All about VFR flying

If you are about to being your journey as a student pilot, one of the things you will start hearing about early on in your training is VFR versus IFR. So, let’s talk about what that is all about!

Aircraft flying in the National Airspace System operate under two basic categories of flight: Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).

Visual Flight Rules means that the aircraft is intended to operate in visual meteorological conditions (i.e., nice and clear weather). You should avoid clouds, heavy precipitation, low visibility, and otherwise adverse weather conditions under VFR. Most general aviation flying and flight training take place in visual meteorological conditions.

Instrument Flight Rules implies that the flight may operate in instrument meteorological conditions (meaning cloudy or otherwise adverse weather conditions). However, many aircraft may operate under IFR while completing the entire flight in visual meteorological conditions. Just because you can fly in the clouds or less than acceptable weather under IFR doesn’t mean you should!

IFR flying has many benefits. Often the equipment on board allows for very precise flight along a route that is more direct than the twists and turns that might be required to dodge airspace and some weather under VFR. IFR also allows an aircraft to depart in weather that is less than required for VFR, and enter the clouds once the IFR clearance has been received. It allows pilots to get above the clouds to smoother air, and air traffic control provides a watchful eye and will bring to attention any potential traffic hazards.

IFR provides efficiency, additional safety, and usually consistent contact with air traffic control, but it requires that pilots follow an exact pre-determined/pre-planned flight route. Deviations are allowed in case of emergencies, diversions, traffic and weather avoidance, but generally air traffic control expects you to fly the route and altitude you were given, which is called a clearance.

VFR flying, however, provides you the freedom of flying any route and altitude you choose, barring specific airspace limitations. General aviation enthusiasts flying for fun will often fly VFR. Pilots will also be limited to VFR if their aircraft is not equipped with the required equipment for IFR flight, or if they do not hold the required instrument rating to act as pilot-in-command on an IFR flight plan.

Choosing whether to fly VFR or IFR depends on several factors, including equipment available on the aircraft, current and forecast weather conditions, and the goals of the flight. However, as a student pilot you will fly VFR when conducting cross country flights with your instructor.

Here are some useful tips and insights that I found which may help you in VFR flying:

1. Flight Planning:

Flight planning is the foundation of every successful VFR flight. At the beginning your instructor will do the flight planning for your, but as you get closer to your solo flight, you will have to start taking on that responsibility.

First, begin by assessing the weather conditions, checking NOTAMs (Notice to Air Missions), and studying sectional charts. Identify landmarks, waypoints, and airfields along your route. Consider airspace restrictions and regulations that may affect your flight. A well-thought-out flight plan sets the stage for a smooth and efficient VFR journey.

2. Pre-Flight Checks:

One of the most important factors for a safe flight is the Pre-Flight Checks. It’s important to inspect the aircraft for any visible damage or malfunctions. Verify fuel levels, oil quantities, and control surfaces. Ensure that navigation and communication equipment, as well as lights, are in proper working order. This may initially take you a while, but with time you will become more proficient.

3. Sectional Charts and Navigation:

Sectional charts are indispensable tools for VFR pilots. Familiarize yourself with the symbols, abbreviations, and legends on the charts. Learn to interpret different airspace boundaries, obstructions, and navigation aids. Plan your route using visual landmarks, rivers, highways, or mountains. You can use pilotage (navigation by reference to landmarks or checkpoints) and dead reckoning techniques to maintain course and track your position. Regularly cross-reference your position with sectional charts to ensure accurate navigation. This is much easier if you have avionics that allow a better situational awareness.

4. Weather Considerations:

Weather awareness is vital for safe VFR flying. Stay informed about current and forecasted weather conditions along your route, using METAR or ATIS. Monitor temperature, cloud cover, wind speed, and visibility. Avoid flying in marginal weather, such as fog, thunderstorms, or strong crosswinds. You are the pilot in command so make the decision of flying with your current capabilities and not the aircraft's limitations. Be prepared to divert or delay your flight if weather conditions deteriorate. Always prioritize safety over pressure and schedule!

