Aircraft Operations

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:

  • 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:

  • 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

En-Route Operations:

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 & 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:
  • Operations under either VFR or IFR:

Terminal Area:

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:

  • 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:

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