(Updated to reflect new EASA regulations in force from August 2022.) When a 2D instrument approach procedure (a procedure without glidepath guidance, previously known as a “non-precision” approach or NPA) is flown using the recommended Continuous Descent Final Approach (CDFA) technique a decision altitude/height (DA/H) is used. Just as with 3D approaches the pilot decides … Continue reading “Add-on to the DA of a CDFA?”
Author: Airborne Again
Uncontrolled IFR in Sweden
This is an article on uncontrolled IFR in Sweden that I wrote for the Instrument Pilot magazine. (Some details have been revised in November 2022.) Uncontrolled IFR – the very notion evokes emotions. Depending on what you are used to opinions differ. Some pilots feel it is foolhardy at best and while permitted by EASA … Continue reading “Uncontrolled IFR in Sweden”
Do-it-yourself instrument approaches
(Updated in November 2022 due to revisions of part-NCO effective October 30, 2022.) With GPS it is easy to add an instrument approach to virtually any runway. (At least as long as the obstacle situation is reasonable). Still, we have not – at least not in Sweden – seen any such approaches to airports that … Continue reading “Do-it-yourself instrument approaches”
What avionics are required?
When you visit pilot groups on the web, you find that there is frequently uncertainty about exactly what avionics you need to have in your aircraft to be legal – particularly when flying IFR. You would expect it to be straightforward to find out, but that’s not always the case. In this post I will … Continue reading “What avionics are required?”
A quick guide on how to find EASA regulations
The EASA (actually EU) regulations are binding law in all EU countries. They are also, by virtue of treaties, binding in some other countries, e.g. Norway and Switzerland. So they are actually important for our everyday flying. Most pilots get their knowledge of rules and regulations from ground school textbooks, but in my opinion every … Continue reading “A quick guide on how to find EASA regulations”
Rules and regulation links
Some links to web sites with rules and regulations that I’ve found useful. EASA regulations – This is EASA’s regulation portal. If you haven’t already, read my quick guide to EASA regulations. ICAO Annexes and Documents – This is perhaps esoterica, but if you really want to understand procedures and regulations you need to read annexes to the … Continue reading “Rules and regulation links”
Some useful links
This is a list of some web sites and pages that I’ve found useful and interesting. Social media and organisations EuroGA – A friendly pan-European discussion forum for general aviation pilots. You will find all kinds of people from student pilots, through highly experienced private pilots and even some professionals. The discussions usually have high … Continue reading “Some useful links”
Flight planning links
Some links to flight planning sites or products that I’ve found useful. Autorouter – The ultimate flight planning tool for IFR in Europe. Provides automatic route finding to handle the byzantine routing rules found in most of Europe. It will generate a complete briefing pack with ATS and operational flight plan, MET and AIS information, … Continue reading “Flight planning links”
National regulations vs. EASA regulations
Within the EU we have a combination of national legislation and EU legislation (regulations). Beginning with the first EASA Basic Regulation in 2009, the EU has introduced more and more regulations concerning aviation. A principle of the EU is that regulations completely replaces national legislation for the areas they cover. I.e. EU member states are … Continue reading “National regulations vs. EASA regulations”
Operational Flight Plan form
It’s a very individual thing how you want your operational flight plan (navigation log) forms to be laid out. This document is my personal design, inspired by the Jeppesen Navigation Log form. The form is in US half-letter format (the format used by Jeppesen) and the document has two copies of the form to be printed … Continue reading “Operational Flight Plan form”