The Vision Jet from Cirrus is the first single engine personal jet to be delivered in significant numbers, and it’s a unique blend of turbine performance and single engine simplicity. In many ways, it really feels like a bigger and faster SR22. You’ll get to go flying in one with this video, as the pilot flies from New York to Atlanta. See the startup sequence, watch the takeoff, and listen to all the ATC calls. It’s a real world look at a fascinating airplane.
Weather plays an important part in aviation and is something pilots must evaluate before every flight. In our latest video tip, we’ll take a look at the weather variables you should be evaluating when making the important go/no-go decision.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/05181826/Go-No-Go-HD-1080p-YT.jpg10801920studentpltnewshttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/17092615/FTC_Redesign_2025_WhiteRed_WEB.pngstudentpltnews2020-09-30 13:35:022021-06-08 19:22:45Video Tip: Weather and the Go/No-Go Decision
Election season brings Presidential TFRs on short notice
Election season is upon us which means a significant increase in presidential and vice-presidential travel and the temporary flight restriction (TFR) that follows.
A TFR is a regulatory action that temporarily restricts aircraft from operating within a defined area in order to protect people or property in the air or on the ground. TFRs are issued by NOTAM which underscores the importance of reviewing NOTAMs as part of your preflight activity. And if you have the benefit of receiving the ADS-B data en-route, you can also receive the information via the Flight Information Service (FIS) broadcast and even display TFR information on your EFB via your favorite app.
TFRs can be issued for a number of reasons including natural disasters, major sporting events and, of course, VIP travel. For security purposes. TFRs that follow the President and Vice President are typically issued only a few days in advance, but often times, intended destinations are known even further in advance. Therefore, while it’s important, as pilots, to stay apprised of NOTAMs and the issuance of TFRs, you may get more advanced warning by simply keeping watch of the local and national news.
Presidential TFRs usually consist of an outer ring of typically a 30nm radius (this can vary slightly to include or exclude a specific airport) and an inner ring typically a 10nm radius. Altitudes are typically from the surface to 17,999’ MSL (or the start of Class A airspace). The inner, 10nm ring is most restrictive and typically does not allow for any general aviation aircraft operations and can effectively close down airports that lie within this area for the duration of the TFR.
There are some limited exceptions to inner ring operations related to certain “gateway” airports that can be designated to give, primarily business aviation aircraft, the opportunity to be vetted and given permission to operate as well as TFR “cut-outs” to permit some particularly high-volume business aviation airports to remain open.
The outer, 30nm ring is less restrictive, but still requires permission via an IFR clearance and flight plan or, for a VFR aircraft transitioning the outer ring airspace, approval from the controlling ATC facility with an active VFR flight plan and a discrete transponder code. Operations are limited to aircraft arriving or departing local airports and aircraft must be squawking the discrete code prior to departure and at all times while in the TFR and must remain in two-way radio communications with ATC. In other words, aircraft can’t loiter or “hand-out” in the area.
In the case of Vice-Presidential travel, TFRs normally consist of a single 3nm ring with the same restrictions as the outer ring of a Presidential TFR meaning aircraft may transition with proper approval although airports hosting the Vice President will generally close at least for the time of VP arrival and departure.
Stadium TFRs
The start of NFL football also reminds us of another popular TFR – the “stadium TFR.” The blanket stadium TFR applies to all NFL venues and any sporting even venue with a capacity of at least 30,000 hosting NFL, Major League Baseball (MLB), NCAA division I football, NASCAR cup, Indy Car, or Champ Series race. Aircraft are prohibited from operating at 3,000’ AGL and below within 3nm of the venue.
Where to Find TFR Information
The official sources for TFR information are the FAA’s Graphic TFR web page and NOTAMs. Both will provide information regarding what TFRs are scheduled or are in effect. If you’re not utilizing an EFB to display stadium locations, venues are also available here.
While the NFL schedule should remain consistent, MLB is entering its playoff season which can make schedules less predictable.
