Regional Airline Association Opens Application Window for 2025 Scholarship Program

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The Regional Airline Association (RAA) is now accepting applications for its 2025 scholarship program, which offers financial support to students pursuing careers in aviation. The RAA Scholarship aims to help the next generation of aviation professionals achieve their educational and career goals while strengthening, expanding, and diversifying the aviation industry's future workforce.

Webinar Video: IFR Quiz Hour—10 Questions to Test Your IFR Knowledge

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Sporty's John Zimmerman hosts a fun, fast-paced hour of IFR flying questions and tips, covering everything from approach charts to weather theory. We'll tackle frequently missed questions from the Instrument written and practical tests so you'll be prepared.

FAA Publishes Updated AIM—Basic Manual Effective February 20, 2025

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This change moves the cautionary statement “Line Up and Wait (LUAW) is not an authorization to takeoff” to the first paragraph for emphasis. This change also adds a note advising readers of the increased number of instances where pilots correctly read back LUAW instructions yet depart without a takeoff clearance. It reminds pilots of the need for vigilance during LUAW operations.

Updated PIC Currency Requirements

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A seemingly subtle change to § 61.57 that went into effect in early December has a significant affect on PIC currency requirements. Of course, everyone is aware that three takeoffs and landings in the same category, class, and type (if required) are required to carry “passengers,” but the recent update to landing currency in § 61.57(a)(b) replaces the word “passengers” with “persons.”

Sporty’s Air Facts Launches the 2025 Richard Collins Writing Prize for Young Pilots

The Richard Collins family has once again partnered with Sporty’s to offer The Richard Collins Writing Prize for Young Pilots. To qualify, the writer must be a pilot (including student pilot) who is 24 years of age or younger. The article must be original, not previously published, and no longer than 1,500 words. The topic should be "my most memorable flight."

Future Takes Flight Scholarship Program Offering $30,000 in Awards

The Sheltair and Avfuel Future Takes Flight Scholarships provide $30,000 in educational funds annually. This year the program will award six, $5,000 scholarships across three categories: two for learning to fly or advanced pilot ratings; two for aviation technicians; and two for continuing education.

Top posts from 2024 at Flight Training Central

Flight Training Central published more than 200 content pieces in 2024 and hosted several monthly themes throughout the year including IFR month in February and Learn to Fly month in May. Throughout the year, readers enjoyed articles, video tips, quizzes, industry news, and webinars and took advantage of Flight Training Central's updated Flight School Directory to locate nearby training facilities.

How weight loss drugs may affect your medical

As a pilot, your medical certification is essential not only for your career but also for ensuring the safety of everyone on board. With the growing prevalence of weight management medications, it's important to understand how these drugs can affect your medical status and what steps you need to take to remain in compliance.

New options available to reinstate flight instructor privileges

The FAA introduced major changes for certified flight instructors on December 1, 2024. CFIs will no longer have an expiration date associated with their certificate under the new rules; however, CFIs are required to maintain recent flight instruction activity or participate in a flight instructor refresher course (FIRC) at least every 24 months. Failure to document and apply for recency via IACRA have the same effect as a CFI expiring—meaning a reinstatement is required.

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.