$5,000 first place and $2,500 second place awards for pilots up to age 24
The writer must be a pilot who is 24 years of age or younger. The article must be original and no longer than 1,500 words. The topic should be “my most memorable flight.”
The Richard Collins family has once again partnered with Sporty’s to offer The Richard Collins Writing Prize for Young Pilots. To qualify, the writer must be a pilot (including student pilot) who is 24 years of age or younger. The article must be original, not previously published, and no longer than 1,500 words. The topic should be “my most memorable flight.”
The winning articles will be published in Air Facts, the publication Richard’s father, Leighton, founded in 1938 and which was relaunched in 2011 by Sporty’s as an online magazine. The articles will be judged by a panel of three: Richard Collins, Jr., Amy Laboda, and J. Mac McClellan.
“Since launching this contest in 2019, the Collins Prize has encouraged hundreds of young pilots to reflect upon their aviation experiences and pursue their passion for writing,” said Sporty’s President, John Zimmerman. “We’re honored to celebrate Richard’s legacy with this inspiring writing contest.”
Once again two prizes will be awarded. Both the first place and second place articles will be published in Air Facts, while their writers will receive $5,000 for first place and $2,500 for second place. The winners will be announced in April.
Articles may be submitted now through March 7, 2025, and sent to [email protected]. In addition, young pilots are required to submit a 100-word biography to accompany their articles.
Official Rules for the Richard Collins Writing Prize for Young Pilots
To submit an article, the author must be no older than 24 years of age as of March 7, 2025. The author must be a student pilot or higher.
The article should highlight the author’s most memorable flight and be no longer than 1500 words.
The article must be original and have not been previously published.
The submission must include a 100-word biography of the author written in the third person.
The article must be submitted as a Word document and emailed no later than March 7, 2025, to [email protected]. Only emailed submissions are accepted. Please put “Young Pilot” in the subject line of your email.
Once a submission is received, no corrections or editing are allowed.
Photographs to illustrate the article are accepted but not required.
One first place winner will be awarded $5,000; one second place winner will be awarded $2,500.
All winners will be notified by email in early April 2025
The winning articles will be published in Air Facts. Although there are only two prizes, Air Facts reserves the right to publish any article submitted.
Checklist for Young Pilot Authors
Does my article have a title?
Have I included my byline (by John Smith) below the title?
Is my article 1500 words or less?
Is my article about general aviation flying, specifically my most memorable flight?
Have I carefully proofread my article and/or asked a pilot-friend to proofread it as well? (Remember that once your article is submitted, no changes will be accepted.)
Have I included a 100-word bio of myself at the conclusion of my article and labeled it as such?
Have I typed “Young Pilot” in the subject line of my email?
If you answered yes to all these questions, you are ready to press SEND! Good luck to all young pilots.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/10115909/collins-writing-prize.png10001250Flight Training Central Staffhttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/05155154/FTC-logo-horizontal-fianl.pngFlight Training Central Staff2025-01-24 08:55:062025-01-10 11:59:49Sporty’s Air Facts Launches the 2025 Richard Collins Writing Prize for Young Pilots
Night is simply one of the best times to fly–the air is smooth, the airport isn’t as busy and the view out the window is incredible. This week’s video takes a closer look at night flying and some best practices to follow to ensure your next flight in the dark is as safe as it enjoyable.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/22105720/Night-Flying.jpg10001250Bret Koebbehttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/05155154/FTC-logo-horizontal-fianl.pngBret Koebbe2025-01-22 09:30:522025-01-22 10:59:06Video Tip: Flying at night
Sporty’s Flight Maneuver Spotlight series highlights the various maneuvers you’ll practice during your flight training experience and be expected to demonstrate on your checkride.
