OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

Section A: Safety of Flight

Section B: Airports Visual Scanning

Section C: Aeronautical Charts To see and avoid other aircraft, you

must develop an effective visual scanning
Section D: Airspace
pattern which is compatible with the function
of your eyes. Two normal healthy eyes
provide the average person with a field of
Section A: Safety of Flight vision of approximately 200°. However, the
Maintaining the safety of flight is your area in which the eye can focus sharply and
number one priority as a pilot. Every flight is perceive detail is a relatively narrow cone
different and, as pilot in command, you need (usually only about 10° wide) directly in the
to consider the factors which can affect your center of the field of vision.
flight and take the appropriate actions to Note: The most effective way to scan during
ensure safety. daylight is through a series of short, regularly
Collision Avoidance spaced eye movements in 10° sectors.

Learning collision avoidance

procedures begins with your first flight. The
risk of an inflight collision exists for all pilots.
Studies show that the majority of midair
collisions occur within five miles of an
airport, during daylight hours, and in VFR
conditions.

Working independently from air

traffic control, TCAS uses nearby aircraft's
transponder signals to alert pilots to the
danger of mid-air collisions. It does so by
constructing a three-dimensional map of the
airspace through which the aircraft is
traveling

Visual Flight Rules (VFR) - the rule that

govern the operation of aircraft in Visual
Meteorological Conditions (VMC)
(conditions in which flight solely by visual
reference is possible).

Visual Meteorological Condition (VMC) -

Visual Condition (Clear Sky)

Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) - the rule

which allow properly equipped aircraft to be
flown under instrument meteorological
conditions (IMC).

Instrument Meteorological Condition (IMC) –

Instrument Condition (Not Clear Sky)

By: Engr. Kyla Mae M. San Jose

Strike Wing Aviation Training Center
Private Pilot Course
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

Empty Field Myopia

Sky conditions also have an effect on

your ability to see traffic. Empty Field Myopia
is when you are looking at a featureless sky
that is devoid of objects, contrasting colors, or
patterns, your eyes tend to focus at only 10 to
30 feet ahead. This means that spots on the
windshield which are out of focus could
appear to be airplanes, and distant traffic may
go undetected.

Blind Spots and Aircraft Designs

Airplanes, like automobiles, have

problems associated with blind spots. In both
highwing and low-wing aircraft designs,
portions of your view are blocked by the
fuselage and wings.

Maneuvers in the Training Area

Prior to starting any maneuvers, make

clearing turns and carefully scan the area for
other aircraft. Clearing turns, which usually
consist of at least a 180° change in direction,
allow you to see areas blocked by blind spots
and make it easier to maintain visual contact
with other aircraft in the area.

Aircraft in distress always has the right of way

followed by the least maneuverable

By: Engr. Kyla Mae M. San Jose

Strike Wing Aviation Training Center
Private Pilot Course
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

Minimum Safe Altitudes

Taxiing in Wind

Into the wind, away from the wind

By: Engr. Kyla Mae M. San Jose

Strike Wing Aviation Training Center
Private Pilot Course
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

Positive Exchange of Flight Controls Uncontrolled Airport

Frequently during your flight training, A non-towered airport does not have
it will be necessary for you to exchange the an operating control tower. Two-way radio
flight controls with your instructor. For communications are not required, although it
example, your instructor normally will is a good operating practice for pilots to
demonstrate a maneuver first, before passing transmit their intentions on the specified
the controls to you. To ensure that it is clear frequency for the benefit of other traffic in
as to who has control of the aircraft, we use the area.
these Phrases:
Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF)
Pilot Passing Control: “Your Control”
It is a frequency designated for the purpose of
Pilot Taking Control: “My Control” carrying out airport advisory practices while
operating to or from an airport without an
operating control tower.
Section B: Airports
UNICOM - Ground to Air Communication
Each time a pilot operates an aircraft, (121.90)
the flight normally begins and ends at an
MULTICOM - Air to Air Communication
airport. This chapter examines airport
operations, identifies features of an airport Runway Layout
complex, and provides information on
Since airplanes are directly affected
operating on or in the vicinity of an airport.
by wind during takeoffs and landings, runways
Types of Airports are not arbitrarily placed by builders. It is
normally positioned so that you can take off
● Civil Airport
and land in the direction of the prevailing
● Military/Federal Government Airport wind. If there is more than one runway, the
main runway is aligned with the prevailing
● Private Airport wind and the remaining runway or runways
● Controlled Airport are placed so that they are aligned with other
common wind directions.
● Uncontrolled Airport
Single, Parallel LCR
Controlled Airport
Intersecting prevailing wind 2 consistent wind
A towered airport has an operating direction
control tower. Air traffic control (ATC) is
responsible for providing the safe, orderly, The runway's magnetic direction is rounded
and expeditious flow of air traffic at airports off to the nearest 10°
where the type of operations and/or volume
of traffic requires such a service. Pilots
operating from a towered airport are required
to maintain two-way radio communication
with ATC and to acknowledge and comply
with their instructions.

