Not every approach and landing will be by the book during your training, and you’ll inevitably encounter situations when you round out too high, overshoot the touchdown point or bounce after the initial touchdown. This is perfectly normal and learning how to recover from these scenarios will improve your confidence and help you make better landings in the long run.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/02094734/Bounced-landing-video-tip.jpg10001250Bret Koebbehttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/05155154/FTC-logo-horizontal-fianl.pngBret Koebbe2025-04-02 09:00:302025-04-02 09:49:47Pilot technique video: How to recover from a bounced landing
Each year, the Redbird State of Flight Training Survey provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of flight training, and the 2025 report brings some welcome stability. Despite ongoing discussions about the cost and time required to earn a pilot certificate, this year’s data shows that both remain largely unchanged from previous years. The survey results confirm that training expenses have stabilized, and the time needed to complete a Private pilot certification continues to hold steady, providing predictability for students and instructors alike.
What’s it cost to earn a Private pilot cerificate?
About $14,000 is the median cost to earn a Private license according to the survey. That’s even with 2023 and up 12% from 2022.
How about an Instrument Rating? The median cost in 2024 was $12,750. That’s a 6% increase from 2023 and a 34% increase from 2022.
A Commercial certificate cost $28,000 in 2024 which is down 3% from 2023 and up about 6% from 2022.
The media per hour cost for a training aircraft in 2024 was $180 and the median cost of a line CFI was $65/hour.
How long does it take to earn a certificate?
According to the survey, 24 weeks (about 6 months) is the median length of time to earn a Private license. That’s even with 2023 and down a month from 2022.
An Instrument Rating took 16 weeks (about 4 months) in 2024 versus 18 weeks (4.5 months) in 2022 and 2023.
The median length of time to earn a Commercial certificate was 28 weeks (4.5 months) which is up by 2 weeks on 2023 and down by 2 weeks on 2022.
What are the current checkride pass rates?
First-time pass rates in 2024 as reported by flight training organizations was 86%. DPEs reported a first-time pass rate of 76% in the survey.
The 2025 State of Flight Training Survey can be downloaded at RedBirdFlight.com.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/22103907/state-of-flight-training-results.png10001250Eric Radtkehttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/05155154/FTC-logo-horizontal-fianl.pngEric Radtke2025-03-28 08:55:392025-03-28 09:48:55Redbird’s 2025 Flight Training Survey: Costs and Completion Time Hold Steady
Convective hazards remain a top consideration for pilots when making the go/no-go decision. The week’s tip looks at the Convective Outlook chart, which provides both short and long-term planning guidance for determining the location and intensity of thunderstorm activity.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/26164655/convective-outlook-feature.jpg10001250Bret Koebbehttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/05155154/FTC-logo-horizontal-fianl.pngBret Koebbe2025-03-26 12:00:032025-03-26 16:50:43How pilots can use Convective Outlook weather charts to avoid thunderstorms
Welcome to the latest edition of the Flight Maneuver Spotlight series. Here we’ll highlight the various maneuvers you’ll practice during your flight training and be expected to demonstrate during your checkride.
Each maneuver is part of Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course and includes a narrated video animation, along with step-by-step instructions that include performance standards and common errors. Study them while on the ground or print them for quick reference in the airplane.
These step-by-step instructions are from Sporty’s Complete Learn to Fly Course, which includes 15 hours of HD video that demonstrates how to fly each maneuver.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/16124056/TRAFFIC-PATTERN-ENTRY-FLIGHT-MANEUVER.png10001250Flight Training Central Staffhttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/05155154/FTC-logo-horizontal-fianl.pngFlight Training Central Staff2025-03-24 08:55:452025-03-16 12:41:09Flight Maneuver Spotlight: Traffic Pattern Entry Procedures
The VFR Mastery Series from PilotWorkshops is an innovative online training program designed to enhance the skills and decision-making abilities of pilots flying VFR. It offers real-world scenarios that challenge pilots to think critically and apply their aeronautical knowledge to make safe and informed decisions during flight.
