Always leave yourself an out

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We want to have a general understanding of obstructions, terrain, airports, landmarks and any type of airspace restrictions or potential weather hazards located within this band all the way from takeoff to landing.  One vital element of contingency planning relates to fuel.

What pilots need to know about charging plugs, batteries, and cables

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Portable electronic devices have become more and more common on the GA flight deck since the turn of the century. From early GPS navigators gaining popularity in flight bags to a company offering a mini computer with a touchscreen that could make phone calls in mid-2007, these devices have improved safety as well as convenience when we fly.
Aircraft Engine - carb heat

Reminder of the dangers associated with carb ice

An instructor and student received a powerful reminder of the dangers of carburetor ice. Carburetor ice occurs due to the effect of fuel vaporization and the decrease in air pressure which causes a sharp temperature drop.

Busy instrument arrival demands planning, precision and patience

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The secret is out…it is sunny and warm in south Florida. And…

Chart Smart: low altitude IFR enroute chart intersection symbol

What does the flag with the letter R indicate at the BOOPS intersection on the V333 airway?

Strategies for maintaining instrument proficiency

While your instrument flying skills, cockpit management techniques, and risk management processes will no doubt be sharp when you earn your instrument rating, like anything in life, if you don’t use it, you lose it.

Airplane attitude instrument flying is the foundation

When the airplane is properly trimmed, the control pressures needed for these small pitch changes are very light. The most common error in both pitch and bank control is over controlling.  Just as an excessive climb or descent will cause you to overshoot altitude, an excessive rate of turn results in overshooting the target heading.
HD flight maneuver spotlight: steep turns

Steep Turns – Sporty’s HD Flight Maneuver Spotlight

Welcome to the latest edition of the Flight Maneuver Spotlight series. Here we'll highlight the various maneuvers you'll practice during your flight training and be expected to demonstrate during your private pilot checkride. Each maneuver is part of Sporty's 2023 Learn to Fly Course and includes a narrated video animation, along with step-by-step instructions.

Abnormal maneuvers for a student pilot to practice in a simulator

Home flight simulators offer a wealth of practice when it comes to today’s budding aviators. No longer do we have to settle for green lines on a black background with a few instrument indications. We can turn on live weather, sync with our actual electronic flight bag, and practice communications.
Pilot talking on radio

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