What the ATC controller sees – tech in the tower

You'll find that it's helpful to have a good understanding of the air traffic system from the controller's perspective. Understanding the technology involved will not only make you feel more comfortable working with ATC but will also allow you to fully take advantage of all the services and information they have to offer.

Video: tailwheel training in a Citabria

For a new pilot, tailwheel airplanes may seem intimidating and downright difficult to fly. After a little training, though, it becomes clear that they're still just airplanes - they simply require a little more attention on the rudder pedals and some practice. In this video, you'll get to see a pilot on his first tailwheel training flight. Watch him practice landings from inside and outside the cockpit, and hear the instructor's helpful advice. After watching this, it's easy to see why tailwheel airplanes are so addictive.

First flight training app for Apple TV released

Over the past 6 years we've seen aviation apps for just about every Apple platform, including iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. Earlier this year, Sporty's released a new Learn to Fly Course app for AppleTV, which is available now in the AppleTV app store.

Video: VFR into Class B airspace in a Cirrus

Class B airspace and busy international airports may be intimidating for new pilots, but there's no reason general aviation pilots can't use them just like the airlines. In this video, ride along in a Cirrus SR22 as the pilot flies VFR into San Francisco International Airport at night. You'll hear all the communications with Approach and Tower, and see some beautiful views of the Bay Area along the way. With a little training and some good communication skills, flights like this are pretty easy.

Legacy Navigation Systems

Today, many pilots navigate using GPS as their primary navigation source. There are older navigation systems such as NDB and VOR that continue to have a place in today's National Airspace System (NAS) but whose prominence is beginning to fade. I am calling these legacy navigation systems and the point of this post is to explain what is happening to them.

Video: seaplane flying in Canada

Seaplanes aren't just for fun - in Canada they are the only way to reach some remote locations. In this video, you'll fly in one for a series of takeoffs and landings in northern Ontario. Even better, the airplane is a de Havilland Beaver, an iconic bush plane still widely used in Alaska and Canada. Watch the airplane move from plow to "on the step" to takeoff, from both inside and outside the cockpit. And yes, sometimes the only way to dock a seaplane is to paddle your way there.