It’s something all pilots have to do during training for a private pilot certificate — pass the FAA Knowledge Test. While this test has gotten a bad rap over the years from some, the reality is it’s a non-event when you approach it with the proper mindset and use the right study tools. In this webinar video, we’ll show how to use tried-and-true study methods using Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course to make the process an engaging and meaningful learning experience, and not just another exercise in rote memorization.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/05155614/FAAtest-1030x687-1.jpg6871030Eric Radtkehttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/05155154/FTC-logo-horizontal-fianl.pngEric Radtke2023-05-21 09:00:462023-05-20 15:34:38Webinar video: How to pass the FAA written in less time
Each spring in the Midwest, we anxiously await Daylight Saving Time which translates to more hours for flying. But even with the additional daylight hours and mild temperatures, each season has its advantages for flight training. If you are investigating the best season to begin your flight training, there are pros and cons for all four.
Spring
Spring in southern Ohio tends to be wet. We average just under four inches of rain from March to May. But what is different versus the Notthwest (which, in the same time period, averages about 2.3 inches of rainfall) is that Midwest rain seems to be either on or off. We will get short down bursts and then back to sunshine within minutes. The weather moves through quickly so we don’t experience long periods of time with “no fly” weather. The winds are calm in the morning, the skies are likely to be severe-clear, and the temperatures are perfect. There are plenty of rolling hills nearby with fun airports scattered throughout to make for beautiful scenic flights during the spring awakening of the surrounding forests.
Rainfall in the Midwest tends to be the showery variety.
Summer
Summers in Ohio average in the mid-80s which is not terribly oppressive, but the humidity can be a challenge. That said, long days and blue skies with minimal thunderstorm activity are to be expected. Summer is the busy season for flight training. Renting an airplane is more difficult because of the higher demand and the pattern is going to be busy.
Flying in our area lends itself to lunchtime flights for some of the best $100 hamburgers you can find.
Summer means long days, but also high humidity.
Fall
Every pilot loves a good view. While the Fall can signal the end of your long summer days, the changing of the leaves in southern Ohio never grows old. I highly recommend everyone make a trip to experience the fall foliage of the Midwest at least once. The weather is cooling down with average temperatures in the 60s. Precipitation is at its lowest point of the year during the fall averaging less than nine days per month with rain.
Everyone should make a trip to experience the fall foliage of the Midwest at least once.
Winter
Winter is a great time to fly. The airplanes love the cold, dry air and sunny skies warm you up in the airplane so it’s not uncomfortable. Best of all, with the shorter day, it is easier to gain night experience. All pilots need night flying to stay current or earn those minimum night flying hours for Private pilot. We also encounter less traffic and better aircraft availability. Flight training in the winter is a lesser-known trick to new pilots, but those who have flown through the season know it is a great time to fly.
The airplanes love the cold, dry air of winter.
What about you?
Now it’s your turn! Let your fellow pilots know where you fly and what time of year is best. Share your experience below in the comments or you can send to the editors at Student Pilot News. Email us at [email protected]. Blue skies ahead!
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/05174130/Screen-Shot-2018-03-27-at-4.21.42-PM.png14402560studentpltnewshttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/05155154/FTC-logo-horizontal-fianl.pngstudentpltnews2023-05-17 14:30:012023-05-15 09:32:02What’s the best time of year for pilot training?
The engine just quit and there are red Xs covering the flight instruments. What do you do next? Sporty’s has once again partnered with airshow pilot and flight instructor Spencer Suderman, this time for a new video series to answer questions like that. Each video addresses common flight training questions, including the basics of airplane control and how to make better landings. Suderman shares practical tips throughout, including during an actual lesson with a flight student.
In this episode, Spencer simulates several inflight emergency scenarios and how to handle them, including loss of engine power, flight instrument failure and loss of radio communications. Then on the return flight back to Jacksonville’s Craig field, Spencer shows how to work with ATC in a busy traffic pattern, where 4 planes are lined up on the final approach leg in the sequence to land.
Mr. Tim Genc, Chief Advisor at FAPA (Future & Active Pilot Advisors) presents, Building the Pilot Pipeline. Aspiring career pilots of all ages, backgrounds, shapes and sizes will learn about the pathways to becoming a professional pilot. Access the slide deck for the presentation here.
Topics include:
• State of the aviation, specifically pilot, industry
• The path from initial training to professional pilot
• Educational advice: college, vocational flight school, or military route?
• Options to pay for your flight training and education
• The next steps necessary to launch your pilot career
Tim Genc is the Chief Advisor at FAPA and a certified flight instructor. He previously worked as Director of Pilot Recruitment at a regional airline and has interviewed thousands of professional pilot candidates. Genc hosts in-person future pilot webinars throughout the country as part of FAPA’s Pilot Job Fairs.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/05170739/Airliner.jpg13562000Eric Radtkehttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/05155154/FTC-logo-horizontal-fianl.pngEric Radtke2023-05-13 14:30:002023-05-13 17:16:50Webinar video: pilot hiring trends and tips
The inaugural EAA Learn to Fly Week will take place next week, May 15-20! Expert flight instructors and representatives from aviation organizations will present free and interactive webinars to help jumpstart your flight training journey.
