Paul Jurgens, Author at Flight Training Central

About Paul Jurgens

Paul Jurgens is the Chief Instructor for Multiengine and Flight Instructor Refresher courses at Sporty's Academy. He holds a multiengine ATP certificate with a Cessna Citation type rating along with commercial privileges in single-engine land and sea airplanes, gliders, and hot air balloons. Chief Jurgens holds instructor ratings for single & multiengine airplanes, instrument airplanes, & gliders. He also has instructing privileges in hot air balloons by virtue of his commercial certificate.
In his role as VP of Safety, Security, and Compliance for Sporty's Academy, Chief Jurgens develops and maintains the necessary systems to fulfill that role. He also develops material which eventually becomes a part of the courseware used at Sporty's Academy and sold through Sporty's Pilot Shop.

Entries by Paul Jurgens

The Most Misunderstood Aerodynamic Concepts

June 30, 2025/in Tips and technique/by Paul Jurgens

Having at least a basic understanding of aerodynamics is important for all pilots and it will be evaluated on the practical exam for a certificate or rating. The further along a pilot is in their certificates, the more advanced their understanding of aerodynamics should be. Pilots should take the time to study this information and be prepared for the practical exam along with being prepared for flight situations that will test the application of their understanding.

Common Weather-Related Pitfalls Pilots Face and How to Navigate Them

June 2, 2025/in Tips and technique/by Paul Jurgens

With all of this affordable weather information available, you should have no excuse for not navigating the failure to stay updated pitfall. Even if you don’t have modern connectivity available to you, the old call to flight service or listening to AWOS and ATIS broadcasts along your route should still give you a basic picture of the weather.

Flight Training for Young Pilots: How to Start Flying Early

April 28, 2025/in Having fun, Tips and technique/by Paul Jurgens

If you are not a pilot or don’t have easy access to one, the EAA’s Young Eagles program may be an option for a free first flight if your child is 8-17. Your child will also receive several other free materials and opportunities through this program. You might also be able to book a flight experience with a local flight school or ride operator.

Class B Airspace—A Pilot’s Guide

November 4, 2024/in Tips and technique/by Paul Jurgens

Class B airspace begins at the surface in the area surrounding the primary airport. As you move further from the primary airport, layers or shelves that start above the surface will be found. The shape of the surface area and layers are tailored to the individual airport and the instrument approach corridors to its runways.

How to Interpret your FAA Written Test Report

September 2, 2024/in Tips and technique/by Paul Jurgens

Congratulations on passing your FAA Knowledge Test! You are further along your journey to your next certificate or rating. Now what? The FAA Written Test Report An Introduction to FAA Knowledge Test ACS Codes Reviewing Missed Topics with Your Flight Instructor FAA Written Test Report When you finished your test, the testing center issued you […]

Pilot’s Guide to the FAA WINGS Program

June 19, 2023/in Tips and technique/by Paul Jurgens

Pilots complete knowledge and flight activities to earn WINGS credits. When the appropriate credits have been earned and approved on the FAASafety.gov website or in the pilot’s logbook, a Basic phase of WINGS is earned.

Flying for youth

March 13, 2023/in Get Started, Having fun/by Paul Jurgens

As a flight instructor, I am often asked the question, “How old do you have to be to start learning to fly?”
The short answer to the question is that there is no minimum age for a child to begin learning to fly. The longer answer is a bit more complicated and I will attempt to discuss that here.

Best Glide Speed – Keep It Simple or Extract the Most Performance?

July 18, 2022/in Tips and technique/by Paul Jurgens

As a student pilot, before you even solo, your flight instructor will teach you the basic concept behind a speed known as Best Glide Speed. You will likely be taught that this is a speed that will allow you to cover the most distance in gliding flight. As expressed by many instructors and examiners, your Private Pilot certificate is a license to learn. Now that you have reached this milestone, it is time to go beyond the basics.

Is General Aviation Safe?

February 14, 2022/in Tips and technique/by Paul Jurgens

A question that prospective flight training students and their families may have about learning to fly is, “Is it safe?” A knowledgeable flight instructor should have a thoughtful and honest answer to this question, but it is not as cut and dried as you might think.

Being Safer on the Ground

August 30, 2021/in Tips and technique/by Paul Jurgens

When we think about safety in aviation, most people think about safety in the air. While being safe in the air is important, it is only part of the overall safety picture. The FAA often talks about Runway Safety as a hot button issue, but it really goes beyond just safety on the runway. It […]