Pilot’s Guide to BasicMed

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BasicMed is an alternate way for pilots to fly without holding an FAA medical certificate as long as they meet certain requirements. To fly under BasicMed, pilots must print off a FAA Form 8700-2; BasicMed Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist (CMEC) and get your physical exam with a state-licensed physician.

My first solo flight

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Well, here goes nothing. Full throttle, airspeed is alive, rotation at 55 knots and climb out at 74 knots. I turn crosswind, then downwind, and base. My turn to final is a little wide so I corrected back onto the extended centerline for runway 22 for a descent, but safe landing. I did it! FIRST SOLO! I could not help but smile and be proud of myself. What a rush! The feeling is incredible.

Flying the Airport Traffic Pattern (Interactive Scenario)

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All airports rely on a traffic pattern to allow for the efficient sequencing of both departing and arriving airplanes. Test your knowledge of these arrival and departure flows in our latest interactive scenario, by reading the traffic pattern direction and runway assignment and dragging the airplane to the correct colored path.
afta

AOPA Flight Training Advantage offers a unique, modern approach to flight training

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AOPA Flight Training Advantage (AFTA) is an adaptive flight training system that offers a fresh alternative and replacement to a traditional syllabus. AFTA automatically generates individualized lessons based on student performance so each lesson is unique to your training needs. And the system can be accessed online or via a dedicated iPad/iPhone app.

Ground reference maneuvers with Spencer Suderman (episode 2)

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In this episode, Spencer demonstrates how to fly several of the common ground reference maneuvers, including turns around a point and the rectangular course. Not only will these help you learn to better control the airplane while compensating for the effects of the wind, but they'll help you fly a better traffic pattern when returning to land after each flight.

Your first flight lesson – a video preview

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Getting into the air and taking your first flight is the most important—and most enjoyable—step you can take in your journey. There’s nothing like your first takeoff in an airplane to show you the fun and freedom of flying. If you’re on the fence about learning to fly, go take a first lesson!
aerodynamics

Quiz: Basic Aircraft Aerodynamics

As much as it seems sometimes that airplanes fly by magic, it's important for every pilot to understand at least the basic fundamentals of aerodynamics. These principles dictate not only how the aircraft stays aloft, but what makes it either stable or unstable.

High Wing or Low Wing – Which Trainer Should I Choose?

Regardless if your flight school rents Warriors or Skyhawks, Evektors or Pipistrels, learning to fly will be largely the same. Both low wing and high wing aircraft will be affected by lift, weight, thrust and drag.

Video: choosing a flight school

In the fourth and final video in the series, we offer some tips for choosing the right flight school.

What should you consider before beginning your flight training

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Flight training is much different than learning how to drive a car. Yes, you will earn a certificate stating that you’re capable of operating a means of transportation, but a pilot certificate is much more nuanced and, in many cases, will take longer with a more significant time and monetary investment. Beyond time and money, there are many more elements to consider before beginning training. These are five topics that I always like to discuss with potential flight students to help build a plan for success.