Does anyone know what happened to the FAA's proposal to increase the requirements for instrument currency to include departure procedures etc? Is the FAA still pursuing this? -Robert, CFII

Today I was shooting approaches at MHR. Wx was 001OVC 1/8SM. When I got handed off to tower they would say "Mooney 1234, not in site, landing own risk, landing runway 22L". That doesn't sound like a landing clearance to me. What does "landing runway 22L" mean in the tower ATC phrase book? Why would...

The other day I shot the VOR approach into SMO for the first time in low actual. I've often looked at that approach as one of the most difficult I've seen published so it was interesting to actually try it. The weather was 008OVC with something like 3sm HZ. I touched down about 3/4 down the runway...

I'm curious, how does one controller secure a direct clearance through mulitple other controllers' areas? Sometimes it seems that after a handoff the receiving controller doesn't know what your clearance is (but certainly must have that area available for you). As a typical example, I was flying...

Peter wrote: This is the reg which prevents flying instrument approaches unless it is a published one. In the UK, this is not illegal (on G-reg aircraft). But then we don't get the radar services here, etc. Pilots tend to fly descents using a GPS, etc. In the USA, there are GPS...

The other day I was doing a VFR practice approach into Tracy, CA when the controller told me "reporting canceling IFR this freq, or on ground via land line...". I told him "uh, ok canceling IFR, I didn't believe I was IFR" (because I hadn't asked for or received an IFR clearance). The controller...

In the latest Jepp update for Marion, ILL, the procedure has changed to what looks for all the world like a LOC approach. The minimums for the ILS have been replaced by ‘NA’, and the DA has been replaced by an MDA. Yet the title of the approach is still ILS Rwy 20. Why didn’t they change the...

I have seen some GPS Notams about likely unreliability in certain areas over certain very narrowly-defined periods of time. Can anyone tell me what sort of known activities create these conditions? -Robert Scott Ypsilanti, Michigan

I am fortunate enough to spend some time in my Uncle's new 2006 T182 with the Nav III G1000. Amazing stuff. But am spending time "head down". Can't seem to find Victor airways. Lots of amazing stuff - XM weather, echo tops, Metars/TAFs etc. But 530 had the V airways! As not my plane - I cant...

Hello, After +2 years without flying I'm planning to get back to the air. With a rusty SEL rating, I'm looking for a flight school for two different goals: (a) A few lessons for currency and a BFR right now, and (b) Lessons towards an instrument's rating latter on. Trying to decide where. Options...

Anyone has any real world experience using Control Vision's Pocket Plates? Does the geo-refenced function work as advertised? Robin

I am planning a flight from Los Angeles to New Orleans for some much needed R&R during holidays. My wife does not like to fly more than two 4-hour legs a day, so my plan is to fly from EMT to ELP for fuel & lunch than to AUS overnight. Next morning we continue to NEW. For return trip, we will...

I have seen some CNX-80 screen pictures with its built-in CDI showing the course as a triangle, sometimes it points up and other times it points down. What does it mean when it points up vs. down? Glideslope or VNAV? Regards, Robin Hou

Aviation Consumers in their review said that CNX-80 could be certified with its built-in CDI. Is it true? If it is true, does its built-in CDI provide G/S or VNAV indication? Robin

I am going from El Monte (EMT) to Oakland (OAK) tomorrow. With single engine plane at 120 knt, which arrival procedure / approach can I expect from ATC? Thanks, Robin Hou

I want out to play last week. I requested clearance from EMT to RAL for ILS to rwy 9. Shortly after I was level at 4000, I was cleared to intercept localizer. As I tracked localizer, the glideslope started down and I started down with it. At 3,700, ATC called to ask me to remain 4000. I...

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This is from AvionicsWest: "WAAS for the GNS430/530 is now postponed until sometime in 2006. I don't "think" the problem is really a WAAS issue. You see, Garmin plans on making the 430/530 comply with TSO 146 just as the GNS480. TSO 146 requires an update rate of 5hz verses 1hz as the product...

In an earlier subject, Jeppview vs. paper Jepp Plates, I was waiting for my touch screen to arrive so I can use it to display JeppView/FliteDeck moving map. Anyways, it arrived on last Tuesday, and I went to airport to hook it up, and took it for a ride. And it works! It is very sun light...

I went up with a friend who is a CFII to do some night IFR last Tuesday. Everything went fine, except when So. Cal. cleared me to RAL for CNO GPS-B while I was going out bound from the published hold at PDZ, I could not get RAL programmed into my Trimble 2000 Approach as the IAF. I tried it...