FAA recently published its September edition of “What’s New in Airman Testing” advising of recent and upcoming changes affecting the airman testing process. In the most recent edition, FAA advises it’s reviewing and revising a number of its reference handbooks. Many of the updates are related to updating terminology on recommendations from industry working groups. Terminology updates will include the term “learner” as opposed to “student” as well as “flight deck” as opposed to “cockpit.”
Handbooks currently under revision (release dates TBD) include the Airplane Flying Handbook, Instrument Flying Handbook, and Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
Airman Knowledge Test Guides
FAA anticipates revising several Airman Knowledge Testing Supplements with an effective date of June 2021 including
FAA-CT-8080-2, Airman Knowledge Testing Supplement for Sport Pilot, Recreational Pilot, Remote Pilot, and Private Pilot
FAA-CT-8080-5, Airman Knowledge Testing Supplement for Flight Instructor, Ground Instructor, and Sport Pilot Instructor
New/Revised test question activation dates for 2020 are September 28 and December 28. Questions about Notice to Airmen Publications (NTAP) have been removed from all airman knowledge test banks. Other updates applicable to specific tests include:
Private Pilot – Questions about Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out were added effective March 30, 2020.
Commercial Pilot – Questions about Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out were added effective March 30, 2020.
Instrument Rating – Questions about FAA International Flight Plan have been added effective September 28, 2020.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/05171503/FAAtest.jpg10801620studentpltnewshttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/17092615/FTC_Redesign_2025_WhiteRed_WEB.pngstudentpltnews2020-09-24 09:48:332021-06-08 19:22:45What’s new in airman testing, September 2020
The FAA recently released a new animated scenario to its Runway Safety Pilot Simulator. This animation is installment three of a three part series focusing on causal factors for wrong surface events, such as incorrect runway or taxiway approaches, landings, or departures. Part three focuses on pilot training.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/05162500/active-runway-1.jpg10801920studentpltnewshttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/17092615/FTC_Redesign_2025_WhiteRed_WEB.pngstudentpltnews2020-09-22 15:23:592021-06-08 19:22:45New runway animation added to Runway Safety Pilot Simulator
Flying with friends is always more fun, but to safely fly in formation takes serious training and regular practice. Ride along with Matt Guthmiller in this video as he learns the finer points of flying mere feet from three other airplanes. It takes total concentration, but it’s also a blast.
Video: flying the Cirrus Vision Jet
/in Fun Flying Videos/by studentpltnewsThe Vision Jet from Cirrus is the first single engine personal jet to be delivered in significant numbers, and it’s a unique blend of turbine performance and single engine simplicity. In many ways, it really feels like a bigger and faster SR22. You’ll get to go flying in one with this video, as the pilot flies from New York to Atlanta. See the startup sequence, watch the takeoff, and listen to all the ATC calls. It’s a real world look at a fascinating airplane.
Video courtesy of CitationMax.
Video Tip: Weather and the Go/No-Go Decision
/in Video Tips/by studentpltnewsWeather plays an important part in aviation and is something pilots must evaluate before every flight. In our latest video tip, we’ll take a look at the weather variables you should be evaluating when making the important go/no-go decision.
https://youtu.be/BqhmRvLgz2Q
The video clip below is from Sporty’s complete Learn to Fly Course
Tips for navigating TFRs
/in Tips and technique/by studentpltnewsElection season brings Presidential TFRs on short notice
Election season is upon us which means a significant increase in presidential and vice-presidential travel and the temporary flight restriction (TFR) that follows.
A TFR is a regulatory action that temporarily restricts aircraft from operating within a defined area in order to protect people or property in the air or on the ground. TFRs are issued by NOTAM which underscores the importance of reviewing NOTAMs as part of your preflight activity. And if you have the benefit of receiving the ADS-B data en-route, you can also receive the information via the Flight Information Service (FIS) broadcast and even display TFR information on your EFB via your favorite app.