RPUX: Ground: 123.55 MHz

Tower: 122.40 MHz

By: Engr. Kyla Mae M. San Jose

Strike Wing Aviation Training Center
Private Pilot Course
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

Plaridel Runway (RPUX)

Single, Parallel and Intersecting Runway

Traffic Pattern

Traffic patterns are established to ensure that Traffic patterns normally use left turns
air traffic flows into and out of an airport in an because an airplane with side-by-side seating
orderly manner. Although the direction and is usually flown from the left seat, and
placement of the pattern, the altitude at because the pilot has a better view out to the
which it is to be flown, and the procedures for left. Hence, left-hand patterns are standard
entering and exiting the pattern may vary, a
standard rectangular pattern with five named
legs is used at most airports.

By: Engr. Kyla Mae M. San Jose

Strike Wing Aviation Training Center
Private Pilot Course
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

Wind Direction Indicators

Wind sock 3kts per color

Segmented Circle

At an uncontrolled airport, you can

determine landing direction by observing the
wind direction indicator. The extensions on
the segmented circle indicate whether a left-
hand or right-hand pattern should be used for
a given runway.

By: Engr. Kyla Mae M. San Jose

Strike Wing Aviation Training Center
Private Pilot Course
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

Airport Visual Aids

When you begin your flight training,

the airport environment can seem confusing.
However, just as you learn how to interpret
traffic signals, road signs, and highway
markings, you will soon become familiar with
the visual aids at an airport that help you
maintain orientation and keep traffic flowing
smoothly.

Runway Markings

● Runway markings vary between

runways used solely for VFR
operations and those used in
conjunction with IFR operations.

● A visual runway usually is marked

with only the runway number and a
dashed white centerline.

● When flying instrument approaches,

pilots can use the additional markings
on IFR runways as references for
landing.

By: Engr. Kyla Mae M. San Jose

Strike Wing Aviation Training Center
Private Pilot Course
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

120 ft long per stripe 80 ft gap Taxiway Markings

15ft width per stripe Precision Obstacle Free Zone pofz

M-ft x3.28

By: Engr. Kyla Mae M. San Jose

Strike Wing Aviation Training Center
Private Pilot Course
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

Runway guard lights are installed at

taxiway/runway intersections. They are
primarily used to enhance the conspicuity of
taxiway/runway intersections during low
visibility conditions, but may be used in all
weather conditions.

By: Engr. Kyla Mae M. San Jose

Strike Wing Aviation Training Center
Private Pilot Course
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

Airport Signs

By: Engr. Kyla Mae M. San Jose

Strike Wing Aviation Training Center
Private Pilot Course
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

Ramp Area Runway Incursion

The area where aircraft are parked Runway incursions are primarily
and tied down is called the apron, or ramp caused by errors associated with clearances,
area. communication, airport surface movement,
and positional awareness. There are several
Ramp Signals
procedures that you can follow and
precautions that you can take to avoid a
runway incursion.

Runway Incursion Avoidance

● During your preflight planning, study

the airport layout by reviewing the
airport diagram and taxi routes.

● Complete as many checklist items as

possible before taxi or while holding
short.

● Strive for clear and unambiguous

Land and Hold Short Operations pilot-controller communication. Read
back (in full) all clearances involving
Land and hold short operations active runway crossing, hold short,
(LAHSO) include landing and then holding taxi into position, and hold
short of an intersecting runway, taxiway, or instructions.
predetermined point. A LAHSO clearance is an
air traffic control tool used to increase airport ● While taxiing, know your precise
capacity, maintain system efficiency, and location and concentrate on your
enhance safety. primary responsibilities. Don't
become absorbed in other tasks, or
conversation, while the aircraft is
moving.

● If unsure of your position on the

airport, stop and ask for assistance. At
a controlled airport, you can request
progressive taxi instructions.

● When possible, while in a run-up area

or waiting for a clearance, position
your aircraft so you can see landing
aircraft.

● Monitor the appropriate radio

frequencies for information regarding
other aircraft cleared onto your
runway for takeoff or landing. Be alert
for aircraft which may be on other
frequencies or without radio
communication.

