checkride

Excuses to Proceed with a Checkride (You Probably Shouldn’t be Using)

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If you do proceed forward with a test with any of these or other handicaps already identified, you will get a fair shake from a DPE. However, they can’t stretch the standards because of conditions or circumstances. You will have to perform to the same standards despite any outside pressures as you would if you did it on a day when these pressures were not present.
ils critical area

Ask a CFI: What is an ILS critical area and when should I hold short?

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The critical area for the instrument landing system is located near the ILS antenna array, where an airplane on the ground (or vehicle) in that space could interfere with the radio signals for airplanes flying an ILS instrument approach. An ILS consists of two separate facilities that operate independently but come together in the cockpit to enable both lateral and vertical precision guidance.

Video tip: How thunderstorms develop

Thunderstorms can cause considerable aircraft damage on the ground and in flight. Even airlines take extra precautions to divert around convective activity for the comfort of the passengers and the safety of the flight. In this week's video tip, you'll learn the three conditions necessary for the formation of a thunderstorm. A thorough understanding of how and when thunderstorms develop will allow you to plan your flight to avoid dangerous weather.

Quiz: How Does The Body React To Flight?

Do you know how the human body will react when exposed to the…
two pilots in cockpit

New human factor courses available at FAASafety.gov

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The course modules focus on safety culture, human performance, communication, teamwork, situational awareness, decision making, threat and error management, human information processing, and design and automation and are eligible for credit in the WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program.

How to recover from an airplane spin, with Patty Wagstaff

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While spin training is only required for new flight instructor candidates, pilots of all skill levels should still know the steps and control inputs to recover from a spin. Join Patty Wagstaff in her Super Decathlon aerobatic airplane, as she first explains what an airplane spin is, and then the proper spin recovery steps to return to straight and level flight.

Pilot’s Guide to Class E Airspace

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Class E airspace is often confusing because it's not clearly depicted on the sectional chart but it’s crucial to understand its boundaries
computer test

June 2024 test question update from Sporty’s

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Sporty's recently released its June written test question update in its 2024 Learn to Fly Course test preparation module. While the FAA does not publish actual test questions, representative test questions are available, and new questions released by Sporty's represent emphasis areas which you will likely enounter on the test.

How to perform a self-weather briefing for an IFR flight (video tip)

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The FAA encourages pilots to use the self-briefing technique when checking the weather before each flight. In this video, we'll highlight various sources of weather products you can use and how to ensure you always get a complete briefing.

Eights on Pylons: Sporty’s Commercial Flight Maneuver Spotlight

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There are several new flight maneuvers to learn during Commercial Pilot Training. One of the new ground reference maneuvers is called Eights on Pylons, which involves flying a figure 8 pattern over the ground while varying the aircraft’s altitude in order to maintain a defined visual reference to preselected reference points, called pivot points, or pylons.