The Rectangular Course maneuver is part of Sporty’s 2025 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.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/10135137/rectangular-course.png10001250Flight Training Central Staffhttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/05155154/FTC-logo-horizontal-fianl.pngFlight Training Central Staff2025-01-20 08:55:002025-01-10 13:52:48Rectangular Course—Sporty’s Flight Maneuver Spotlight
Six $5,000 scholarships split between three categories
Sheltair and Avfuel are investing in the aviation community by providing meaningful financial support to aviators pursuing a greater commitment to aviation.
The Sheltair and Avfuel Future Takes Flight Scholarships provide $30,000 in educational funds annually. This year the program will award six, $5,000 scholarships across three categories: two for learning to fly or advanced pilot ratings; two for aviation technicians; and two for continuing education.
Scholarships in the learning to fly or advanced pilot ratings category can be used for coursework or flight lessons for students pursuing their private pilot certificate, adding a rating (instrument, multiengine, or others), adding to their certificate with a Commercial or ATP, and more.
Complete applications are due by 11:59 p.m. EDT on August 31, 2025. For more information, visit AvFuel.com.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/06110723/future-takes-flight-scholarship.png10001250Flight Training Central Staffhttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/05155154/FTC-logo-horizontal-fianl.pngFlight Training Central Staff2025-01-17 08:55:112025-01-06 11:08:41Future Takes Flight Scholarship Program Offering $30,000 in Awards
There are several new flight maneuvers to learn during Commercial Pilot Training. One of the new ground reference maneuvers is called Eights on Pylons, which involves flying a figure 8 pattern over the ground while varying the aircraft’s altitude in order to maintain a defined visual reference to preselected reference points, called pivot points, or pylons.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/15103233/Eights-on-Pylons.jpg10001250Bret Koebbehttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/05155154/FTC-logo-horizontal-fianl.pngBret Koebbe2025-01-15 09:00:192025-01-15 10:33:08Commercial pilot video tip: Eights on Pylons
The FAA utilizes a third-party testing provider, PSI Services, to administer all FAA written exams.
Scheduling your FAA knowledge test is an exciting step toward achieving your goals, but navigating the process can feel overwhelming if you’re unsure where to begin. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) partners with PSI Services to administer these exams, offering flexible scheduling options at numerous locations. Whether you’re taking the Private Pilot Airplane (PAR) exam or another test, this comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the process, from creating your account to selecting your testing center. Let’s simplify the path to your test day and help you focus on what matters most—acing the exam!
PSI exams are available at a number of testing locations throughout the US and abroad and can be scheduled online. Many local flight schools or FBOs host testing centers so you may not have to travel very far. Locating a written testing center is accomplished as part of the test registration process. The cost is $175 and which is paid online with a credit card before you complete the exam scheduling process.
After signing in, you’ll be asked to verify your eligibility which includes entering your unique FAA Tracking number (FTN). If you’ve not already obtained an FTN, you may choose the IACRA link, register for an online account via IACRA, and receive your FTN.
After verifying eligibility, you’ll be asked to select the written exam you wish to take. If you are a Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course user, likely you’ll be choosing the Private Pilot Airplane (PAR) exam.
Choose Private Pilot Airplane (PAR)
Once you’ve selected the appropriate exam, you’ll be asked to verify the number of times you’ve attempted the test. If this is your first time signing in, the exam attempts should default to 1 or you may correct the number of attempts in the editable field. You’ll then be asked to select your authorization category.
School Or Experience selection will be “Other” and Authorization Category from the drop-down will be “Other Statement or Endorsement of Eligibility”
Please note, if you are a Sporty’s online course user, your “school or experience” selection will be “other” and your authorization category from the drop-down menu will be “other statement or endorsement of eligibility” if you intend to utilize your certificate of completion from the Sporty’s course.
Next you’ll be asked to select the testing center you intend to utilize. Before moving on to the selection screen, you will be asked to agree to the “scheduling procedures” which includes proper identification for your exam, the requirement to be at your appointment no more than 30 minutes beyond the scheduled time, permitted materials, and what actions would be considered cheating on the exam.