By: Engr. Kyla Mae M. San Jose

Strike Wing Aviation Training Center
Private Pilot Course
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

● After landing, stay on the tower

frequency until instructed to change
frequencies.

● To help others see your aircraft during

periods of reduced visibility or at
night, use your exterior taxi/landing
lights, when practical.

● Report deteriorating or confusing

airport markings, signs, and lighting to
the airport operator or FAA officials.
Also report confusing or erroneous
airport diagrams and instructions.
Airport Lighting
● Make sure you understand the
required procedures if you fly into or Your flying experiences will soon take
out of an airport where LAHSO is in you from flying only in the daytime to the new
effect. challenge of night flying. You will notice that
airport lighting is similar from one airport to
Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) the next. To maintain continuity, airports that
Issued to inform pilots of a runway are lighted for nighttime operations use CAAP
closure, changes in the status of navigational approved lighting systems and colors.
aids or instrument approach facilities, radar Airport Beacon
service availability, and other information
essential to planned enroute, terminal, or ● At night, airport beacons are used to
landing operations. guide pilots to lighted airports. Airport
beacons may be of the older rotating
● NOTAM have a consistent format as type, or the newer flashing variety
follows: which produces the same effect.
● Location information, NOTAM ● An airport's rotating beacon operated
number, subject reported , date and during daylight hours normally
time indicates that weather at the airport
● Date and time of the commencement is below basic VFR minimums.
of any change

● Date and time of the cessation of any

change

● Hours of activation

● A plain language message

● The lower limit of airspace that it

effects

● The upper limit of airspace that it

effects

By: Engr. Kyla Mae M. San Jose

Strike Wing Aviation Training Center
Private Pilot Course
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

Visual Glideslope Indicators

Visual glideslope indicators are light

systems which indicate your position in
relation to the desired glide path to the
runway. The indicator lights are located on
the side of a basic or instrument runway and
can be used for day or night approaches.

Types of Visual Glideslope Indicators

● Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI)

● Tri-color VASI

● Pulsating VASI

● Precision Approach Path Indicator

(PAPI)

By: Engr. Kyla Mae M. San Jose

Strike Wing Aviation Training Center
Private Pilot Course
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

Approach Light System (ALS)

Some airports have approach lighting

systems (ALS) to help instrument pilots
transition to visual references at the
completion of an instrument approach.
Approach light systems can aid you in locating
the runway at night.

● The most complex systems are for

precision instrument runways and
usually have sequenced flashing lights
that look like a ball of light traveling
toward the runway at high speed.

● For non-precision instrument

Runway End Identifier Lights
runways, the approach lighting is
simpler and, for VFR runways, the Sometimes high intensity white
system may consist only of visual strobe lights are placed on each side of the
glideslope indicators. runway to mark the threshold. These are
called runway end identifier lights (REILs) and
can be used in conjunction with the green
threshold lights.

Runway Edge Lights

Runway edge lights consist of a single row of In-runway Lighting

white lights bordering each side of the runway
● Some precision approach runways
and lights identifying the runway threshold.
have flush-mounted centerline,
Runway edge lights can be classified according
touchdown zone, and taxiway turnoff
to three intensity levels:
lighting. Viewed from the threshold,
● High intensity runway lights (HIRLs) the runway centerline lighting system
(RCLS) is white until the last 3,000
● Medium intensity runway lights
feet of the runway.
(MIRLs)
● From the 3,000-foot point to the
● Low intensity runway lights (LIRLs)
1,000-foot point, alternating red and
Pilot Controlled Lighting white lights appear.

Pilot-controlled lighting is the term used to ● With the last 1,000 feet of lights
describe systems that you can activate by changing to red only.
keying the aircraft's microphone, or mike, on
This system helps instrument pilots determine
a specified radio frequency.
the amount of runway remaining in very low
Note: Keep in mind that other types of visibility situations.
airport lighting may be pilot controlled, not
just approach and runway lighting. For By: Engr. Kyla Mae M. San Jose
example, VASI and REIL lights may be pilot Strike Wing Aviation Training Center
controlled at some locations. Private Pilot Course
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

Taxiway Lighting Section C: Aeronautical Charts

As you taxi off the active runway, blue lights, ● World Aeronautical Chart (WAC)
lining both edges of the taxiway, guide you 1:1,000,000 (about 1 inch = 13.7
from the runway to the ramp area. Because nautical miles or 16 statute miles)
they can be seen from any direction, they are
said to be omnidirectional lights. ● Sectional Chart (SEC)

● At some airports, green taxiway 1:500,000 (about 1 inch = 6.86

centerline lights also may be installed. nautical miles or 8 statute miles)

● These lights are located along the ● VFR Terminal Area Chart
taxiway centerline in both straight 1:250,000 (about 1 inch = 3.43
and curved portions of the taxiway. nautical miles or 4 statute miles)
● They also may be located along Section D: Airspace
designated taxiing paths in portions of
runways and ramp areas. The portion of the atmosphere above a
particular land area, especially above a nation.

