Masonry Blog : Flight Training Central

Distractions on the Ramp: How a Moment’s Inattention Can Cost Lives

Distractions on the ramp can be deadly. From cell phones to social media, even small lapses in attention can put pilots, passengers, and line personnel at risk. Learn how situational awareness before, during, and after flight can prevent accidents and keep everyone safe.

October 27, 2025/by Paul Jurgens

Sporty’s Launches 2026 Learn to Fly Course with Advanced AI Tools and New Flight Maneuver Training

Sporty’s has released its all-new 2026 Learn to Fly Course, packed with major upgrades that make pilot training more immersive, efficient, and personalized than ever before. The latest edition introduces new 4K flight maneuver videos, a powerful aviation-specific AI study tool, and expanded resources for Sport Pilot training under the new MOSAIC rules.

October 22, 2025/by Eric Radtke

Flight Maneuver Spotlight: Emergency Approach and Landing

You need to react thoughtfully and quickly in the event the engine quits or you experience an unexpected loss of power. This week's tip covers a series of memory items to complete to try to restart the engine, and then what to do if a forced landing becomes necessary.

October 20, 2025/by Flight Training Central Staff

AOPA Flight Training Scholarship Applications Now Open

The AOPA Foundation is offering over $1 million in scholarships to help members achieve their aviation goals—from earning a private pilot certificate to pursuing advanced ratings or aviation careers.

October 17, 2025/by Flight Training Central Staff

Video tip: Flying airplanes with retractable landing gear

Many high-performance airplanes feature retractable landing gear that allows them to fly at higher speeds thanks to the reduced drag (and they look cool too). There are new operational considerations to learn when transitioning to this type of airplane, including the best time to raise the gear after takeoff and lower the gear before landing.

October 15, 2025/by Bret Koebbe

From the DPE: The Lost Art of Calling for a Weather Briefing

The reluctance to call for a phone briefing not only limits their understanding of weather contexts but also fosters a superficial approach to flight safety. It's time we revive this "lost art" by encouraging Certified Flight Instructors (CFIs) to integrate traditional briefings into training operations.

October 13, 2025/by Jason Blair

Video tip: How to handle crosswinds during takeoff

When planning for takeoff, it's best to choose a runway at the departure airport that is most aligned with the wind. Unfortunately, the winds rarely blow right down the runway, so you must learn how to accomplish takeoffs and landings under crosswind conditions. This week's tip looks at the control inputs required and performance implications when performing a crosswind takeoff.

October 8, 2025/by Bret Koebbe

What does that airport sign mean? Take our interactive quiz for pilots

All airports with ATC control towers in the U.S. (and some non-towered airports) use a standard set of pavement markings and elevated signs to guide pilots from the parking airport to the active runway. Test your knowledge of their location and meaning in this interactive exercise so that you’ll be well prepared on what to expect when taxiing at a large airport.

October 6, 2025/by Flight Training Central Staff

Why Fall is the Perfect Time to Find Your Flight School

Thinking about learning to fly? Fall is a fantastic season to start planning your flight training journey. Cooler temperatures and calmer skies make for some of the most enjoyable flying conditions, and there’s no better time to explore your options.

October 3, 2025/by Flight Training Central Staff

How to avoid wake turbulence from large airplanes (video tip)

A hazardous phenomenon that all pilots learn to avoid when operating at airports is wake turbulence. This invisible turbulence is caused by a pair of counterrotating vortices behind an airplane's wingtips, generated whenever a wing develops lift.

October 1, 2025/by Bret Koebbe