All pilots must maintain vigilance to see and avoid other aircraft. In a see-and-be-seen environment, you should continuously scan all areas visible from the cockpit. But do you know the best method to accomplish this? What about at night? Take this quiz and test your ability to spot a potential traffic conflict and avoid a dangerous collision.
1. During nighttime hours, the most effective method of scanning for other aircraft is to use
Correct!Wrong!
2. Most midair collision accidents occur during
Correct!Wrong!
3. How can you determine if another aircraft is on a collision course with your aircraft?
Correct!Wrong!
4. The most effective method of scanning for other aircraft for collision avoidance during daylight hours is to use
Correct!Wrong!
5. What procedure is recommended when climbing or descending VFR on an airway?
Correct!Wrong!
6. The Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) specifically encourages pilots to turn on their landing lights when operating below 10,000 feet, day or night, and especially when operating
Correct!Wrong!
7. During a night flight, you observe a steady green light and a flashing red light ahead and at the same altitude. What is the general direction of movement of the other aircraft?
Correct!Wrong!
8. Prior to starting each maneuver, pilots should
Correct!Wrong!
9. During a night flight, you observe a steady white light and a flashing red light ahead and at the same altitude. What is the general direction of movement of the other aircraft?
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/07141212/Traffic-spotting-quiz.jpg10001250Chris Clarkehttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/17092615/FTC_Redesign_2025_WhiteRed_WEB.pngChris Clarke2025-04-07 12:00:192025-04-07 14:14:29See and Be Seen: Test Your Pilot Traffic Awareness Skills
Sporty’s Pilot’s Discretion Podcast has new episodes available with guests that include John Zimmerman marking the 100th episode milestone. Also joining the podcast recently was Chuck Surack. After building a billion-dollar music business, Surack is applying the lessons he learned to save an aviation icon. He talks about his passion for flying helicopters, why he decided to buy Enstrom, and the challenge of restarting production.
Pilot’s Discretion brings you authentic conversations with some of aviation’s most interesting people and is hosted by Sporty’s CEO, John Zimmerman. Have a question or a guest suggestion? Email us: [email protected].
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/05155321/Podcast_logo_FINAL_PD-1500.jpg15001500Flight Training Central Staffhttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/17092615/FTC_Redesign_2025_WhiteRed_WEB.pngFlight Training Central Staff2025-04-04 08:55:042025-03-31 10:14:38New episodes of Sporty’s Pilot’s Discretion Podcast
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/2025/09/17092615/FTC_Redesign_2025_WhiteRed_WEB.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/2025/09/17092615/FTC_Redesign_2025_WhiteRed_WEB.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/2025/09/17092615/FTC_Redesign_2025_WhiteRed_WEB.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/2025/09/17092615/FTC_Redesign_2025_WhiteRed_WEB.pngFlight Training Central Staff2025-03-24 08:55:452025-03-16 12:41:09Flight Maneuver Spotlight: Traffic Pattern Entry Procedures
See and Be Seen: Test Your Pilot Traffic Awareness Skills
/in Quiz/by Chris ClarkeAll pilots must maintain vigilance to see and avoid other aircraft. In a see-and-be-seen environment, you should continuously scan all areas visible from the cockpit. But do you know the best method to accomplish this? What about at night? Take this quiz and test your ability to spot a potential traffic conflict and avoid a dangerous collision.
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Want to brush up on traffic spotting techniques? Check out Sporty’s 2025 Learn to Fly Course
New episodes of Sporty’s Pilot’s Discretion Podcast
/in News/by Flight Training Central StaffSporty’s Pilot’s Discretion Podcast has new episodes available with guests that include John Zimmerman marking the 100th episode milestone. Also joining the podcast recently was Chuck Surack. After building a billion-dollar music business, Surack is applying the lessons he learned to save an aviation icon. He talks about his passion for flying helicopters, why he decided to buy Enstrom, and the challenge of restarting production.
Pilot’s Discretion brings you authentic conversations with some of aviation’s most interesting people and is hosted by Sporty’s CEO, John Zimmerman. Have a question or a guest suggestion? Email us: [email protected].
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.