● Controlled Airspace

● Uncontrolled Airspace

An aerodrome or airdrome is any place

from where flight operations can take place.
This can include an airstrip in the middle of
Obstruction Lighting nowhere to a commercial airport in the
biggest city in the world. An airport is a special
Obstruction lighting is used both on type of aerodrome that has satisfied certain
and off the airport, during the day and at certification criteria or regulatory
night. The purpose of obstruction lighting is to requirements of the ICAO that a regular
give you advance warning of prominent aerodrome may not have achieved.
structures such as towers, buildings and,
sometimes, even powerlines. Bright red and
high intensity white lights typically are used
and flashing lights may be employed.

By: Engr. Kyla Mae M. San Jose

Strike Wing Aviation Training Center
Private Pilot Course
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

Airspace Classification

● Class A - From 18,000 to 60,000 feet ● This 200-knot restriction also applies
MSL (IFR) in airspace underlying a Class B area
and in VFR corridors through Class B
● Class B - From surface to 10,000 feet
airspace.
MSL
Special Use Airspace
● Class C - From surface to 1,200 feet
MSL (Inner Ring) 1,200 feet MSL to Special use airspace is used to confine
4,000 feet MSL (Outer Ring) certain flight activities and to place limitations
on aircraft operations which are not part of
● Class D - From surface to 2,500 feet
these activities. Special use airspace is divided
MSL
into:
● Class E - where the other airspaces
● Alert areas
are not.
● Military operations areas
● Class G - From surface to 700 or 1,200
feet AGL. Sometimes all the to 14,500 ● Warning areas
feet MSL.
● Restricted areas
Airspeed Limitations
● Prohibited areas
Since the airspace at lower altitudes, and
● Controlled firing areas
especially in the vicinity of airports, tends to
be congested, the FAA has established aircraft ● National security areas
speed restrictions.
Alert Areas
● Flights below 10,000 feet MSL are
limited to a maximum indicated Areas shown on aeronautical charts to
airspeed of 250 knots. inform you of unusual types of aerial
activities, such as parachute jumping, glider
● When operating in Class C or D towing, or high concentrations of student
airspace, at or below 2,500 feet above pilot training are designated as alert areas.
the surface and within 4 nautical
miles of the primary airport, you must
not exceed 200 knots indicated
airspeed.

By: Engr. Kyla Mae M. San Jose

Strike Wing Aviation Training Center
Private Pilot Course
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

Military operations areas

A military operations area (MOA) is a

block of airspace in which military training and
other military maneuvers are conducted.

Controlled Firing Areas

The distinguishing feature of a

controlled firing area, compared to
Warning Areas other special use airspace, is that its
Warning areas often contain hazards activities are discontinued
such as aerial gunnery or guided missiles. immediately when a spotter aircraft,
radar, or ground lookout personnel
Warning areas are depicted on aeronautical
determines an aircraft might be
charts to caution nonparticipating pilots of
approaching the area. Since
the potential danger. A warning area may be
located over domestic or international waters nonparticipating aircraft are not
or both. required to change their flight path,
controlled firing areas are not depicted
on aeronautical charts.

Other Airspace Areas

Other airspace areas mainly

consist of national security areas,
airport advisory areas and military
training routes. Other segments in this
Restricted Areas category may be designated as
Restricted areas often have invisible temporary flight restrictions, flight
hazards to aircraft, such as artillery firing, limitations in proximity to space flight
aerial gunnery, or guided missiles. Permission operations, and flight restrictions in
to fly through restricted areas must be proximity to the Presidential party.
granted by the controlling agency. Parachute jump areas and terminal
radar service areas (TRSAs) also are
classified as other airspace areas.

By: Engr. Kyla Mae M. San Jose

Strike Wing Aviation Training Center
Private Pilot Course
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

Temporary Flight Restrictions

When necessary, temporary flight

restrictions are imposed by the FAA/CAAP
to protect persons or property on the
surface or in the air from a specific hazard
or situation.

Terminal Radar Service Area (TRSA) is a

non-regulatory airspace that overlies
some selected class D airports. The
purpose of TRSA is to provide VFR
aircraft with additional benefits, such
as traffic advisories and separation by
ATC

By: Engr. Kyla Mae M. San Jose

Strike Wing Aviation Training Center
Private Pilot Course