Monday, August 11, 2025

Kites

Kite - Sky is the Limit



Types of Kites: 

various shapes and sizes -  Bird kite,  box kite, standard kite 

Labor of love 

1. - Wooden Frame - light weight

     - Cut to length 
     - Lumber yard  - Home Depot / Lowes   (2 x 4 x 8) 
     - 2'length x 3/4"wide  x 1/4" thick 


Materials

4 x 2'x1'x1/4 frame
15" of bamboo for the Nose Bridge
- String to go around the parameter of the kite
- a 1 1/2" of Nail to whole the assembly together 

Framing The Kite 

2 pieces - Pivoted at the center to form a X 
3rd piece - to form an crossbeam
more complex kite  - 4th piece - to form a nose!

4. Apply the kite paper (with Glue) to the frame

5. Add the Flaps, and Frills 

6 - Add Loops and Tail 

Assess the wind
Start by noting the direction of the wind – feel it on your face, notice the sway of the trees, or wet your finger. 
Remember, our Kite Kits are designed for light wind, so don’t try on a very windy day – about 5-15 mph or 8-24kph is great.

Keep in mind that the lighter the material you use is, the better the kite will fly. add unnecessary weight and the kite will not be aerodynamic.

Construction paper, string, pipe cleaners/sticks, scissors, colored pencils/markers (optional), tape (optional), and a ruler.

https://www.kitesintheclassroom.com/kite-kits/ 

String 

  •  For framing the kite
  •  Crate Loops Head loops and tail loops
  •  Fly the Kite
Kite paper
  • Frills, Flaps, tongue

































Saturday, January 11, 2025

Navigating Instrument Checkride Challenges

 CHECKRIDGE


SID  standard instrument departure


senaro 

Delay - 15 aircraft in line for departure (2 mins per aircraft if traffic is flowing normally) - Calculate Fuel Burn
Head wind  - Fuel Consumption
Weather  Landing Minimum on Approach 
Cealing is not require for landing  but required for planning
Landing Visibility is required! (if you have 1/2 mile visability 

If you shoot a miss approach ATC will ask you what is your intention? - go to an alternate airport or come back again to shoot the approach (make sure you have adequate fuel to get to the Alternate airport)

Decision Altitude?  What is the decision are you making? What is a decision altitude? 

  • You are going Miss approach or Land, 
  • Are you going to continue to land, 
  • you may not see the runway - Go Miss Approach,  
  • You may not see the runway but see the runway environment such as approach lights, you can only go down 100 feet below the touch down zone elevation












Phases of an IFR flight

The phases of an IFR flight are: 

Pre-Flight Planning - review of weather conditions, NOTAMS, a pre-flight aircraft check, and filing an IFR flight plan.

Clearance Delivery - Prior to departing the airport, the pilot will request clearance from the local Air Traffic Controller. Clearance delivery is usually communicated via aircraft comms, but it can be requested via phone..

Taxi and Takeoff - Instrument, communication, and run-up checks are performed during this phase. The pilot will follow the airport's departure procedure unless instructed otherwise.

En Route - Pilots are required to follow their flight plan while maintaining communication with ATC. Navigation is via the aircraft's flight instruments and navigation systems and ATC provides route guidance, traffic advisories, and altitude clearances.

Approach - This phase of flight is defined as the pilot selecting a type of instrument approach procedure and navigating to the airport via instruments and published altitude restrictions.

Landing - When the runway environment is in sight the pilot will transition from instrument flying to visual flying.

Post-Flight - Other than a typical flight, an IFR flight usually involves closing a flight plan to acknowledge your destination is made. This can be accomplished once the airport is in sight and is requested by the pilot with ATC.

File an IFR Plan
ATIS
Ground Control/Ground Clearance
Tower
Clear for Takeoff
Departure
Enroute
Clear for the Approach
Tower
Miss Approach
Holding Pattern

I hate that CRAFT mnemonic.
Paper on a clipboard.
This is what I do
Nxxxx
Cleared
Via
Maintain
Expect
Departure Frequency
Squawk.



Chads:
Clearance
heading
alt
departure freq
Squawk


Flying IFR 
File a Flight IFR Plan
CRAFT   Clearance - Route - Altitude- Frequency - Transponder
Clearance -  
C - Clearance  
R - Route (departure Transition, then as filed)  
A - Altitude  - Maintain _______ expect ________...


