It was his first airplane trip at age seven that made Eric decide to become a pilot. "While boarding the airplane, a flight attendant noticed my interest in the flight deck and urged me to go talk to the pilot. I give a lot of credit to that pilot for my career choice." He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and went on to an airline career. He learned to fly at Sporty’s as part of the University of Cincinnati’s Professional Pilot Program, an initiative he later directed. He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and went on to an airline career. Eric now manages Sporty’s media network including FlightTrainingCentral.com. In addition, Eric serves as a Captain in a Cincinnati-based corporate flight department.
The Terminal Arrival Area (TAA) approach is designed to provide a transition from the IFR enroute segment to the approach environment with little required interaction between the pilot and air traffic control (ATC). This is accomplished by publishing operationally usable altitudes in lieu of a traditional minimum safe altitude (MSA) altitude defined within a circular sector.
As a Part 107 drone pilot (commercial operator), or as a recreational drone flyer, operations in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace are allowed without air traffic control permission. Operations in Class B, C, D and E (controlled) airspace require ATC approval. Since the inception of the rules governing UAS, Authorizations for controlled airspace operations have become much simpler and can be obtained from the FAA.
FAA is making the NOTAM information more accessible and readable by adopting the ICAO standardized format. Essentially, NOTAMs will be much easier to read and interpret.
While you can be compensated to fly as a Commercial pilot, you can only do so under the common law term, private carriage, which is conducted under Part 91. The opposite of private carriage is common carriage which requires a Part 119 authorization (Air Carrier Certificate) issued under Part 135 for charter operators or Part 121 for airlines.
The Flight Review is required under FAR 61.56 which must be completed every 24 calendar months. While it’s not a test or a checkride, it’s an opportunity to sharpen your skills and stay up to date with regulations. So, what should a pilot expect during a flight review?
Flying to and from an airport in Class D airspace is one of the more common communication scenarios a pilot will encounter. While no two airports will function exactly the same, here are some key tips for confidence and success.
To be eligible to serve as an airline crew member, pilots must possess an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate (ATP). To reach the ATP level, pilots now have the option of pursuing an unrestricted ATP subject to FAR Part 61 requirements or may choose to pursue a Restricted ATP (R-ATP) qualification by graduating from an approved, collegiate-based aviation program.
You’ll find that many destinations—Canada, the Bahamas and much of the Caribbean—are very accommodating of private aircraft and it’s relatively easy to comply with the local procedures. But for other international destinations, you’ll find the complexities are such that it may be worthwhile—or even required—to enlist the assistance of a local representative known as a handler to help navigate the entry and departure requirements.
If you climb out on a typical summer day, you’ll bump along for the first 5,000 feet in hazy air. Then, if you’re paying attention, you’ll notice there’s almost a line in the sky, above which is clear blue sky and below is murky. That’s the top of the haze layer, and below it you’ll almost always find a few bumps.
In this recent Pilot Minute video from the FAA, Federal Air Surgeon, Dr. Susan Northrup, discusses the importance of quality rest and physical preparedness for flight.
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