Once you’ve reached the scheduling page, you may search by country, postal code, and distance from your location. You’ll also be asked to choose a date range for completing the exam to display a list of available testing locations. You’ll be able to select a testing location and time for your exam from the search results.
After selecting your location, date and time for the exam, you’ll be taken to the payment page to complete the final transaction. If you later cancel or postpone your exam, you’ll have up to 12 months to complete. The cost for the exam is $175 which can be paid online via credit card.
A final confirmation of your transaction will be provided and a receipt emailed.
It’s advisable to bring a copy (or have digital access) to your test confirmation when you arrive at the testing center. Be sure to have your certificate of completion in the case of completing the Sporty’s online course or your logbook endorsement from your instructor. A government-issued photo ID will also be required.
What materials are permitted for the FAA Knowledge Test?
All models of aviation-oriented calculators may be used, including small electronic calculators that perform only arithmetic functions (add, subtract, multiply, and divide). Simple programmable memories (which allow addition to, subtraction from, or retrieval of one number from the memory) are permissible. Also, simple functions, such as square root and percent keys, are permissible. Applicants may use scales, straightedges, protractors, plotters, navigation computers, blank logsheets, holding pattern entry aids, and electronic or mechanical calculators that are directly related to the test.
The testing center will provide you with a test supplement which will contain any charts and/or figures you may need to reference during the test. You may review the test supplements in advance. They are available at https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/supplements.
FAA knowledge test taking tips
Familiarize Yourself with the Format—the Private Pilot written test FAA test contains 60 multiple-choice questions, and you have 2 hours to complete it. Any of the written tests may also include validation questions, which are questions used to accumulate data for statistical analysis of test question validity and performance. Validation questions are non-scored questions, and do NOT count for or against your final test score. The posted number of questions does NOT include validation questions.
Take Practice Tests— you have an unlimited number of practice tests available in Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course. Aim to consistently score 90% or higher on practice exams before taking the real test. New questions representing emphasis areas are also routinely added. See the most recent additions here and check back regularly at FlightTrainingCentral.com.
Focus on Weak Areas— Identify topics where you struggle and revisit those sections in your study materials. Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course allows you to create study and testing sessions based on weak subject areas.
Bring the Essentials
Government-issued photo ID.
Your FAA Tracking Number (FTN).
A basic calculator, E6B, plotter.
The appropriate testing authorization or endorsement.
Pace Yourself—Allocate about two minutes per question. Flag difficult ones and return to them later.
Read Carefully—Pay close attention to each question and all answer choices. Look for distractors like “always” or “never.”
Use Process of Elimination—Narrow down choices to two, then choose the best answer.
Mark Questions to Review Later—If unsure, mark the question and revisit it after answering easier ones.
Stay Calm and Confident—Take deep breaths if you feel stressed. Trust your preparation. You got this!
Congratulations on this important milestone and best wishes on your exam!
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/09120914/faa-knowledge-test.png10001250Eric Radtkehttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/05155154/FTC-logo-horizontal-fianl.pngEric Radtke2025-01-13 08:55:262025-01-27 15:04:52Your Step-by-Step Guide to Completing the FAA Knowledge Test
Sporty’s Air Facts Launches the 2025 Richard Collins Writing Prize for Young Pilots
/in News/by Flight Training Central Staff$5,000 first place and $2,500 second place awards for pilots up to age 24
The writer must be a pilot who is 24 years of age or younger. The article must be original and no longer than 1,500 words. The topic should be “my most memorable flight.”
The Richard Collins family has once again partnered with Sporty’s to offer The Richard Collins Writing Prize for Young Pilots. To qualify, the writer must be a pilot (including student pilot) who is 24 years of age or younger. The article must be original, not previously published, and no longer than 1,500 words. The topic should be “my most memorable flight.”
The winning articles will be published in Air Facts, the publication Richard’s father, Leighton, founded in 1938 and which was relaunched in 2011 by Sporty’s as an online magazine. The articles will be judged by a panel of three: Richard Collins, Jr., Amy Laboda, and J. Mac McClellan.
