Entries by John Zimmerman

How to Succeed at Flight Training Later in Life

Learning to fly isn’t easy, but it’s not supposed to be—that’s why it’s so rewarding when you earn that certificate. Acknowledge up front that you will have both good and bad days during training, and don’t beat yourself up after every mistake. I like to take a two week moving average of my performance, which prevents me from getting too high after a great lesson or too low after a really bad one.

Silent Threat: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Risks for Pilots

Cold weather can mean better airplane performance and some beautiful winter sunrises, but it can also mean potential danger from the airplane’s exhaust manifold heating system. In the small, unpressurized cabins of general aviation aircraft, any CO that enters the cabin can quickly reach a significant and dangerous concentration.

What’s new in Sporty’s 2024 Pilot Training Courses

Sporty’s courses are famous for a relentless pace of innovation; every year, we add new content, new training tools, and new platforms. This year is no exception, with a number of significant upgrades that make training more engaging and more efficient. Here’s a look at some highlights.

The 7 deadly sins of radio communications

Nobody wants to sound bad in front of the “audience” of your fellow pilots. But there are a few things that can instantly make you sound less professional–let’s call them the 7 deadly sins of radio communication. These phrases should not be in your aviation vocabulary.