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
Struggling to decode your FAA Airman Knowledge Test Report? Sporty’s has introduced a free Knowledge Test ACS Code Analysis Tool, designed to instantly identify your deficient knowledge areas and help you focus your study efforts.
This powerful AI-driven feature is part of our Aviation Intelligence℠ (AI) tools, delivering a detailed breakdown of your missed FAA test questions in seconds. Simply upload a photo or scan of your written test report, and our AI will extract the relevant Airman Certification Standards (ACS) codes along with descriptions of the topics you need to review. No more flipping through pages of ACS documents—get instant clarity on where to focus your studies!
What Are Knowledge Test ACS Codes?
After completing an FAA knowledge test, the testing center issues an Airman Knowledge Test Report. Below your score, you’ll find a statement explaining the ACS codes, which correspond to the topics you missed. These codes indicate specific areas that need improvement before your checkride.
The Airman Certification Standards (ACS)
The ACS are the foundation of FAA knowledge and practical testing. Every missed question on your FAA test is linked to an ACS Code, which falls into one of three categories: (K)nowledge, (S)kill, or (R)isk Management codes.
The four elements of the coding system are:
PA.XI.A.K1
PA = (private pilot airplane) – identifies the applicable ACS
Previously, decoding these ACS codes required manually searching through ACS documents—a frustrating and time-consuming process. Sporty’s free Knowledge Test ACS Code Analysis Tool eliminates the hassle.
Here’s How It Works
1. Take a photo of your written test results.
2. Drop the photo into the free ACS code analysis tool within the Test Prep module of Sporty’s course.
3. Instantly receive a breakdown of your weak subject areas.
4. Use the results to create targeted study sessions or share them with your flight instructor for additional training.
This FAA knowledge test report decoder is available for Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, and Commercial Pilot airplane exams. The feature is available all existing course users in the course portal, but you don’t need to be a Sporty’s course customer—all you need is a free Sportys account! Register now at Sportys.com/courses.
See the test analysis in action here:
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/14140012/knowledge-test-analysis-tool.png10001250Eric Radtkehttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/05155154/FTC-logo-horizontal-fianl.pngEric Radtke2025-03-17 08:55:282025-03-14 15:03:49Instant FAA Knowledge Test ACS Code Analysis–Free from Sporty’s
Every year, AOPA holds the Flight Training Experience Awards to recognize CFIs and flight schools who have gone above and beyond in providing student pilots with exceptional learning experiences. Instructors and schools were invited to apply and to request reviews from their clients to support their nomination. Applications were then evaluated by a panel of industry experts. One CFI and one flight school among the six regional winners announced in January were chosen as national winners. The awards were announced on March 5 at the annual Redbird Migration in Denver.
Flight instructor regional honors went to Peg Ballou (Bucyrus, Ohio), Tiziano Bernard (Pooler, Georgia), Madison Nugent (Vienna, Virginia), Jacob Peery (Gilbert, Arizona), John Schaeffer (Willis, Texas) and Mike Smith (Napa, California). Tiziano Bernard was recognized as the Nation’s Best CFI.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/10130848/flight-training-experience-awards.png10001250Flight Training Central Staffhttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/05155154/FTC-logo-horizontal-fianl.pngFlight Training Central Staff2025-03-14 08:55:252025-03-10 13:09:20AOPA Names Nation’s Best Flight Schools and Instructors
Many high-performance airplanes take advantage of turbocharged engines, allowing cruise operations at higher altitudes into the flight levels. This video shows how these systems work, including the compressor and turbine components, intercooler, wastegate, and engine flight instruments.
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
Instant FAA Knowledge Test ACS Code Analysis–Free from Sporty’s
/in News/by Eric RadtkeKnowledge Test Code Analysis Simplified
Struggling to decode your FAA Airman Knowledge Test Report? Sporty’s has introduced a free Knowledge Test ACS Code Analysis Tool, designed to instantly identify your deficient knowledge areas and help you focus your study efforts.
This powerful AI-driven feature is part of our Aviation Intelligence℠ (AI) tools, delivering a detailed breakdown of your missed FAA test questions in seconds. Simply upload a photo or scan of your written test report, and our AI will extract the relevant Airman Certification Standards (ACS) codes along with descriptions of the topics you need to review. No more flipping through pages of ACS documents—get instant clarity on where to focus your studies!
What Are Knowledge Test ACS Codes?
After completing an FAA knowledge test, the testing center issues an Airman Knowledge Test Report. Below your score, you’ll find a statement explaining the ACS codes, which correspond to the topics you missed. These codes indicate specific areas that need improvement before your checkride.
The Airman Certification Standards (ACS)
The ACS are the foundation of FAA knowledge and practical testing. Every missed question on your FAA test is linked to an ACS Code, which falls into one of three categories: (K)nowledge, (S)kill, or (R)isk Management codes.
The four elements of the coding system are:
PA.XI.A.K1
Previously, decoding these ACS codes required manually searching through ACS documents—a frustrating and time-consuming process. Sporty’s free Knowledge Test ACS Code Analysis Tool eliminates the hassle.
Here’s How It Works
1. Take a photo of your written test results.
2. Drop the photo into the free ACS code analysis tool within the Test Prep module of Sporty’s course.
3. Instantly receive a breakdown of your weak subject areas.
4. Use the results to create targeted study sessions or share them with your flight instructor for additional training.
This FAA knowledge test report decoder is available for Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, and Commercial Pilot airplane exams. The feature is available all existing course users in the course portal, but you don’t need to be a Sporty’s course customer—all you need is a free Sportys account! Register now at Sportys.com/courses.
See the test analysis in action here:
AOPA Names Nation’s Best Flight Schools and Instructors
/in News/by Flight Training Central StaffFlight instructor regional honors went to Peg Ballou (Bucyrus, Ohio), Tiziano Bernard (Pooler, Georgia), Madison Nugent (Vienna, Virginia), Jacob Peery (Gilbert, Arizona), John Schaeffer (Willis, Texas) and Mike Smith (Napa, California). Tiziano Bernard was recognized as the Nation’s Best CFI.
Flight schools recognized as top in their region were Air Ventures Flying School (Smithfield, Rhode Island), Ballou Skies Aviation (Bucyrus, Ohio), Chennault Flying Service, Las Vegas, Nevada), Flex Air (San Diego, California), In the Pattern (Denton, Texas) and Sun City Aviation Academy (Pembroke Pines, Florida). In the Pattern was recognized as the Nation’s Top Flight School.
Additionally, dozens of CFIs and flight schools were recognized for distinguished performance. The full recipient list can be found here.
Airplane turbochargers explained for pilots (video lesson)
/in Video Tips/by Bret KoebbeMany high-performance airplanes take advantage of turbocharged engines, allowing cruise operations at higher altitudes into the flight levels. This video shows how these systems work, including the compressor and turbine components, intercooler, wastegate, and engine flight instruments.
This video tip is from Sporty’s Commercial Pilot Training Course. Video training, test prep, checkride prep and more.