Topics covered include how to get started in flight training, tips for saving time and money in flight training, preparing for the FAA written exam, examiner tips for passing the checkride, and much more!
This six-day event concludes with chapter-hosted Flying Start events on May 20, 2023. These events welcome, encourage, and educate aspiring pilots to a flight training pathway at their local airport. Flying Start events are capped with the FREE introductory Eagle Flight!
No one wants to pay too much for a product or service, and it’s certainly no different with learning to fly. Learning to fly involves some expense, but it’s important to examine this expense as an investment that will provide a lifetime of return. The extent and depth of the training you will receive for your money makes learning to fly one of the all-time great bargains compared to many other recreational or business pursuits. For your investment, you will acquire the basic skills needed to safely enjoy an extraordinary and unique activity for years to come—a pilot’s license never expires!
Cost varies by flight school and license, and geographic location, but it is usually about the price of a family vacation for a week (anywhere from $10,000 to $15,000). And, you can pay as you go, so there’s no large payment due up front. And the good news is that you can control much of what you spend and take steps to make your training more efficient (read our Five Ways to Save Money During Training). Frequency of training has the greatest impact on your total investment. Sporty’s recommends a frequency of 2-3 lessons per week for the best efficiency. A lesson costs about $250 – $300 which translates to $2,000 – $3,000 per month over the course of your training (about 4-5 months).
Sporty’s recommends a frequency of 2-3 lessons per week for the best efficiency to your certificate.
As with many things, in the long run value turns out to be more important than the bottom-line cost of your flight training. You should be concerned with what you are getting for your money, not just how much you’ll spend. Value is measured by the quality of the training, and the relationship that develops between you and your instructor or flight school. The cheapest usually isn’t the best.
When researching cost, be sure to ask about all the expenses associated with training: instructor time, including preflight and post-flight briefings, aircraft rental, ground school, the written test, the oral exam and check ride, and the necessary supplies.
Some schools, and most ab initio career-training academies, charge an all-inclusive price covering flight and ground training for all certificates and ratings in the program. Look carefully at these deals. A seemingly low package price may cover only the minimum instructional flight hours required in the regulations. Since most people take longer, you could end up spending considerably more. Also check on the school’s financial stability and refund policy in the event you must withdraw for whatever reason and always be cautious of paying large sums of money up front.
If cost is a critical concern, make it a priority on your school shopping list, but don’t lose sight of the importance of value.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/08085254/cessna-skyhawk-airplane-in-flight-from-wing-tip-scaled.jpg14392560John Zimmermanhttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/05155154/FTC-logo-horizontal-fianl.pngJohn Zimmerman2023-05-08 14:30:332023-05-08 08:54:02How much does it cost to earn a pilot’s license?
Webinar video: How to pass the FAA written in less time
/in Webinars/by Eric RadtkeIt’s something all pilots have to do during training for a private pilot certificate — pass the FAA Knowledge Test. While this test has gotten a bad rap over the years from some, the reality is it’s a non-event when you approach it with the proper mindset and use the right study tools. In this webinar video, we’ll show how to use tried-and-true study methods using Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course to make the process an engaging and meaningful learning experience, and not just another exercise in rote memorization.
What’s the best time of year for pilot training?
/in Tips and technique/by studentpltnewsEach spring in the Midwest, we anxiously await Daylight Saving Time which translates to more hours for flying. But even with the additional daylight hours and mild temperatures, each season has its advantages for flight training. If you are investigating the best season to begin your flight training, there are pros and cons for all four.
Spring
Spring in southern Ohio tends to be wet. We average just under four inches of rain from March to May. But what is different versus the Notthwest (which, in the same time period, averages about 2.3 inches of rainfall) is that Midwest rain seems to be either on or off. We will get short down bursts and then back to sunshine within minutes. The weather moves through quickly so we don’t experience long periods of time with “no fly” weather. The winds are calm in the morning, the skies are likely to be severe-clear, and the temperatures are perfect. There are plenty of rolling hills nearby with fun airports scattered throughout to make for beautiful scenic flights during the spring awakening of the surrounding forests.
Rainfall in the Midwest tends to be the showery variety.
Summer
Summers in Ohio average in the mid-80s which is not terribly oppressive, but the humidity can be a challenge. That said, long days and blue skies with minimal thunderstorm activity are to be expected. Summer is the busy season for flight training. Renting an airplane is more difficult because of the higher demand and the pattern is going to be busy.
Flying in our area lends itself to lunchtime flights for some of the best $100 hamburgers you can find.
Summer means long days, but also high humidity.
Fall
Every pilot loves a good view. While the Fall can signal the end of your long summer days, the changing of the leaves in southern Ohio never grows old. I highly recommend everyone make a trip to experience the fall foliage of the Midwest at least once. The weather is cooling down with average temperatures in the 60s. Precipitation is at its lowest point of the year during the fall averaging less than nine days per month with rain.
Everyone should make a trip to experience the fall foliage of the Midwest at least once.