5. Traffic Scanning and Collision Avoidance:

Maintaining situational awareness and vigilance for other aircraft is critical during VFR flights. Continuously scan the sky for traffic, both visually and using the aircraft's instruments. If you have passengers, brief them on helping you find other aircrafts to avoid collision. Actively look for other aircraft, especially near airports or high-traffic areas. Stay vigilant, communicate intentions clearly on the radio, and be prepared to take evasive action if necessary. 6. Communications and Radio Procedures: Personally, I find speaking on the radio the most stressful part of flying, but establishing effective communication is something you learn to do over time and it is essential for safe VFR operations. Familiarize yourself with standard phraseology and radio procedures. Practice concise and clear radio transmissions. Prioritize listening to ATC communications and be prepared to comply with instructions. If ever confused don’t be afraid to ask again and/or speak slower. When communicating with other pilots, use plain language and be aware of frequency congestion. Good communication enhances situational awareness and promotes airspace safety. 7. Emergency Preparedness:

Finally, even with good planning, emergencies can occur at any time during the flight. Be prepared for contingencies. Familiarize yourself with emergency procedures specific to your aircraft and always brief before departing or landing. Practice emergency maneuvers such as stalls will prepare you to react faster in case of an emergency. It is important to learn to aviate, navigate, and communicate effectively under stress. Always prioritize flying the aircraft over communication, if you’re under too much workload in an emergency situation!

Meet the man who's done it all...

I've had the immense honor of interviewing Mr. Richard McSpadden and I can't even begin to express how impressed I am! Mr. McSpadden started flying as a teenager and has logged over 5,000 hours flying a variety of civilian and military aircraft. He served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years, including as commander and flight leader of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds where he led over 100 flight demonstrations flying the lead aircraft. Currently, he serves as Senior Vice President of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and leads a team of certified flight instructors and content creators who develop and distribute aviation safety material to advance general aviation safety industrywide.

Mr. McSpadden, you have had such an incredible career. You were a commander and flight leader at the United States Air Force Thunderbirds and today you are Senior Vice President of AOPA. Could you please tell the audience a little bit about your career path and what motivated you to get into the field of aviation?

My father was a huge influence on my decision. He started taking flight lessons in his 40s, when I was a freshman in college. He was a hard-working man and I’d never seen such joy in him. He encouraged me to take it up and I found that many of the skills I’d honed in my life up to that point harmonized. Flying was immediately rewarding to me and something I thought I could do well and would enjoy.

You were a commander at the US Air Force Thunderbirds, which is my absolute dream job. Could you let us know what the experience was like?

This is always a tough question. I never feel like I do it justice. Imagine yourself dripped in red, white and blue, flying corner to corner in this country you love and swore an oath to defend, in one of the most advanced flying machines ever built, representing the most dominant and respected Air Force in the world. I loved every minute of the job: representing the power, pride, and precision of the USAF; commanding an organization; and flying the lead jet on a team stacked with exceptional aviation talent. When you close your eyes and dream of what that must be like, in reality it’s far more than you can dream.

It sounds like the honor of a lifetime and the greatest experience I can imagine! Could you please tell us more about what your current work entails?

I lead a small team of certified flight instructors and content providers that work to advance aviation safety. We impact how pilots fly by influencing how they think through engaging and educational content. We also get involved with advocating for aviation safety with government entities and local authorities and organizations. And we engage in research on aviation safety and produce the annual report on general aviation safety that’s used throughout the industry to measure trends and set aviation safety strategy. It's another dream job.

What is that you like most about your current job?

It’s hard to say what I like most. There’s a lot to like. I have a great boss; an incredibly skilled and passionate team at ASI and we work among a deeply talented and committed team here at AOPA. It’s fun and rewarding to work among a group of people so committed to protect and grow general aviation and keep it safe. I also get to do a lot of traveling and fly with a lot of interesting and very talented general aviation pilots in some cool airplanes.

