Having a childhood dream of aviation, Chris first became an Aviation Explorer, motivating him to earn his private pilot's certificate as a teenager. During his four years at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University he earned his commercial, multi-engine certificate with an instrument rating. While experimenting in seaplanes, gliders, and flying his personal vintage Cessna 172, Chris developed a passion for general aviation. As a flight instructor, he shares that passion creating aviation training apps and content for Sporty's Pilot Shop. Outside of flying, Chris enjoys collecting and repairing weird cars.
Taxiing around large airports is often one of the more challenging aspects when learning to fly. Studying the various signs and markings in preparation for operating at an airport with a complex taxiway and runway layout will help you better understand the system and improve your situational awareness as you move from the parking area to the active runway.
All pilots must maintain vigilance to see and avoid other aircraft. In a see-and-be-seen environment you should continuously scan all areas visible from the cockpit. But do you know the best method to accomplish this? What about at night? Take this quiz and test your ability to spot a potential traffic conflict and avoid a dangerous collision.
You’ll likely pass through several classes of airspace on every flight, whether it’s your first solo or a cross-country flight to the beach. Each class of airspace is depicted with unique markings on the sectional chart and different VFR weather minimums and equipment requirements. Take our latest quiz and test your knowledge of the U.S. airspace system.
During flight training, you’ll learn to plan your cross-country flights first by hand and use the E6B each step of the way. You’ll also find it to be a handy companion when studying for the FAA knowledge exam. We’ll use the Sporty’s electronic E6B flight computer in this quiz when calculating flight planning and navigation questions.
TAA aircraft are frequently more available, more affordable, and emphasize situational awareness, automation management, and GPS navigation skills that directly translate to real-world operations.
Airplane performance can be defined as the capability of an airplane to operate effectively while serving a specific purpose. Among the elements of performance are takeoff and landing distances, rate of climb, ceiling, speed, payload, and fuel economy. Answer these questions and see if you can correctly determine all the factors required for adequate aircraft performance.
Winds aloft, true course, heading and groundspeed. Can you put all the puzzle pieces together and plan a successful cross-country flight?
The pitot-static system is the source of valuable flight information for the pilot. But how does it work and what instruments are affected? Take this quiz to find out if you have mastered the finer details of the pitot-static system.
Class E airspace is often confusing because it’s not clearly depicted on the sectional chart but it’s crucial to understand its boundaries
Aircraft engines can provide thousands of hours of reliable service, provided that they are maintained and operated properly. From the pilot’s perspective, this involves learning the best practices for power control, leaning procedures, cooling, and other operational considerations.