Winter
Winter is a great time to fly. The airplanes love the cold, dry air and sunny skies warm you up in the airplane so it’s not uncomfortable. Best of all, with the shorter day, it is easier to gain night experience. All pilots need night flying to stay current or earn those minimum night flying hours for Private pilot. We also encounter less traffic and better aircraft availability. Flight training in the winter is a lesser-known trick to new pilots, but those who have flown through the season know it is a great time to fly.
The airplanes love the cold, dry air of winter.
What about you?
Now it’s your turn! Let your fellow pilots know where you fly and what time of year is best. Share your experience below in the comments or you can send to the editors at Student Pilot News. Email us at [email protected]. Blue skies ahead!
Inflight emergency scenarios with Spencer Suderman (episode 3)
/in Tips and technique/by Bret KoebbeThe engine just quit and there are red Xs covering the flight instruments. What do you do next? Sporty’s has once again partnered with airshow pilot and flight instructor Spencer Suderman, this time for a new video series to answer questions like that. Each video addresses common flight training questions, including the basics of airplane control and how to make better landings. Suderman shares practical tips throughout, including during an actual lesson with a flight student.
In this episode, Spencer simulates several inflight emergency scenarios and how to handle them, including loss of engine power, flight instrument failure and loss of radio communications. Then on the return flight back to Jacksonville’s Craig field, Spencer shows how to work with ATC in a busy traffic pattern, where 4 planes are lined up on the final approach leg in the sequence to land.
Webinar video: pilot hiring trends and tips
/in Tips and technique/by Eric RadtkeMr. Tim Genc, Chief Advisor at FAPA (Future & Active Pilot Advisors) presents, Building the Pilot Pipeline. Aspiring career pilots of all ages, backgrounds, shapes and sizes will learn about the pathways to becoming a professional pilot. Access the slide deck for the presentation here.
Topics include:
• State of the aviation, specifically pilot, industry
• The path from initial training to professional pilot
• Educational advice: college, vocational flight school, or military route?
• Options to pay for your flight training and education
• The next steps necessary to launch your pilot career
Tim Genc is the Chief Advisor at FAPA and a certified flight instructor. He previously worked as Director of Pilot Recruitment at a regional airline and has interviewed thousands of professional pilot candidates. Genc hosts in-person future pilot webinars throughout the country as part of FAPA’s Pilot Job Fairs.
Next week is EAA’s Learn to Fly Week
/in News/by Eric RadtkeThe inaugural EAA Learn to Fly Week will take place next week, May 15-20! Expert flight instructors and representatives from aviation organizations will present free and interactive webinars to help jumpstart your flight training journey.
Topics covered include how to get started in flight training, tips for saving time and money in flight training, preparing for the FAA written exam, examiner tips for passing the checkride, and much more!
This six-day event concludes with chapter-hosted Flying Start events on May 20, 2023. These events welcome, encourage, and educate aspiring pilots to a flight training pathway at their local airport. Flying Start events are capped with the FREE introductory Eagle Flight!
For more information, visit www.eaa.org/ltfweek.
How much does it cost to earn a pilot’s license?
/in Getting Started/by John ZimmermanNo one wants to pay too much for a product or service, and it’s certainly no different with learning to fly. Learning to fly involves some expense, but it’s important to examine this expense as an investment that will provide a lifetime of return. The extent and depth of the training you will receive for your money makes learning to fly one of the all-time great bargains compared to many other recreational or business pursuits. For your investment, you will acquire the basic skills needed to safely enjoy an extraordinary and unique activity for years to come—a pilot’s license never expires!
Cost varies by flight school and license, and geographic location, but it is usually about the price of a family vacation for a week (anywhere from $10,000 to $15,000). And, you can pay as you go, so there’s no large payment due up front. And the good news is that you can control much of what you spend and take steps to make your training more efficient (read our Five Ways to Save Money During Training). Frequency of training has the greatest impact on your total investment. Sporty’s recommends a frequency of 2-3 lessons per week for the best efficiency. A lesson costs about $250 – $300 which translates to $2,000 – $3,000 per month over the course of your training (about 4-5 months).
Sporty’s recommends a frequency of 2-3 lessons per week for the best efficiency to your certificate.
As with many things, in the long run value turns out to be more important than the bottom-line cost of your flight training. You should be concerned with what you are getting for your money, not just how much you’ll spend. Value is measured by the quality of the training, and the relationship that develops between you and your instructor or flight school. The cheapest usually isn’t the best.
When researching cost, be sure to ask about all the expenses associated with training: instructor time, including preflight and post-flight briefings, aircraft rental, ground school, the written test, the oral exam and check ride, and the necessary supplies.
Some schools, and most ab initio career-training academies, charge an all-inclusive price covering flight and ground training for all certificates and ratings in the program. Look carefully at these deals. A seemingly low package price may cover only the minimum instructional flight hours required in the regulations. Since most people take longer, you could end up spending considerably more. Also check on the school’s financial stability and refund policy in the event you must withdraw for whatever reason and always be cautious of paying large sums of money up front.
If cost is a critical concern, make it a priority on your school shopping list, but don’t lose sight of the importance of value.
Read our entire Getting Started series for more answers.