Aero-Tips!

A good pilot is always learning -- how many times have you heard this old standard throughout your flying career? There is no truer statement in all of flying (well, with the possible exception of "there are no old, bold pilots.") It's part of what makes aviation so exciting for all of us... just when you think you've seen it all, along comes a scenario you've never imagined.

Aero-News has called upon the expertise of Thomas P. Turner, master CFI and all-around-good-guy, to bring our readers -- and us -- daily tips to improve our skills as aviators, and as representatives of the flying community. Some of them, you may have heard before... but for each of us, there will also be something we might never have considered before, or something that didn't "stick" the way it should have the first time we memorized it for the practical test.

It is our unabashed goal that "Aero-Tips" will help our readers become better, safer pilots -- as well as introducing our ground-bound readers to the concepts and principles that keep those strange aluminum-and-composite contraptions in the air... and allow them to soar magnificently through it.

Look for our daily Aero-Tips segments, coming each day to you through the Aero-News Network. Suggestions for future Aero-Tips are always welcome, as are additions or discussion of each day's tips. Remember... when it comes to being better pilots, we're all in this together.

Aero-Tips 06.15.06

Radios dead, you flew the proper route and altitude to your clearance limit. When can you leave the clearance limit and proceed?  The Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) tells us:

• When the clearance limit is a fix from which an approach begins:
• • commence descent or descent and approach as close as possible to the Expect Further Clearance (EFC) time if one has been received; or
  • if an EFC has not been received, as close as possible to the Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) as calculated from the filed or amended (with ATC) Estimated Time En Route (ETE).
• If the clearance limit is not a fix from which an approach begins (note: with the proliferation of "direct to destination" clearances in many locations this may well be the situation if you lose comm.):
• • leave the clearance limit at the EFC time if one has been received: or
  • if no EFC has been received, upon arrival over the clearance limit and
  • • proceed to a fix from which an approach begins and
    • commence descent or descent and approach as close as possible to the ETA as calculated from the filed or amended (with ATC) ETE.

In this latter case, pick the most logical approach given your best judgment of the approach in use or the approach that makes most sense to you.  Controllers will earn their pay clearing your path of other traffic.

Aero-tip of the day:  If "lost comm" in IMC fly the approach that provides the best chance of success, at a time when ATC knows to get others out of your way.

FMI: Aero-Tips