Video: Getting over Mic Fright

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What's the hardest part about learning to fly? Right after learning how to land, most pilots would say learning to talk on the radio. In the latest episode of AOPA's "Behind the Logbook" series, you'll fly along with two student pilots as they learn how to keep up with rapid fire ATC instructions. Step one: know what to expect!

Video: Flying a Cessna from Greenland to Iceland

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Crossing the Atlantic Ocean seems like an impossible task in a small airplane, but it really isn't. This week's fun flying video takes us to Greenland, to join three friends for a flight from remote Nuuk to Iceland. The scenery is incredible, the planning is intense, and the sense of accomplishment is hard to beat. And it's all done in a Cessna 210.
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7 little safety habits to consider

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Some aviation tips are in the "commandments" category: never run out of airspeed and ideas at the same time, never take off over gross weight, never fly below minimums on an instrument approach. Those are all true, but that doesn't mean there aren't other, smaller tips that can reduce risk. Here are five I try follow in the cockpit.

Video: Amazing helicopter landing spots

Why fly a helicopter if you're only going to land on an airport? In this incredible video, you'll get to fly around British Columbia with an experienced helicopter pilot as he visits some unusual helipads. From downtown, waterfront helipads to remote, mountaintop locations, the views are incredible and the freedom is unmatched.

Weather Video Tip: Microbursts and wind shear

Microbursts are one of aviation's top weather hazards, and the intensity of the wind shear can spell trouble for even the most powerful airplanes. In this tip we'll look at the weather variables that can cause a microburst, how to look for the warning signs and what to do should you encounter one.

Video: seaplane flying tips from Alaska

Seaplane flying is just about the most fun you can have in an airplane, but they are also incredibly useful tools - especially in Alaska. In this exclusive video, bush pilot Patrick Carter takes you along for some seaplane flying in remote lakes around Kodiak Island. You'll see some of the stunning Alaska scenery, and also learn some real world tips for seaplane flying.

Rusty Pilots – getting back in the left seat is easier than you think

If you're feeling a little rusty, you might be like more than 500,000 other pilots (that's right, half a million), who have taken a little breather from flying. Whatever the case, things are different now. You're back in the game and would like to start flying again. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) wants to help.

Video: backcountry airstrip landing in Indonesia

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You may practice short and soft field landings in your Cessna or Piper, but it's probably nothing like this. Fly along with Mission Aviation Fellowship pilot Daniel Geaslen in a Quest Kodiak turboprop to see what a truly short and soft runway looks like. He flies into Nalca in Papua, and explains how this seemingly crazy landing is actually very safe if you follow a few important rules. It's also another example of the amazing places general aviation can take you that no airline or car can.

Video: cloud surfing in an L-39 jet

Ever wonder what it's like to fly a fighter jet? In this fun video from FlightChops, you can strap into an L-39 jet trainer and find out. You'll get acquainted with the cockpit, then take off and climb through an overcast for a stunning view of the sky. Watch him do aerobatics from multiple angles, including the stick and the wingtip. The best part is, you don't have to be a specially-trained military pilot to fly one of these airplanes.

Webinar video: how to create a successful flight training plan

If you're learning to fly or thinking about it, the details can be overwhelming. How do you choose a flight school? How much does it cost to earn a pilot's license? How do you stay on schedule and on budget? In this detailed webinar recording, you'll get honest answers to these questions. Charlie Masters is an experienced flight instructor, and he offers his perspective on the ups and downs of flight training. JC Mayerle is a recently-licensed pilot, and he explains the process from the student pilot's perspective.