TFRs can be issued for a number of reasons including natural disasters, major sporting events and, of course, VIP travel. For security purposes. TFRs that follow the President and Vice President are typically issued only a few days in advance, but often times, intended destinations are known even further in advance. Therefore, while it’s important, as pilots, to stay apprised of NOTAMs and the issuance of TFRs, you may get more advanced warning by simply keeping watch of the local and national news.
Presidential TFRs usually consist of an outer ring of typically a 30nm radius (this can vary slightly to include or exclude a specific airport) and an inner ring typically a 10nm radius. Altitudes are typically from the surface to 17,999’ MSL (or the start of Class A airspace). The inner, 10nm ring is most restrictive and typically does not allow for any general aviation aircraft operations and can effectively close down airports that lie within this area for the duration of the TFR.
There are some limited exceptions to inner ring operations related to certain “gateway” airports that can be designated to give, primarily business aviation aircraft, the opportunity to be vetted and given permission to operate as well as TFR “cut-outs” to permit some particularly high-volume business aviation airports to remain open.
The outer, 30nm ring is less restrictive, but still requires permission via an IFR clearance and flight plan or, for a VFR aircraft transitioning the outer ring airspace, approval from the controlling ATC facility with an active VFR flight plan and a discrete transponder code. Operations are limited to aircraft arriving or departing local airports and aircraft must be squawking the discrete code prior to departure and at all times while in the TFR and must remain in two-way radio communications with ATC. In other words, aircraft can’t loiter or “hand-out” in the area.
In the case of Vice-Presidential travel, TFRs normally consist of a single 3nm ring with the same restrictions as the outer ring of a Presidential TFR meaning aircraft may transition with proper approval although airports hosting the Vice President will generally close at least for the time of VP arrival and departure.
Stadium TFRs
The start of NFL football also reminds us of another popular TFR – the “stadium TFR.” The blanket stadium TFR applies to all NFL venues and any sporting even venue with a capacity of at least 30,000 hosting NFL, Major League Baseball (MLB), NCAA division I football, NASCAR cup, Indy Car, or Champ Series race. Aircraft are prohibited from operating at 3,000’ AGL and below within 3nm of the venue.
Where to Find TFR Information
The official sources for TFR information are the FAA’s Graphic TFR web page and NOTAMs. Both will provide information regarding what TFRs are scheduled or are in effect. If you’re not utilizing an EFB to display stadium locations, venues are also available here.
While the NFL schedule should remain consistent, MLB is entering its playoff season which can make schedules less predictable.
To keep track of schedules
Major League Baseball
National Football League
NCAA Division I Football
NASCAR
What’s new in airman testing, September 2020
/in Tips and technique/by studentpltnewsHandbooks currently under revision (release dates TBD) include the Airplane Flying Handbook, Instrument Flying Handbook, and Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
Airman Knowledge Test Guides
FAA anticipates revising several Airman Knowledge Testing Supplements with an effective date of June 2021 including
The current editions of the Airman Knowledge Testing Supplements are available here.
FAA Airman Knowledge Tests
New/Revised test question activation dates for 2020 are September 28 and December 28. Questions about Notice to Airmen Publications (NTAP) have been removed from all airman knowledge test banks. Other updates applicable to specific tests include:
Read the complete notice here.
New runway animation added to Runway Safety Pilot Simulator
/in Uncategorized/by studentpltnewsThe FAA recently released a new animated scenario to its Runway Safety Pilot Simulator. This animation is installment three of a three part series focusing on causal factors for wrong surface events, such as incorrect runway or taxiway approaches, landings, or departures. Part three focuses on pilot training.
Video: learning formation flying
/in Fun Flying Videos/by studentpltnewsFlying with friends is always more fun, but to safely fly in formation takes serious training and regular practice. Ride along with Matt Guthmiller in this video as he learns the finer points of flying mere feet from three other airplanes. It takes total concentration, but it’s also a blast.
Video courtesy of Matt Guthmiller.