In this sample VFR Mastery Scenario, A Swift Decision, you received an extensive checkout in a Globe Swift five years ago when you bought the airplane. During the checkout, and as part of your pre-takeoff briefing, you considered scenarios for an engine failure after takeoff at a variety of altitudes. A pre-takeoff briefing exists to remove hesitation and doubt from split-second emergency decisions after takeoff. The problem is that most real-world departures present several opportunities to go off script. Some of those improvisations could turn an off-field crash into an uneventful runway landing—or a disaster.
Step 1: Watch the overview
Step 2: Review the resources
The pilot is then faced with a decision—and this is when you’re asked what you would do in that situation. You have access to the same information the pilot has in the resources, such as the weather, charts, and even the view ahead at decision time.
Click on the image to view additional resources to help you evaluate your options are available here:
Step 3: Make your choice
Now make your choice, and see what other pilots would choose.
Step 4: Learn from an expert
Subscribers to the VFR Mastery scenarios can continue to an audio recording of a roundtable discussion where five additional experts offer their opinions on the best choice. And it’s rare that all the experts agree (although one might agree with your choice). The highlights from these roundtables are compiled for each scenario for anyone without time that month to play the whole thing. Subscribers can continue the discussion among themselves along with the experts in a dedicated forum and have access to quizzes as well as all previous scenarios.
If you are interested in learning more or subcribing to VFR Mastery scenarios from PilotWorkshops, click the banner below and begin your free trial.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/10110232/vfr-mastery-swift-decision.png10001250Pilot Workshopshttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/05155154/FTC-logo-horizontal-fianl.pngPilot Workshops2025-03-21 08:55:172025-03-14 15:03:28Engine Failure After Takeoff—What Would You Do?
Take the time to compute the total weight of the airplane and center of gravity (CG) before every flight, based on the number of occupants, baggage and fuel and where each item is positioned in the airplane. This week’s tip takes a look at how to compute a typical weight and balance calculation and how to verify the results are within limits.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/19103907/Weight-and-Balance-video-tip.jpg10001250Bret Koebbehttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/05155154/FTC-logo-horizontal-fianl.pngBret Koebbe2025-03-19 10:10:012025-03-19 10:46:33How to calculate airplane weight and balance: Pilot video tutorial
Pilot technique video: How to recover from a bounced landing
/in Video Tips/by Bret KoebbeNot every approach and landing will be by the book during your training, and you’ll inevitably encounter situations when you round out too high, overshoot the touchdown point or bounce after the initial touchdown. This is perfectly normal and learning how to recover from these scenarios will improve your confidence and help you make better landings in the long run.
The video clip below is from Sporty’s 2025 Learn to Fly Course
Redbird’s 2025 Flight Training Survey: Costs and Completion Time Hold Steady
/in Getting Started, News/by Eric RadtkeEach year, the Redbird State of Flight Training Survey provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of flight training, and the 2025 report brings some welcome stability. Despite ongoing discussions about the cost and time required to earn a pilot certificate, this year’s data shows that both remain largely unchanged from previous years. The survey results confirm that training expenses have stabilized, and the time needed to complete a Private pilot certification continues to hold steady, providing predictability for students and instructors alike.
What’s it cost to earn a Private pilot cerificate?
About $14,000 is the median cost to earn a Private license according to the survey. That’s even with 2023 and up 12% from 2022.
How about an Instrument Rating? The median cost in 2024 was $12,750. That’s a 6% increase from 2023 and a 34% increase from 2022.
A Commercial certificate cost $28,000 in 2024 which is down 3% from 2023 and up about 6% from 2022.
The media per hour cost for a training aircraft in 2024 was $180 and the median cost of a line CFI was $65/hour.
How long does it take to earn a certificate?