What skills and knowledge have been most important for your career in aviation?

It changes, through the years as you progress. When I started my USAF career, I was a pilot, a technician. The most important skill was to be the very best pilot I could be and I worked hard at it. Then, progressing through the ranks and moving up, my piloting skills were the ante to stay in the game, but to advance I needed to learn teamwork, leadership and managing skills. People skills and human psychology gets more and more important the higher up you move in an organization. Now, I’m not the best pilot in the room or the brightest aviation expert. My critical skills are to find those people and help them thrive. Move obstacles out of their way, help them hone their goals to harmonize with the organization and find the resources to help them bloom. It’s fantastically rewarding.

What advice would you give young students like me who dream of joining the Air Force?

Do it! The Air Force has a motto: "Service before self". That simple guidepost will teach you so much about yourself and about life.

What has been the most memorable moment of your incredible career journey to date?

I have so many great memories, it’s hard to choose a single one. The best of them involve people. Flying with my dad and teaching each of my children how to fly are fond memories I’ll cherish forever. I did some fantastic flying in the F-15 with some colleagues I respected immensely. Huge influences on me beyond flying. We had a lot of great moments on the Thunderbirds, yes the flying, but we met with some amazing people, living inspirational lives. Here at AOPA I’ve done just incredible flying that you can only do in this country with some unbelievably talented and fun…really fun people. That’s the thing about aviation. It will change your life. Not primarily due to flying. It’s the people you meet. Passionate, positive people that are attacking life!

Thank you, Sir. This has been such an inspiring interview and I am now even more excited about pursuing a career in aviation! Thank you for taking the time to respond to my questions. It's truly been an honor and a privilege!

The advantages of glider training

Back in the day, my mom was a glider pilot. I’ve always admired her passion and dedication, but in my mind, gliding was just a hobby or an enjoyable pastime. I didn’t fully realise that the skills glider pilots develop can actually translate to many other areas of their careers.

Mr. Wendell Lynch is an instrument-rated private pilot and flight instructor who works as a Safety Promotion Officer for General Aviation at the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) based in Cologne, Germany. He started his career in aviation as a glider pilot.

I asked him how this has helped him in his function as a private pilot and a flight instructor.

In your opinion, what are the most important skills that pilots gain through gliding?

One of the primary skills that pilots gain instinctively through gliding is basic stick and rudder skills; one of the most elementary abilities a pilot needs to develop to gain mastery of flight. Gliding also teaches pilots to read the clouds, interpret the thermals, analyze their surroundings, and connect with the elements they navigate. They develop an intuitive understanding of the environment they fly in and learn to fly their glider effectively using the ever-changing dynamics of the sky and landscape.These competencies can be invaluable in other types of flying as well.

Another important skill that is developed through gliding is decision-making. With no engine, glider pilots are used to the concept of energy management in flight. By constantly assessing their altitude and speed in relation to their flight path and surroundings, making strategic choices based on what they see and feel becomes second nature. This type of decision-making can be applied to any scenario where quick thinking and strategic planning are required.

Besides these skills, is there anything else that you learned through gliding that you found useful in your career?

Gliding also teaches pilots important soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and leadership. Pilots must work closely with ground crews and other pilots in order to safely operate a glider. By improving their communication and collaboration skills, glider pilots can become more effective leaders and better team players in other areas of their careers.

What would you say to young people who are interested in gliding?

In many parts of the world, including Europe, gliding often serves as a gateway to a potential career in aviation, particularly for younger people. It offers a valuable foundation and introduction to the principles of flight, aerodynamics, and aviation operations. This pathway allows aspiring pilots to develop their skills, gain experience, and make connections within the aviation community. It's a great way to start and less expensive than regular flight lessons!