Flight Regulations Archives

Understanding Holding Patterns: A Pilot’s Guide

Understanding how to safely and effectively navigate a holding pattern is essential, whether during instrument approaches, IFR en route delays, or during emergency procedures. Mastery of this topic is not only a critical skill assessed during the checkride for an instrument rating, but it’s also part of everyday flight operations governed by FAA regulations, outlined in the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) and Airman Certification Standards (ACS). What is a holding pattern? A holding pattern is a racetrack pattern that allows an aircraft to hold over a fix or waypoint. This is often due to ATC instructions, spacing restrictions, altitude restrictions, or a missed approach procedure. The aircraft flies an inbound leg to the fix and then turns to fly an … Read more

Windsocks in Aviation: Speed & Direction

The visual guide above shows how a windsock’s angle and extension help pilots estimate wind speed and direction during flight operations, enhancing safety on the runway. In this article, I’ll define them, explain their meaning, and explore their installation, calibration. They plan an essential role in preflight checks and runway wind condition assessments. What is a windsock? Every airport, whether a small rural airstrip like Massey Ranch Airpark or a busy international hub like Orlando International Airport, features one key visual tool for pilots: the windsock. These simple-looking devices play a critical role in flight safety by serving as aerodrome wind indicators. A windsock, also called a wind direction indicator, is a cone-shaped fabric tube mounted on a pole that … Read more

Understanding Ailerons: What are they and how do they work?

Ailerons are essential flight control surfaces mounted on the trailing edges of an airplane’s wings. Their primary function is to control the aircraft’s movement along the roll axis, which allows the aircraft to bank left or right. Whether flying a Cessna Skyhawk here at Epic or a Boeing 737 for the airlines, understanding how they work is fundamental to aircraft operation and maintenance. What do ailerons do? The function of ailerons is to manage roll control by creating differential lift on each wing. When the right aileron deflects downward and the left aileron upward, the airplane rolls to the left, and vice versa. This movement is coordinated through cables or other mechanical linkages in the flight control system. How do … Read more

Understanding Indicated Airspeed: A Pilot’s Guide

Learning to fly a plane, whether a light aircraft like a Cessna 172 here at Epic or a Boeing 747 jet, involves mastering many cockpit instruments. However, none is more essential than the Airspeed Indicator (ASI). Indicated Airspeed (IAS) is a fundamental concept in pilot training because it helps pilots measure and manage flight performance, lift-to-drag ratio, and safety-critical V-speeds. Here, I’ll get into IAS, explain how it works, define related airspeed types, and show you how to read and correct airspeed for better accuracy. Let’s get started! What is indicated airspeed (IAS)? A good definition for indicated airspeed is the speed shown directly on the aircraft’s ASI without correction for instrument errors, altitude, or air density. It reflects the … Read more

What is a Squawk Box in Aviation?

A “squawk box” is an essential piece of aviation communications. Its technical name is a transponder. It’s a radio frequency identification (RFID) device that sends a signal, or “squawk,” to air traffic control (ATC) radar systems. The squawk helps controllers identify each radar blip as a specific flight. It is a critical tool that communicates between an aircraft and ATC. The transponder helps identify the aircraft, transmits its altitude, and alerts ATC to emergencies. Both pilots and controllers must understand how a squawk box works and its unique role in maintaining safe flight operations. In this article, I’ll share the origin and functions of a squawk box, the meaning of squawk codes, and practical applications. I’ll also include related aviation … Read more

Understanding Airspace Classes: Lessons from Captain Judy Rice’s Flight Around the World with Buzz Aldrin

So, what exactly is airspace? Airspace is simply the space in the atmosphere controlled by a country above its land and its territorial waters. It comes with rules and regulations that vary with types of airspace and the country that controls it. Imagine flying around the world accompanied by Buzz Aldrin and a stellar crew on an educational mission to teach young people about aviation – including airspace! That’s what we did! Here, I’ll share experiences from our world flight and discuss issues that can arise regarding airspace. Imagine you’re flying a Citation jet with (L-R) Edwin Sahakian, John Friedman, Buzz-Aldrin and me as we fly through all types of airspace! Part 1: Security Clearances: You Have to Get Permission … Read more

VFR Pilot Rating vs IFR Pilot Rating: What is the difference?

The short answer is: VFR pilots can only fly in good visibility. IFR pilots can fly when visibility is poor. Definitions: What do the terms “VFR” and “IFR” mean? The acronyms VFR and IFR stand for different types of FAA pilot certifications. VFR stands for “Visual Flight Rules.” This means that a VFR-rated pilot must follow specific guidelines when flying using visual references. A pilot holding a Private Pilot License (PPL) must fly in VFR conditions. IFR stands for “Instrument Flight Rules” and allows a pilot who is Instrument Rated (IR) to operate an aircraft by relying almost solely on instruments. Once a pilot holds a PPL, the next step is to be Instrument Rated (IR). This allows the pilot to … Read more

Captain Judy’s Corner: One Flight Student’s Recipe for Success in Dealing with an FAA Medical Deferral

In this article, Captain Judy Rice spotlights Epic flight student Bryce Dawson‘s recipe for success in navigating challenges with his FAA medical deferral. Captain Judy interviewed Bryce for this inspirational article about one student’s journey to become a pilot. Combine the following ingredients and adjust for best results: Background December 23,1997, Paul Dawson, risk insurance agent, and Paula Dawson, public school teacher, welcomed their firstborn and named him Bryce. Brother Connor came along 23 months later. The Dawsons raised their children with their same high standards for work ethic, determination, and professionalism. The children knew only these standards. Bryce shared, “My parents were always patience and supportive. Looking back, I now realize that we matured at a younger age.” When the brothers were … Read more

Understanding Aviation Approaches: Expert Tips for Pilots

Captain Judy’s Corner: Technological Historical Approach Looking from the Citation jet cockpit, Charles de Gaulle international airport (CDG) was off our right wingtip. The city of Paris was off our left wing. Le Bourget airport (LFPB) was directly ahead. The stunning view took our breath away. We anticipated stepping back in time as we approached this famous airport. Le Bourget conjured up images of 1927 with a lanky, tousle-haired Charles Lindbergh climbing down from his gray monoplane having just completed his historic nonstop flight from New York City to Paris. We were about to make a technological historic approach. Coming into Paris: A Memorable Instrument Approach As we approached LFPB, we could have been on any instrument landing system (ILS) in the world … Read more

Aeronautical Decision-Making: Pilots Making Best Decisions

Early in 2020, our lives changed when the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Governors and state agencies issued emergency orders for the temporary closures of businesses and organizations in an effort to reduce the spread of this virus. All segments of the aviation industry have felt the impact. Transportation was listed as one of the l0 essential services permitted to continue operations, which included flight training. The principles of aeronautical decision-making can be applied to this and other situations. Epic Flight Academy took immediate and proactive action to ensure all operations continued without interruption. Epic leadership went beyond the recommended advice provided by the Centers for Disease Control. (Note: The photo above was taken prior to the virus outbreak, … Read more