According to the survey, 24 weeks (about 6 months) is the median length of time to earn a Private license. That’s even with 2023 and down a month from 2022.
An Instrument Rating took 16 weeks (about 4 months) in 2024 versus 18 weeks (4.5 months) in 2022 and 2023.
The median length of time to earn a Commercial certificate was 28 weeks (4.5 months) which is up by 2 weeks on 2023 and down by 2 weeks on 2022.
What are the current checkride pass rates?
First-time pass rates in 2024 as reported by flight training organizations was 86%. DPEs reported a first-time pass rate of 76% in the survey.
The 2025 State of Flight Training Survey can be downloaded at RedBirdFlight.com.
How pilots can use Convective Outlook weather charts to avoid thunderstorms
/in Video Tips/by Bret KoebbeConvective hazards remain a top consideration for pilots when making the go/no-go decision. The week’s tip looks at the Convective Outlook chart, which provides both short and long-term planning guidance for determining the location and intensity of thunderstorm activity.
The video clip below is from Sporty’s 2025 Learn to Fly Course
Flight Maneuver Spotlight: Traffic Pattern Entry Procedures
/in Flight Maneuvers/by Flight Training Central StaffWelcome to the latest edition of the Flight Maneuver Spotlight series. Here we’ll highlight the various maneuvers you’ll practice during your flight training and be expected to demonstrate during your checkride.
Each maneuver is part of Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course and includes a narrated video animation, along with step-by-step instructions that include performance standards and common errors. Study them while on the ground or print them for quick reference in the airplane.
These step-by-step instructions are from Sporty’s Complete Learn to Fly Course, which includes 15 hours of HD video that demonstrates how to fly each maneuver.
Engine Failure After Takeoff—What Would You Do?
/in Video Tips/by Pilot WorkshopsThe VFR Mastery Series from PilotWorkshops is an innovative online training program designed to enhance the skills and decision-making abilities of pilots flying VFR. It offers real-world scenarios that challenge pilots to think critically and apply their aeronautical knowledge to make safe and informed decisions during flight.
In this sample VFR Mastery Scenario, A Swift Decision, you received an extensive checkout in a Globe Swift five years ago when you bought the airplane. During the checkout, and as part of your pre-takeoff briefing, you considered scenarios for an engine failure after takeoff at a variety of altitudes. A pre-takeoff briefing exists to remove hesitation and doubt from split-second emergency decisions after takeoff. The problem is that most real-world departures present several opportunities to go off script. Some of those improvisations could turn an off-field crash into an uneventful runway landing—or a disaster.
Step 1: Watch the overview
Step 2: Review the resources
The pilot is then faced with a decision—and this is when you’re asked what you would do in that situation. You have access to the same information the pilot has in the resources, such as the weather, charts, and even the view ahead at decision time.
Click on the image to view additional resources to help you evaluate your options are available here:
Step 3: Make your choice
Now make your choice, and see what other pilots would choose.
Step 4: Learn from an expert
Subscribers to the VFR Mastery scenarios can continue to an audio recording of a roundtable discussion where five additional experts offer their opinions on the best choice. And it’s rare that all the experts agree (although one might agree with your choice). The highlights from these roundtables are compiled for each scenario for anyone without time that month to play the whole thing. Subscribers can continue the discussion among themselves along with the experts in a dedicated forum and have access to quizzes as well as all previous scenarios.
If you are interested in learning more or subcribing to VFR Mastery scenarios from PilotWorkshops, click the banner below and begin your free trial.
How to calculate airplane weight and balance: Pilot video tutorial
/in Video Tips/by Bret KoebbeTake the time to compute the total weight of the airplane and center of gravity (CG) before every flight, based on the number of occupants, baggage and fuel and where each item is positioned in the airplane. This week’s tip takes a look at how to compute a typical weight and balance calculation and how to verify the results are within limits.
The video clip below is from Sporty’s 2025 Learn to Fly Course