Video tip: How to takeoff and land from a short runway

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Most of your flight training has likely occurred on a long paved runway as you continue improving your normal takeoff and landing skills. The runway length is likely two or three times longer than the performance charts require, providing plenty of extra margin as you build experience.

The next skill you’ll learn is how to achieve the maximum performance from the airplane by operating from shorter runways to achieve the short-field takeoff and landing distances published in your airplane’s performance charts.

Ready to take your flight training, ground school, and test prep to the next level? Check out more great flight training lessons like this one in  Sporty’s 2025 Learn to Fly Course

Ready for the Real-World IFR Experience? Join IFR Focus

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ifr focusIf you’ve earned your instrument rating—or you’re working on it—you know the book knowledge is just the beginning. The real learning begins when you start flying IFR in the system, dealing with fast-changing weather, cryptic ATC instructions, and split-second decisions. That’s where IFR Focus comes in.

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IFR Focus is a new online resource from the editors at Flight Training Central and iPad Pilot News, built specifically for pilots who want to stay sharp, stay safe, and stay current under IFR. You’ll find:

  • Short, practical articles on common IFR scenarios
  • Video tips that reinforce key procedures and techniques
  • Interactive quizzes to test your knowledge
  • A monthly deep dive into one real-world IFR topic—Practical IFR from Jeff Van West
  • And a chance to learn from experienced instructors and instrument pilots

Whether you fly IFR every week or you’re shaking off some rust, IFR Focus is your go-to resource for practical tips and training beyond the checkride.

Sign up now for the free monthly email, and we’ll send you the latest IFR tips, videos, and articles right to your inbox: IFRFocus.com.

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VASI & PAPI Explained: Pilot’s Guide to Visual Approach Lighting

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Visual approach slope indicators use a combination of white and red lights next to the runway to help pilots verify they are flying the correct approach angle. This week’s video takes a closer look at two types, VASI and PAPI, to show you how they work and what the various indications mean. After watching the video, explore the interactive exercise to experiment with different approach scenarios

The video clip below is from Sporty’s 2025 Learn to Fly Course

Quiz: Airplane Weight and Balance

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Calculating the airplane’s weight and balance is a mandatory task you must complete before every flight. Many of an airplane’s performance, handling, and structural characteristics are a function of weight and balance, not to mention the safety risks associated with operating an overloaded or out-of-balance airplane.

Challenge your weight and balance understanding with this quiz, and answer each question correctly to tip the scales in your favor.

1. Which items are included in the empty weight of an aircraft?
1. Which items are included in the empty weight of an aircraft?
Correct! Wrong!
2. An airplane has been loaded in such a manner that the CG is located aft of the aft CG limit. One undesirable flight characteristic a pilot might experience with this airplane would be
2. An airplane has been loaded in such a manner that the CG is located aft of the aft CG limit. One undesirable flight characteristic a pilot might experience with this airplane would be
Correct! Wrong!
3. Loading an airplane to the most aft CG will cause the airplane to be
3. Loading an airplane to the most aft CG will cause the airplane to be
Correct! Wrong!
4. Calculate the total moment of the airplane given 210 pounds of fuel, 260 pounds of front seat passengers, 210 pounds of rear seat passengers and an empty moment of 50 lb-ins.
4. Calculate the total moment of the airplane given 210 pounds of fuel, 260 pounds of front seat passengers, 210 pounds of rear seat passengers and an empty moment of 50 lb-ins.
Correct! Wrong!
5. An aircraft is loaded 120 pounds over maximum certificated gross weight. If fuel (avgas) is drained to bring the aircraft weight within limits, how much fuel should be drained?
5. An aircraft is loaded 120 pounds over maximum certificated gross weight. If fuel (avgas) is drained to bring the aircraft weight within limits, how much fuel should be drained?
Correct! Wrong!
6. One undesirable condition that may occur if an aircraft is loaded beyond the forward CG limit is
6. One undesirable condition that may occur if an aircraft is loaded beyond the forward CG limit is
Correct! Wrong!
7. If a 2 pound weight is located at point X and 4 pounds at point Y, how much weight must be located at point Z in order to balance the plank?
7. If a 2 pound weight is located at point X and 4 pounds at point Y, how much weight must be located at point Z in order to balance the plank?
Correct! Wrong!
8. What is the maximum amount of fuel that may be aboard the airplane on takeoff if loaded as follows? Empty weight 1,400 lbs. Pilot and front passengers 350 lbs. Rear passengers 200 lbs. Baggage 50 lbs.
8. What is the maximum amount of fuel that may be aboard the airplane on takeoff if loaded as follows? Empty weight 1,400 lbs. Pilot and front passengers 350 lbs. Rear passengers 200 lbs. Baggage 50 lbs.
Correct! Wrong!

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Aircraft Weight and Balance You got out of 8 right!

Still have more answers? Take all our other quizzes.

Want to learn more about airplane engine operations? Check out Sporty’s Learn To Fly Course for more in-depth training on this subject.

 

June 2025 Test Question Update from Sporty’s

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Sporty’s recently released its June 2025 written test question update in its 2025 Learn to Fly Course test preparation module. While the FAA does not publish actual test questions, representative test questions are available, and new questions released by Sporty’s represent emphasis areas which you will likely encounter on the test.

The FAA continues to add new questions based on guidance from the Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards. Read the complete June 2025 update here.

The November test question update is available here.

The June test question update is available here.

 

And test your knowledge now by taking this quiz, sampling the new questions just released.

A helicopter and an airship are converging. If the airship is left of the helicopter's position, which aircraft has the right-of-way?
A helicopter and an airship are converging. If the airship is left of the helicopter's position, which aircraft has the right-of-way?
Correct! Wrong!
When performing an approach and landing to a soft field, what is the proper approach angle?
When performing an approach and landing to a soft field, what is the proper approach angle?
Correct! Wrong!
Unless each required flight crewmember is using supplemental oxygen, no person may operate a civil aircraft of U.S. registry above a maximum cabin pressure altitude of
Unless each required flight crewmember is using supplemental oxygen, no person may operate a civil aircraft of U.S. registry above a maximum cabin pressure altitude of
Correct! Wrong!
After landing on a runway, where will the direction sign be found for each of the taxiway exits?
After landing on a runway, where will the direction sign be found for each of the taxiway exits?
Correct! Wrong!
Where might information on inflight icing appear if it is not forecast?
Where might information on inflight icing appear if it is not forecast?
Correct! Wrong!

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Sporty's New Test Questions—May 2025 You got out of 5 right!

 

Interactive video tip: Flying with a constant-speed propeller

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Airplanes with a high-performance engine typically contain a constant-speed propeller for greater efficiency. Learn all about their operation with our latest tip, including how to properly use the throttle, prop control, manifold pressure gauge and tachometer in each phase of flight.

Now, test out controlling a constant-speed propeller system with this interactive exercise from Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course:

The video clip below is from Sporty’s 2025 Learn to Fly Course