Holding Pattern 
(Direct, Parallel, Tear Drop) 
5' T,  Time, Turn, Twist, Throttle, Talk 

Clear for the Approach
Bug - Final Approach course on HSI
Descend Checklist (Weather, NOTAMS, 
Approach 
Tower 
Ground

Friday, January 10, 2025

FLying IFR

 

Phases of IFR Flight

File IFR flight plan.
ATIS
GROUND

IFR Clearance  

N123AB cleared to Boston Logan via the VICTOR 20 departure, runway 27R, climb and maintain 3000 feet, expect flight level 80, departure frequency 126.2, squawk 1234

C - Clearance 

R - Route (departure Transition, then as filed) 

A - Altitude  - Maintain _______ expect ____________  (5 or 10 depending on departure)

F - Departure Frequency _______

T - Transponder SQUAWK _________


C - Clearance Boston Logan

R - Route (departure Transition, then as filed) Victor 20 departure, Runway 27R,

A - Altitude  - Maintain 3000 feet  expect Flight level 80 (5 or 10 depending on departure)

F - Departure Frequency 126.2

T - Transponder SQUAWK 1234


TRANSITION FROM GROUND TO  TOWER 


Hanscom tower Cessna 123 hold short on Runway 123 -ready for departure

Cessna 123 clear for take off 


TRANSITION FROM  TOWER TO DEPARTURE 


Key points to remember:

ATC will provide the departure control frequency:

Before takeoff, ATC will inform you of the departure control frequency and transponder code you should use. 

Wait for clearance:

Do not switch to the departure frequency until instructed by ATC, even if you are airborne. 

Follow departure procedures:

Your departure procedure might specify a specific altitude or point where you should contact departure control.


Cessna 34Y, Turn left heading 360

- Left 360 , 34Y

 

Cessna 34Y,, Turn left heading 090

- Left 090 , 34Y


TRANSITION FROM DEPARTURE  TO ENROUTE


In an IFR flight, you typically switch from the departure frequency to the "en route" or "center" frequency once you have reached a designated altitude, usually after following the departure procedure (SID) and are established on your assigned course, as instructed by ATC; this is generally considered the point where you transition from the departure phase to the en route phase of your flight


TRANSITION FROM  EnRoute TO Approach


CLEARED (type) APPROACH.
CLEARED APPROACH.
(To authorize a pilot to execute his/her choice of instrument approach),
CLEARED (specific procedure to be flown) APPROACH.
(Where more than one procedure is published on a single chart and a specific procedure is to be flown),
CLEARED (ILS/LDA) APPROACH, GLIDESLOPE UNUSABLE.
(To authorize a pilot to execute an ILS or an LDA approach when the glideslope is out of service)
CLEARED LOCALIZER APPROACH
(When the title of the approach procedure contains “or LOC”)
CANCEL APPROACH CLEARANCE (additional instructions as necessary)
(When it is necessary to cancel a previously issued approach clearance)

EXAMPLE-

“Cleared Approach.”
“Cleared (V-O-R/I-L-S/Localizer) Approach.”
“Cleared L-D-A Runway Three-Six Approach.”
“Cleared Localizer Back Course Runway One-Three Approach.”
“Cleared (GPS/RNAV Z) Runway Two-Two Approach.”
“Cleared BRANCH ONE Arrival and (ILS/RNAV) Runway One-Three Approach.”
“Cleared I-L-S Runway Three-Six Approach, glideslope unusable.”
“Cleared S-D-F Approach.”
“Cleared G-L-S Approach.”

NOTE-

  • unchecked

    Clearances authorizing instrument approaches are issued on the basis that, if visual contact with the ground is made before the approach is completed, the entire approach procedure will be followed unless the pilot receives approval for a contact approach, is cleared for a visual approach, or cancels their IFR flight plan.

  • unchecked

    Approach clearances are issued based on known traffic. The receipt of an approach clearance does not relieve the pilot of his/her responsibility to comply with applicable Parts of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations and the notations on instrument approach charts which levy on the pilot the responsibility to comply with or act on an instruction; for example, “Straight-in minima not authorized at night,” “Procedure not authorized when glideslope/glidepath not used,” “Use of procedure limited to aircraft authorized to use airport,” or “Procedure not authorized at night” or Snowflake icon with associated temperature.

  • unchecked

    In some cases, the name of the approach, as published, is used to identify the approach, even though a component of the approach aid, other than the localizer on an ILS is inoperative.

  • unchecked

    Where more than one procedure to the same runway is published on a single chart, each must adhere to all final approach guidance contained on that chart, even though each procedure will be treated as a separate entity when authorized by ATC.

  • unchecked

    The use of alphabetical identifiers in the approach name with a letter from the end of the alphabet; for example, X, Y, Z, such as “HI TACAN Z Rwy 6L or RNAV(GPS) Y Rwy 04”, denotes multiple straight-in approaches to the same runway that use the same approach aid.

  • unchecked

    Alphabetical suffixes with a letter from the beginning of the alphabet; for example, A, B, C, denote a procedure that does not meet the criteria for straight-in landing minimums authorization.

  • unchecked

    14 CFR Section 91.175(j) requires a pilot to receive a clearance to conduct a procedure turn when vectored to a final approach course or fix, conducting a timed approach, or when the procedure specifies “NO PT.

  • unchecked

    An aircraft which has been cleared to a holding fix and prior to reaching that fix is issued a clearance for an approach, but not issued a revised routing; that is, “proceed direct to....” may be expected to proceed via the last assigned route, a feeder route (if one is published on the approach chart), and then to commence the approach as published. If, by following the route of flight to the holding fix, the aircraft would overfly an IAF or the fix associated\ with the beginning of a feeder route to be used, the aircraft is expected to commence the approach using the published feeder route to the IAF or from the IAF as appropriate; that is, the aircraft would not be expected to overfly and return to the IAF or feeder route.

