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. Eric now serves as Chief Instructor at Sporty's Academy and directs the University of Cincinnati’s Professional Pilot Training Program. In addition, Eric serves as a Captain in a Cincinnati-based corporate flight department.
Flight Simulators have been a popular topic over the past year. Partially because of the new Microsoft Flight Simulator program, but also because new lines of professional equipment have debuted along with training programs. Through all the increased interest, can we qualify an at home flight simulator as a tool or a toy? In this […]
FAA recently published updates to its sample knowledge test questions. Updates to pilot and instructor sample questions are available at https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/test_questions/.
In this installment of CFI Tips, Sporty’s Academy CFI, Dale Fargo, discusses why checklist usage is important and how checklist usage should evolve with experience. Hear what pilots are doing right and wrong as well as the universal priorities of piloting.
I had the pleasure of attending the 64th annual Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) Convention and Trade Show the week of June 21 in Dallas, Texas. To begin and most important, it was the first major, in-person aviation event I’ve attended since the pandemic and wow, how refreshing to be back in the company of fellow […]
On its standard publication schedule, an updated AIM was recently published with changes effective June 17, 2021. Changes include the following paragraphs: 1−1−9. INSTRUMENT LANDING SYSTEM (ILS) This change is to edit the following text and add an additional figure to clarify that charted procedures with localizer coverage outside the Standard Service Volume (SSV) have […]
“NORDO” is a term defined in FAA Order 7110.65 (a.k.a. Air Traffic Controller’s Handbook) as an aircraft that can’t or doesn’t communicate by radio. While the term can apply to an aircraft not certified with an electrical system (radio) or one that has suffered an equipment failure, it’s more commonly related to an inadvertent loss […]
Sporty’s latest training course will help pilots earn a Commercial pilot certificate, an essential step on the way to a job as a flight instructor or an airline pilot. Like all Sporty’s courses, the Commercial Pilot Course includes access to multiple formats for the same low price: online, iPhone, iPad, Android, Apple TV and Roku. […]
So you’ve completed your Sporty’s home study course or received an endorsement from your CFI to take your FAA written test – now what? The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) utilizes a third-party testing provider, PSI Services, to administer all FAA written exams. PSI exams are available at a number of testing locations throughout the US […]
Learning to fly will unlock a world of possibilities and give you unparalleled freedom to see the world. It is a truly unique experience—one of the last great adventures in our modern life. It is challenging, rewarding and flat out fun! Join Sporty’s Academy Chief CFI, Eric Radtke, and Senior Director of Flight Training Education […]
Thinking of becoming a pilot? A surging demand for pilots, technological advancements, and access to modern learning resources make for an ideal time to begin your journey. The demand for professional pilots has never been greater. Recent data indicates that pilot certification changes and increased demand for air travel have had far-reaching industry effects.
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