Video: choosing a flight school

In the fourth and final video in the series, we offer some tips for choosing the right flight school.

What should you consider before beginning your flight training

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Flight training is much different than learning how to drive a car. Yes, you will earn a certificate stating that you’re capable of operating a means of transportation, but a pilot certificate is much more nuanced and, in many cases, will take longer with a more significant time and monetary investment. Beyond time and money, there are many more elements to consider before beginning training. These are five topics that I always like to discuss with potential flight students to help build a plan for success. 

FAA publishes updated Airman Certification Standards – Here’s What You Should Know

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The ACS is a comprehensive presentation integrating the standards for what an applicant must know, consider, and do to demonstrate proficiency. In this latest update, effective May 31, 2024, revisions were made to the ACS as an outgrowth of public comment; however, there are no major substantive changes to the testing standards already in use or the conduct of the practical test.

The four fundamentals of flight with Spencer Suderman (episode 1)

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Spencer Suderman shows what to expect on a first flight lesson, from taxiing the airplane to talking with Air Traffic Control to takeoff. He also demonstrates the four fundamentals of flight - straight and level, climbs, descents, and turns - ad shows why a stall is nothing to be afraid of. You'll hear actual communications throughout the flight and learn valuable tips from an experienced flight instructor.
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How to get started learning to fly

For some, flying is a convenient and cost-effective method of personal or business travel. You can set your own schedule, use airports that airlines don’t serve and leave the hassles of security lines behind. For business use, airplanes allow you to do more in one day than you could do in a week traveling by airline. Flexibility, privacy, security and freedom are all great reasons to use a personal airplane for travel.
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May is Learn to Fly Month at Sporty’s

May is Learn to Fly Month at Sporty’s, a celebration of learning to fly designed to help new pilots achieve their aviation goals. In addition to offering savings on popular pilot gear and training resources, Sporty’s will be posting inspiring content on its social media channels, presenting webinars, and delivering valuable flight training resources.

Pilot’s guide to special use airspace

It's important for pilots to understand the operating requirements and restrictions regarding Special Use airspace (SUA).  SUA consists of Prohibited, Restricted, Warning, Military Operation, Alert, and Controlled Firing Areas. All SUA is depicted on aeronautical charts, except for controlled firing areas (CFA), temporary military operations areas (MOA), and temporary restricted areas.

IFR challenge from Pilot Workshops: What would you do?

In this PilotWorkshops IFR Mastery scenario, you own a Beech Sundowner equipped with upgraded instruments, an IFR GPS and an autopilot. The Sundowner will take you, your spouse and a family friend from Abilene, Texas (KABI) to McAlester, Oklahoma (KMLC). On approach to your destination, you execute a missed approach in low IFR conditions. Should you try this approach again or cut your losses and head to the alternate?

How to use VFR flight plans (video tip)

Pilots should get in the habit of filing and opening VFR Flight Plans when flying away from the local airport environment. Then, in the unlikely event that you have an emergency or off-airport landing, the authorities know to come look for you along your planned route of flight.

Emergency Approach and Landing – Flight Maneuver Spotlight

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.