Flight maneuver spotlight: power-off stalls

You'll learn how to intentionally stall the airplane during your flight training so that you can recognize the sights, sounds and how the controls feel as you approach critically slow airspeeds. Equally as important, you'll learn how to quickly recover in the event you inadvertently reach a stalled condition in flight.

Video: flying around the Bahamas in a Bonanza

There's a reason the islands of the Bahamas are on so many pilots' wish lists: it's an easy flight from the southeast US, the scenery is amazing, airports are everywhere, and the people are friendly. Fly with Matt Guthmiller in this video, as he takes his Beech Bonanza to a number of islands, including Bimini, Eleuthera, Norman's Cay and more. This is fun flying at its very best.

My first passenger flight experience

After you earn your license, there’s a feeling of freedom.…

Video: bush pilot picnic in Alaska

When the weather is good, it's hard to beat flying in Alaska. In this week's fun flying video, ride along with Chris Palmer from Angle of Attack to see just how much fun you can have with a Cessna 170, a gravel runway and a group of pilots. They enjoy a "bush pilot picnic" before fly over some gorgeous glaciers on the way back. And all of this with just a Private Pilot license and a Cessna.

Video: flying mom and dad to Key West

This week's fun flying video combines two memorable flights in one. The first is taking your parents for their first flight in a small airplane, which is a fun way to show off your hard-earned pilot skills. Even better is making that first flight in a Cessna 172 to Key West, Florida. The scenic flight over the turquoise waters to an island paradise is a great example of the fun you can have in an airplane.

5 steps to ensure a happy family flight

General aviation (GA) created two more days of vacation, relaxation and memories. In my opinion, the only option for making the 600+ mile journey feasible in a week’s time was by air. Yes, GA can be a realistic, cost-effective travel tool and I live it. It begins with a good plan and the right expectations.

Video: sunset flight over Martha’s Vineyard

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Island flying is a lot of fun, but that doesn't have to mean just the Bahamas. In this video, three airplanes take off at sunset for a beautiful flight around Martha's Vineyard, which is just 15 miles off the coast of Massachusetts. Watch the sun set over the water and hear the communications between the airplanes as they fly down the shoreline.

Flight maneuver spotlight: emergency approach and landing

You need to react thoughtfully and quickly in the event the engine quits or you experience an unexpected loss of power. This week's tip covers a series of memory items to complete to try to restart the engine, and then what to do if a forced landing becomes necessary.

Video: Hudson River Corridor flight

It's a flight that almost seems impossible to pilots from outside the US: you can fly a general aviation airplane right down the New York skyline, VFR, with no flight plan. Definitely a bucket list flight for any pilot. In this video, you can see the spectacular views and hear the busy communications as a Cirrus flies down the Hudson River Corridor. It's not as hard as you might think, but some preparation certainly does help.

Webinar video: how to pass your check ride

The check ride is the culmination of months of work, when you get to show an FAA designated examiner all that you've learned - and hopefully end up as a certificated pilot. But the check ride can also be stressful, so preparing for it only makes sense. In this fascinating webinar recording, you'll hear from Jason Blair, an examiner with years of experience conducting check rides. He offers tips about how to prepare for the big day, what the examiner is looking for, and why a few small mistakes doesn't have to ruin your whole day.