Masonry Blog : Flight Training Central

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.

December 4, 2024/by Bret Koebbe

Top 10 student pilot gifts

The best value in aviation today is Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course. It will give you all the knowledge you need to become a proficient aviator and help you ace your FAA tests. Home study is an essential part of your training and Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course will save you time and money. It works on all your devices and it never expires, so you can buy it once and use it for the rest of your flying career.

December 2, 2024/by Doug Ranly

Sporty’s 2025 Course Update Includes Aviation Intelligence

Sporty's recently released a major 2025 update to its online courses which blends cutting-edge Aviation Intelligence℠ (AI) tools, immersive video lessons, and integrated real-world flight simulation—all designed to make your learning experience faster, easier, and more engaging.

November 29, 2024/by Flight Training Central Staff

Video tip: Flying internationally (FARs, flight planning, eAPIS and US Customs)

One of the most rewarding trips you can take after earning your pilot certificate is leaving the U.S. and heading to new destinations in Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean. This week's video tip takes a look at what it takes to fly internationally, including flight planning, extra equipment requirements and how to file the required paperwork with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

November 27, 2024/by Bret Koebbe

November 2024 test question update from Sporty’s

Sporty's recently released its November 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 enounter on the test.

November 25, 2024/by Flight Training Central Staff

Oxygen basics for pilots

Medical and aviator oxygen is 99.5% pure, and industrial, or welders oxygen, is 99.2% pure. The biggest difference between medical and aviator oxygen is the moisture content. Medical oxygen can contain 67 ppm of moisture. Industrial oxygen can contain 50 ppm of moisture. Aviation oxygen can contain 7 ppm of moisture.

November 22, 2024/by Eric Carnahan

Webinar Video: Flying with the iPad as a Digital Copilot

This fast-paced presentation covers a wide range of practical topics on flying with the iPad and the ForeFlight Mobile app. Led by Bret Koebbe, an active pilot and flight instructor at Sporty’s and Editor of iPad Pilot News, this presentation will explore topics applicable to pilots of all iPad experience levels.

November 21, 2024/by Flight Training Central Staff

Video tip: How to use a sectional plotter to plan a cross-country flight

As you enter the cross-country planning phase of your private pilot training, you'll learn the skills required to plan long-distance trips using a VFR sectional, plotter, E6B flight computer and Navlog. This week's tip takes a look at the first phase of this planning process and shows how to use a plotter and sectional to measure the trip distance and determine the exact direction you'll need to fly.

November 20, 2024/by Bret Koebbe

Silent Threat: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Risks for Pilots

Cold weather can mean better airplane performance and some beautiful winter sunrises, but it can also mean potential danger from the airplane's exhaust manifold heating system. In the small, unpressurized cabins of general aviation aircraft, any CO that enters the cabin can quickly reach a significant and dangerous concentration.

November 18, 2024/by John Zimmerman

EAA accepting applications for 2025 scholarship program

More than $1 million dollars in awards is available through the 2024 EAA Scholarship Program and awarded to those who show the greatest potential to be actively engaged in aviation.

November 15, 2024/by Flight Training Central Staff