Video tip: Pilot’s Guide to BasicMed

If you’ve held a valid medical certificate at any point after July 14, 2006, you may never have to see an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) again under the BasicMed rule. This week's video takes a look at how the BasicMed program works, its limitations and the steps you need to take to keep your BasicMed status current.

Hey Rusty Pilot – make your next flight more meaningful by practicing this

Judge your improvement on the quality of your “bad” landings.  And practice under a variety of conditions (wind, configuration, time of day, etc.) to better hone your visual cues and mastery of the airplane. A safety pilot or instructor may see elements not as obvious to the pilot flying.

Getting current with a full time job – can it be done?

The thought of taking on flight lessons while maintaining a 40+ hour work week can be daunting. Do not be deterred! There is a path to knocking the rust off while still paying the bills.

Airspace Operating Requirements for Pilots

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The U.S. airspace system is divided into different classes of airspace that extend horizontally and vertically, based on various factors. Learn more about what is required to operate in each class of controlled and uncontrolled airspace in our latest interactive scenario.
Fuel gauges

Managing common aviation risks

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The unforgiving nature of aviation has serious consequences, consequences we should remember every time we enter the cockpit. If we're unrealistic about our new year's resolution, it probably won’t hurt us.

Video tip: get a “big picture” weather briefing

Checking the weather is one of the few constants in aviation. All pilots do it, whether it’s a trip around the pattern in a Cub or a trip across the Atlantic in a Gulfstream. But merely getting a weather briefing isn’t enough; it has to be a good weather briefing to make the flight safer. So what exactly does a “good briefing” involve?

Webinar video: Flight Review – tips for getting current

Hear insightful tips on knocking off the aviation rust and regaining your pilot currency. Topics include medical requirements, regulations, weather, flight planning, technology and procedures that may have changed from your last flight review. Plus hear ideas for maintaining currency and getting involved in the aviation community.

Webinar video: aviation headsets

Join Doug Ranly as he demystifies the world of aviation headsets, shares what's new, and highlights the features important to you. When you're ready to purchase your headset, visit Sporty's interactive buyers guide and see a complete lineup of headsets available for sale.

10 tips to get the most out of each flight lesson

Learning to fly an airplane should be a fun and enjoyable process, but you need to have a game plan to ensure that your flight training proceeds smoothly and efficiently. Here are 10 tips to help you get the most out of each lesson.

My experience as a rusty pilot

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People who could fly airplanes had an elite reputation in my mind; one that seemed too far-fetched for me to consider. So my teenage years were filled with school, sports, and summer jobs outside occasionally interrupted by the distinct hum of an engine passing overhead.