace System by the use of standard procedures.


Introduction

Introduction
  • Aircraft operations guide the flow of traffic throughout the National Airspace System by the use of standard 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
  • Aircraft operations begin with a departures from the terminal environment and transition into the Enroute environment
  • Operations include:

Airport Operations

Airport Operations
  • 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

Departures

Departures
  • 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

Enroute Operations

Enroute Operations

Arrival Procedures

Arrival Procedures
  • 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)
  • ILS or LOC 22L

Approach and Landing

Approach and Landing
  • Following the enroute phase of flight, a pilot enters a terminal area for an approach and landing
  • 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:
  • Operations under IFR:
    • Instrument Approach Procedures (IAPs) are depicted in the instrument approach plate
    • The instrument approach plate consists of five principle sections:
      • The Pilot Briefing and Procedure Notes;
      • The Plan View;
      • The Profile View;
      • Approach Minimums, and;
      • The Airport Diagram
    • The pilot briefing and procedure notes describe the approach and relate directly to the conduct of an Approach brief
    • The plan view depicts a birds eye view of the procedure which can be a Charted Visual Flight Procedure, an Instrument Landing System approach, or an RNAV approach procedure
    • The profile view depicts the same procedure as viewed from the side (profile)
    • Different approaches are published to meet the needs of equipment and locality requirements, including:
    • The approach terminates in the published Approach and Landing Minimums in the approach minimums section
    • If for whatever reason, the approach cannot be completed, pilots have the ability to conduct the missed approach
    • Finally, an airport diagram thumbnail provides an overall view of the terminal area
    • Non charted approaches include:
    • When selecting instrument approaches, several conditions may factor into the decision, including:
      • Expected weather conditions
      • Equipment on board
      • Types of approaches available to landing runway
      • Runway approach lighting available to identify runway environment
  • Operations under either VFR or IFR:

Terminal Area

Terminal Area

Night Operations

Night Operations
  • Night operations require increase vigilance, even for the most experienced pilot
  • Although operations are generally the same, everything becomes a little more challenging and therefore risky at night
    • Given the increase in risk, some regulations are buffered to increase the margin of safety

Gliding/Soaring

Gliding/Soaring
  • Glider Flying Handbook
    Amazon, Glider Flying Handbook
  • Gliding or soaring involves using atmospherics to remain airborne
  • Typically cheaper than powered aviation, gliders provide a low barrier to entry, and don't require a medical for those who may be unable to obtain one
  • Since gliders may fly an unpredictable flight path, varying altitude and speed, VFR pilots not in contact with ATC should squawk 1202
  • Thermal Soaring

Conclusion

Conclusion
  • Additional resources are available through tools such as the FAA's Runway Safety Simulator
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References

References