You might not have heard, but on June 30, 2010, air traffic controllers (ATC), specifically ground controllers and tower controllers, are now required to issue specific runway crossing instructions for each runway to be crossed.

In the past, ground controllers would say, “Taxi to runway 35R via (taxiway) Golf and Echo.” In the past, this meant that you could cross ALL intersecting runways on your way to the departure runway unless stated otherwise.

The new phraseology though now starts with the runway you are going to taxi to and then the specific route they want you take will be stated along with any runway crossings or hold short instructions.

Here is an example, “SkyWest 1234, Runway 35R, taxi via Golf and Echo, cross Runway 12, hold short Runway 35L.”

Do you see the difference? The runway you are ultimately going to taxi to is the first thing stated after your callsign.

Furthermore, let’s say you will have to cross multiple runway intersections, the ground controller will stagger the crossing clearances so that you you can more clearly understand the clearance. Using our example above, the ground controller would not have you cross Runway 12 and Runway 35L, in the same clearance. As always, there is an exception. If say there are two parallel runways, and their centerlines are less than 1,000 feet apart, the controllers may clear you to cross both runways in the same clearance. Don’t forget to read back the hold short instructions!

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Click Here for Immediate Discount

PilotWorkshop is offering their “IFR Proficiency Series” for $100 off their original price until June 21st, 2010.  

After that they are stopping the discount and going back to the normal price. 

Now, whether you are a Private Pilot, Instrument Pilot or ATP, and you like to learn, you will want to at least check out their website. This information is compiled by some of the best flight instructors and pilots in the industry right now. 

Their insights and “secrets” are things that you just can’t get from from anywhere else. 

And like I said, right now, it is $100 off and well that is one flight lesson right there. Think of the things you can learn. 

IFR Proficiency Series for $100 less 

Check out their website. Once you get there you can read about all the great stuff they will send you for this insanely discounted product on instrument (IFR) flying. 

If you don’t do it, you’ll kick yourself. Why? Because some of the greatest names in flight instructing and aviation have contributed to the development of this material. You can’t find this anywhere else! 

So before you do ANYTHING else, click on the link below and just check it out.  

Get the “IFR Proficiency Series” here  

Remember, the price goes back up June 21st, 2010. You won’t be able to get it again for at least another six months if you miss it now. 

Oh, and one more thing… 

You might be asking yourself, “Do I really need this? After all, I’m just a Private Pilot [Instrument Pilot, ATP, astronaut, etc.]”  

Well let me put it this way…flying is all about learning. The more you learn, the safer you are. If you really love flying, and you are a Private Pilot, trust me, you will definitely benefit from this information. If you want to one day get your instrument rating, this will give you a great head start! 

If you ARE an instrument rated pilot or ATP, you will benefit also. Personally, I never stop reading and learning and I have thousands of hours and trust me, this is good stuff! 

To Your Flying Success, 

Jeffrey

When a pilot is flying on instrument flight rules (IFR), a successfully executed ILS approach is what most pilots aspire to. I mean how awesome is it to be in the clouds, being bumped around, having to work the radios, all the while organizing and planning for an ILS approach to minimums, when all of a sudden you reach your decision height (DH) and there is the approach lights and the runway.

OK, you can breath now…

Do you remember when it was all so confusing and you thought that you would never learn how to do one?

I still sit up and get excited when I’m in the weather doing the ILS approach. It is serious business.

That is why I thought I’d to talk briefly about three instrument related things today:

1. Planning and the “Next Two Things”
2. Glass cockpits and the “What-If” Game
3. The GPS and a Backup Plan

Planning and the “Next Two Things”

We have all heard that flying is all about the “next two things.”

You should always be planning for what comes next and then what comes after that. If you are just sitting there with nothing to do, you are already falling behind and soon you may find yourself literally hanging off the tail as the airplane goes where IT wants to go.

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How is your health?

Mine is pretty good. I’m lucky.

Except for a bought with basal cell carcinoma (skin cancer) on my ear, I am hardly ever sick. And this is after flying around the country for hours on end in a silver tube with between 50 and 70 people from all walks of life carrying germs. I do this sometimes four times a day. Then after the flight, we, the crew, have to go through the cabin picking up snotty rags, leftover cups, crossing seatbelts, digging into seatback pockets and pulling out mysterious items. Yuck!…you say? Yeah, it can be nasty.

If you are a germ-a-phobe and are afraid of getting sick, this is not a job for you. It can be a bit disgusting. But for me, I don’t think twice about it.

And there are several reasons why…

First, my body is acclimated to it.

I’ve been flying these airplanes around for seven years plus I have a pre-school daughter. I’ve had my colds and sickness. I also have 30 million years of evolution behind me that say that most the time, I’m going to be able to fight off any germs that invade my body. If I get sick now, it’s most likely because I haven’t been taking care of myself or haven’t been washing my hands enough.

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I don’t know about you but I NEVER have enough time!

If I’m not flying, I’m doing military work. If I’m not doing that, then I’m usually fixing something around the house. And the list goes on…

It is a vicious cycle.

So I can’t even imagine what I would have to do if I had to prepare for another airline interview. I would have to brush up on my Airman Information Manual (AIM) knowledge. I would have to review my Part 61 and Part 91 Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR). I would really have to review all the information on being an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP).

And finally, I would definitely review my CRJ200 systems to make sure that I have it down solid.

Granted I have a good working knowledge of this information since I live and breath it practically every day. But interviews are something different and the obscure fun-facts-of-know-and-tell get pushed back deep into your memory until you need them.

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