Bret Koebbe
Bret is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s professional pilot program, and has been a flight instructor for over 10 years. During his time as a check airman for Sporty’s Academy, he has earned FAA Gold Seal and NAFI Master Instructor accreditations. Bret specializes in advanced avionics training, and especially enjoys working with students learning glass cockpit systems, WAAS GPS units, and iPad and Android tablets in the cockpit. He currently flies both professionally and for fun in a variety of aircraft, from Cessna Skycatchers to a Cessna Citation. Bret is also a Vice President at Sporty’s Academy, where he develops innovative new aviation training products in video, online and mobile app formats.
Video Tip: Visual Approach Slope Indicators (VASI/PAPI)
Visual approach slope indicators use a combination of white and red lights next to the runway to help pilots verify they are flying the correct approach angle to the runway. This week's video takes a closer look at 2 types, VASI and PAPI, to show you how they work and what the various indications mean.
Video Tip: Flying in and around special use airspace
Special use airspace includes military operations area, prohibited areas, alert areas, warning areas, restricted areas and controlled firing areas. This week's video tip explains how to identify their location and best practices for making sure you don't accidentally fly into one.
Weather Video Tip: Microbursts and wind shear
Microbursts are one of aviation's top weather hazards, and the intensity of the wind shear can spell trouble for even the most powerful airplanes. In this tip we'll look at the weather variables that can cause a microburst, how to look for the warning signs and what to do should you encounter one.
Video tip: how to land an airplane
Landing an airplane is one of the most challenging, yet satisfying tasks you'll learn to master on your path towards becoming a private pilot. This week's tip shows how to fly a stabilized final approach and help you visualize the steps necessary to transition from the roundout and flare to the touchdown.
Video Tip: Aerodynamics of a Wing Stall
During your flight training you will practice stalling the airplane to better learn the low-speed handling characteristics of the airplane, and how to recover if an unintentional stall occurs. In this video tip we'll look at how the airflow changes over the wing as it nears the critical angle of attack and eventually stalls.
Flight Maneuver Spotlight: Traffic pattern entry procedures
Standard traffic patterns are established at nontowered airports to provide a smooth flow of traffic from the arrival phase of flight through approach and landing. Here are the steps to follow to safely and efficiently join the pattern and get established on the final approach leg for landing.
5 flight planning resources you should be using
Flight planning today has never been easier for pilots, thanks to all the sophisticated mobile apps and wealth of up-to-date weather data available at our fingertips. Here are 5 flight planning resources outside of your favorite aviation app to consider while preparing for your next flight.
Flight maneuver spotlight: power-off stalls
You'll learn how to intentionally stall the airplane during your flight training so that you can recognize the sights, sounds and how the controls feel as you approach critically slow airspeeds. Equally as important, you'll learn how to quickly recover in the event you inadvertently reach a stalled condition in flight.
Flight maneuver spotlight: emergency approach and landing
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.
Flight maneuver spotlight: slow flight
Flying an airplane just above the stall speed in the slow flight configuration will teach you a lot about the handling characteristics and controllability at low speeds, which is a critical step in the development of your flying skills during flight training.
