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Many new pilots regard Air Traffic Controllers with a mix of respect and fear. So it’s only natural that we trust them and want to follow their instructions no matter what. But as Ben Franklin famously said, “It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority.”
Earlier this week, I was talking to a few students from my Fundamentals of Instructing class about a presentation that they have to do for my class. The presentation requires the students to teach an individually assigned maneuver to the rest of the class while evaluators judge their performance. As we discussed these presentations and […]
The pending closure of 149 contract control towers as a result of the FAA’s sequestration plan has brought the issue (or non-issue) of non-towered airport operations to the forefront. For those of you training at a non-towered airport, or as I prefer to call it, a pilot-controlled airport, these operations are simply what you know. […]
All too often I see excited pilots after they’ve earned their license with big plans to put it to good use. Maybe they want to take business trips to make work more efficient, or perhaps they learned to fly to vacation at more remote destinations. Unfortunately, what’s also common are busy schedules that interfere while time begins […]
Comedian Ron White has a famous stand-up routine where he explains that modern plastic surgery can “fix” almost any perceived flaw with the human body. From butt lifts to tummy tucks, nose jobs to hair replacement, whatever we want bigger, smaller, shifted or enhanced, surgeons (for a price) can fix it. Then he makes his […]
I spend a great deal of time talking with prospective students each day who are searching the area for a flight school. Although each student is unique, those who have done their homework and know what they are looking for generally ask the same types of questions. Those who have done little to prepare for […]
During flight training most pilots get accustomed to filling the fuel tanks all the way up before each flight. As you begin to fly larger airplanes you’ll soon learn that topping off the tanks is more the exception than the norm.
We all want to be safe pilots–that’s emphasized from day one of flight training, and for good reason. But after we’ve completed our first solo and gained some confidence, it’s time to raise the standard beyond just safe flying. What your passengers will judge you on is how smooth you are.
As I’m sure you’re aware, your pilot certification is a multi-step process that will include a written testing component – similar to earning your driver’s license. The purpose of the written test is to establish that you’ve obtained a satisfactory base level of knowledge before you can embark on a practical exam (oral and flight […]
Flight training, as you might expect, is a highly regulated activity. Flight instructors must be trained and certificated to a specific level. Flight schools can fall under further regulatory requirements. Most airport personnel having contact with students and the students themselves fall under regulations defined by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). As a budding student […]
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