  • unchecked

    Approach name items contained within parenthesis; for example, RNAV (GPS) Rwy 04, are not included in approach clearance phraseology.

  • unchecked

    Pilots are required to advise ATC when intending to apply cold temperature compensation to instrument approach segments. Pilots must advise ATC of the amount of compensation required for each affected segment on initial contact or as soon as possible. Pilots are not required to advise ATC when correcting on the final segment only. Controllers may delay the issuance of an approach clearance to comply with approved separation requirements when informed that a pilot will apply cold temperature compensation (CTC). Pilots will not apply altitude compensation, unless authorized, when assigned an altitude prior to an approach clearance. Consideration should be given to vectoring aircraft at or above the requested compensating altitude if possible. This eliminates pilots having to climb once on the approach.


Clear for the Approach

Cessna MC465Y you're 4 miles from JERIT, Turn Left Heading 300, Maintain 3000 until established, you're clear  ILS3-4 for the approach into Boston. 

PTAC - Position Turn Altitude Clearance
P  _position is where you are (you do not need to repeat back to ATC
T - Turn to intercept the Approach
A - Altitude altitude you're already at
C - Clearance is typically what you've requested. 

Cessna 34Y, You are 11 miles from RUKIY

Turn right heading 160

Maintain 3,000 until established on localizer

Clear ILS Runway 18 approach

- Right 160, 

- maintain 3,000 until establish on localizer 

- Clear ILS Runway 18 approach

34Y


Cessna 34Y,  Contact Tower, 119.3

Have a good day

- Tower 119.3  34Y good day

----- TRANSITION FROM APPROACH TO TOWER -----


Holding Pattern
Direct
Parallel
Tear Drop

5' T
Time
Turn
Twist
Throttle
Talk 

5 A's
ATIS
Altimeter
Alignment
Approach
Avionics

GUMPS

Gas

Undercarriage

Mixture

Power



Instrument Approach Clearances with ATC Communications

 
Instrument Approach Clearances with ATC Communications
 



ATC: “N784TC, fly heading 270, descend and maintain 4000”
Pilot:  Heading 270, descend and maintain 4000’  4TC
 
ATC:  “Expect Vectors across final for spacing”
 
ATC:  “N784TC” 5 miles from final approach fix, turn right heading 325 
Descend and maintain  4,000 until established on the final approach course, clear ILS runway 35 right approach”
 
Pilot: :  Turn right heading 325,  maintain 4000;  until established , clear ILS 35 Right approach”
 
Turn – Intercept Heading
Altitude – Maintain until established
Clearance – Approach Type and runway
 
 
Heading  ___    Altitude ____  Clearance
 
HDG         ALT    APPR/RWY
325          4000   ILS Runway 35R
 
Pilot Read Back
Heading ____ Maintain ____ until established, Cleared ________
Heading 325;  Maintain  4,000  until established, Cleared  ILS Runway 35Right , Tail Number
 
Switch to Tower frequency

Pilot: Hanscom Tower, cessna N784TC, ILS 35R
Tower:  N784TC,  clear to land runway 35R
 
Or 

Example 2  (Vector to Localizer)
ATC: N784TC, Turn Right heading 325,  intercept the localizer 
or 
ATC: N784TC, Turn Right heading 325,  intercept the localizer , report on Established


Distance from final approach fix in knot miles
 
 
 
Heading to maintain
“Turn right heading 325”
 
Altitude to maintain or descend and maintain
“Maintain 4,000 until established”                  
 
“Approach clearance”
“Clear ILS runway 35R
 
 



 
Vector to Final  (3 notical niles, intercept angle not grater than 30 deg
Established on Final

FULL Approach Circle To Land



 
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADjsA549NcY
 


Cessna 172 Aircool 4 cylinders Lycoming engine

 

The Cessna 172 is powered by either a Lycoming IO-360-L2A or a Lycoming O-320 engine. The IO-360-L2A is used in the Cessna 172S, while the O-320 is used in other models of the Cessna 172.
 
Lycoming IO-360-L2A 
A four-cylinder, air-cooled, fuel-injected engine with 360 cubic inches of displacement
  • Produces 180 horsepower
  • Has a maximum engine rpm of 2,700
  • Has a direct drive, meaning the crankshaft is connected directly to the propeller
Lycoming O-320
  • A four-cylinder, air-cooled, naturally aspirated engine with 320 cubic inches of displacement
  • Available in variants rated for 150 or 160 horsepower 
  • A horizontally-opposed engine, meaning the pistons oppose each other 
  • A direct drive engine, meaning the crankshaft is connected directly to the propeller

Kites

Kite - Sky is the Limit Types of Kites:  various shapes and sizes -  Bird kite,  box kite, standard kite  Labor of love  1. - Wooden Frame -...