“Since launching this contest in 2019, the Collins Prize has encouraged hundreds of young pilots to reflect upon their aviation experiences and pursue their passion for writing,” said Sporty’s President, John Zimmerman. “We’re honored to celebrate Richard’s legacy with this inspiring writing contest.”
Once again two prizes will be awarded. Both the first place and second place articles will be published in Air Facts, while their writers will receive $5,000 for first place and $2,500 for second place. The winners will be announced in April.
Articles may be submitted now through March 7, 2025, and sent to [email protected]. In addition, young pilots are required to submit a 100-word biography to accompany their articles.
Read the 2024 winning articles:
First place by Clay Simmons – Blister Flight—Six Pilots and an Angel
Second place by Joseph Cummins – My First Oshkosh
Official Rules for the Richard Collins Writing Prize for Young Pilots
Checklist for Young Pilot Authors
If you answered yes to all these questions, you are ready to press SEND! Good luck to all young pilots.
Video Tip: Flying at night
/in Video Tips/by Bret KoebbeNight is simply one of the best times to fly–the air is smooth, the airport isn’t as busy and the view out the window is incredible. This week’s video takes a closer look at night flying and some best practices to follow to ensure your next flight in the dark is as safe as it enjoyable.
The video clip below is from Sporty’s 2025 Learn to Fly Course
Rectangular Course—Sporty’s Flight Maneuver Spotlight
/in Tips and technique, Video Tips/by Flight Training Central StaffSporty’s Flight Maneuver Spotlight series highlights the various maneuvers you’ll practice during your flight training experience and be expected to demonstrate on your checkride.
The Rectangular Course maneuver is part of Sporty’s 2025 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.
Future Takes Flight Scholarship Program Offering $30,000 in Awards
/in News/by Flight Training Central StaffSix $5,000 scholarships split between three categories
The Sheltair and Avfuel Future Takes Flight Scholarships provide $30,000 in educational funds annually. This year the program will award six, $5,000 scholarships across three categories: two for learning to fly or advanced pilot ratings; two for aviation technicians; and two for continuing education.
Scholarships in the learning to fly or advanced pilot ratings category can be used for coursework or flight lessons for students pursuing their private pilot certificate, adding a rating (instrument, multiengine, or others), adding to their certificate with a Commercial or ATP, and more.
Complete applications are due by 11:59 p.m. EDT on August 31, 2025. For more information, visit AvFuel.com.
Commercial pilot video tip: Eights on Pylons
/in Video Tips/by Bret KoebbeThere are several new flight maneuvers to learn during Commercial Pilot Training. One of the new ground reference maneuvers is called Eights on Pylons, which involves flying a figure 8 pattern over the ground while varying the aircraft’s altitude in order to maintain a defined visual reference to preselected reference points, called pivot points, or pylons.
This segment appears in Sporty’s Commercial Pilot Training course, which features over 13 hours of HD video training and VR/360 flight maneuvers.
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Completing the FAA Knowledge Test
/in Tips and technique/by Eric RadtkeThe FAA utilizes a third-party testing provider, PSI Services, to administer all FAA written exams.
Scheduling your FAA knowledge test is an exciting step toward achieving your goals, but navigating the process can feel overwhelming if you’re unsure where to begin. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) partners with PSI Services to administer these exams, offering flexible scheduling options at numerous locations. Whether you’re taking the Private Pilot Airplane (PAR) exam or another test, this comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the process, from creating your account to selecting your testing center. Let’s simplify the path to your test day and help you focus on what matters most—acing the exam!
PSI exams are available at a number of testing locations throughout the US and abroad and can be scheduled online. Many local flight schools or FBOs host testing centers so you may not have to travel very far. Locating a written testing center is accomplished as part of the test registration process. The cost is $175 and which is paid online with a credit card before you complete the exam scheduling process.
