Video tip: how to calculate weight and balance

Take the time to compute the total weight of the airplane and center of gravity (CG) before every flight, based on the number of occupants, baggage and fuel and where each item is positioned in the airplane. This week's tip takes a look at how to compute a typical weight and balance calculation and how to verify the results are within limits.

Video tip: turns around a point

Flying in circles over an open field won't get you to your destination any faster, but it will teach you a lot about how the wind affects the airplane in flight. In our latest Video Tip of the Week, we walk through how to fly the Turns Around a Point maneuver, with in-cockpit video and 3D animations. Even if you're already an experienced pilot, this maneuver is a great way to keep your stick and rudder skills sharp.

Top 5 taxiing mistakes

Learning to move the aircraft around on the ground can be just…

Snow on the runway? Here’s how to interpret runway condition codes

An important consideration when planning a flight to an airport at below freezing temperatures is the possibility of snow or ice on the runway and whether the conditions are suitable for your particular airplane and operation. Here's what to look for when checking field condition NOTAMs and the meaning of each runway condition code.

Flying with the iPad as your digital copilot – new webinar recording

Sporty's recently hosted a webinar presentation on iPad proficiency…

6 bad habits to avoid as a student pilot

/
15 Comments
We asked the pilots here at Sporty’s what they thought student pilots should avoid. We’re talking about bad habits that can get in the way of your goal of earning your wings. Here are the six bad habits to avoid when you begin your flight training. 

Preflight Like It Matters

/
1 Comment
A thorough preflight is critical. When you learn to fly, one of the first things that your flight instructor will teach you is what to look for on the airplane before your go fly. Performing a preflight inspection of the aircraft is often one of the first things that your instructor will "solo" you on as well.

Student Pilot News print edition

Student Pilot News is the best place for articles, videos, quizzes, and special offers for new pilots. But in addition to our weekly online updates, we also publish a print version once a year. You can flip through a PDF version of the 2019 edition here.
Self serve fuel pump

How to use self-serve fuel pumps at the airport

Pumping avgas into a Cessna is pretty much the same as pumping 93 octane into a Chevrolet once everything is running. But like most things in aviation, the stakes are higher and the room for error is lower. So here is a step-by-step procedure to make your next self-serve fuel stop safe and stress-free. And yes, some of these lessons had to be learned the hard way.

How to file VFR Flight Plans using the new ICAO format

Starting today, all VFR flight plans must be submitted using the International (ICAO) flight plan form. While it may sound intimidating at first, it's actually a pretty seamless transition when using a mobile app like ForeFlight to file. Here's what you need to know.