Scheduling your exam
The first step to scheduling your FAA written exam is to visit https://faa.psiexams.com/faa/login. First time users will be required to create an account and set up two-factor authentication. This can be done with an app such as Google Authenticator for iOS or Google Authenticator for Android. You may also review exam eligibility requirements from the link on the homepage.
After signing in, you’ll be asked to verify your eligibility which includes entering your unique FAA Tracking number (FTN). If you’ve not already obtained an FTN, you may choose the IACRA link, register for an online account via IACRA, and receive your FTN.
After verifying eligibility, you’ll be asked to select the written exam you wish to take. If you are a Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course user, likely you’ll be choosing the Private Pilot Airplane (PAR) exam.
Choose Private Pilot Airplane (PAR)
Once you’ve selected the appropriate exam, you’ll be asked to verify the number of times you’ve attempted the test. If this is your first time signing in, the exam attempts should default to 1 or you may correct the number of attempts in the editable field. You’ll then be asked to select your authorization category.
School Or Experience selection will be “Other” and Authorization Category from the drop-down will be “Other Statement or Endorsement of Eligibility”
Please note, if you are a Sporty’s online course user, your “school or experience” selection will be “other” and your authorization category from the drop-down menu will be “other statement or endorsement of eligibility” if you intend to utilize your certificate of completion from the Sporty’s course.
Next you’ll be asked to select the testing center you intend to utilize. Before moving on to the selection screen, you will be asked to agree to the “scheduling procedures” which includes proper identification for your exam, the requirement to be at your appointment no more than 30 minutes beyond the scheduled time, permitted materials, and what actions would be considered cheating on the exam.
Once you’ve reached the scheduling page, you may search by country, postal code, and distance from your location. You’ll also be asked to choose a date range for completing the exam to display a list of available testing locations. You’ll be able to select a testing location and time for your exam from the search results.
After selecting your location, date and time for the exam, you’ll be taken to the payment page to complete the final transaction. If you later cancel or postpone your exam, you’ll have up to 12 months to complete. The cost for the exam is $175 which can be paid online via credit card.
A final confirmation of your transaction will be provided and a receipt emailed.
It’s advisable to bring a copy (or have digital access) to your test confirmation when you arrive at the testing center. Be sure to have your certificate of completion in the case of completing the Sporty’s online course or your logbook endorsement from your instructor. A government-issued photo ID will also be required.
What materials are permitted for the FAA Knowledge Test?
The testing center will provide you with a test supplement which will contain any charts and/or figures you may need to reference during the test. You may review the test supplements in advance. They are available at https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/supplements.
FAA knowledge test taking tips
Familiarize Yourself with the Format—the Private Pilot written test FAA test contains 60 multiple-choice questions, and you have 2 hours to complete it. Any of the written tests may also include validation questions, which are questions used to accumulate data for statistical analysis of test question validity and performance. Validation questions are non-scored questions, and do NOT count for or against your final test score. The posted number of questions does NOT include validation questions.
A description of each test, allotted times, and total questions are available via the Airman Knowldge Testing Matrix.
Take Practice Tests— you have an unlimited number of practice tests available in Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course. Aim to consistently score 90% or higher on practice exams before taking the real test. New questions representing emphasis areas are also routinely added. See the most recent additions here and check back regularly at FlightTrainingCentral.com.
Focus on Weak Areas— Identify topics where you struggle and revisit those sections in your study materials. Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course allows you to create study and testing sessions based on weak subject areas.
Bring the Essentials
Pace Yourself—Allocate about two minutes per question. Flag difficult ones and return to them later.
Read Carefully—Pay close attention to each question and all answer choices. Look for distractors like “always” or “never.”
Use Process of Elimination—Narrow down choices to two, then choose the best answer.
Mark Questions to Review Later—If unsure, mark the question and revisit it after answering easier ones.
Stay Calm and Confident—Take deep breaths if you feel stressed. Trust your preparation. You got this!
Congratulations on this important milestone and best wishes on your exam!