It was his first airplane trip at age seven that made Eric decide to become a pilot. "While boarding the airplane, a flight attendant noticed my interest in the flight deck and urged me to go talk to the pilot. I give a lot of credit to that pilot for my career choice." Eric earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and went on to an airline career. He learned to fly at Sporty’s as part of the University of Cincinnati’s Professional Pilot Program, an initiative he later directed. Eric now manages Sporty’s media network including FlightTrainingCentral.com. In addition, Eric serves as a Captain in a Cincinnati-based corporate flight department.
You’ve just shut down, tied down, and are grabbing your flight bag when a neatly dressed individual flashes a badge and says, “Hi, I’m with the FAA.” That sound you just heard? It’s your stomach dropping. But before panic sets in, take a breath. Ramp inspections—yes, those dreaded “ramp checks”—are a normal part of the FAA’s safety oversight system. They’re not necessarily a sign that you’ve done anything wrong.
Sporty’s has released its all-new 2026 Learn to Fly Course, packed with major upgrades that make pilot training more immersive, efficient, and personalized than ever before. The latest edition introduces new 4K flight maneuver videos, a powerful aviation-specific AI study tool, and expanded resources for Sport Pilot training under the new MOSAIC rules.
Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course generates thousands of simulated Private Pilot exams every month, giving us a clear picture of where students struggle most. The same problem areas keep surfacing: detailed regulations, subtle planning considerations, and complex weather scenarios. By spotlighting these questions, you’ll see exactly where others are making mistakes.
The pilot hiring landscape continues to evolve, and staying informed is essential for every career-minded aviator. Join us for a free webinar with James Onieal, a familiar name to Flight Training Central and IFR Focus readers, as he breaks down the latest trends in pilot recruitment.
A new revision to the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) is now in effect, and it includes an important clarification for pilots operating at towered airports. The FAA has updated paragraph 4-3-3 to realign the definition and depiction of the upwind leg with how it’s used by air traffic control (ATC) in practice.
Most pilots learn to fly a go-around early in training, usually in calm conditions with a CFI ready to coach them through the steps. Power up, pitch up, clean up, go-around. It’s one of the standard maneuvers on the checkride, and it’s often treated like just that—a maneuver.
Flight bags are like logbooks—every pilot has one, and every pilot has opinions about them. After years of using the original Flight Gear bags, I was curious (and a little skeptical) when I heard Sporty’s had completely redesigned the line. But after flying with a few of the new models over the past month, I can confidently say this is more than a refresh—it’s a total reimagination.
Scheduling your FAA knowledge test is an exciting step toward achieving your goals, but navigating the process can feel overwhelming if you’re unsure where to begin. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) partners with PSI Services to administer these exams, offering flexible scheduling options at numerous locations. Whether you’re taking the Private Pilot Airplane (PAR) exam […]
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.
If you’ve earned your instrument rating—or you’re working on it—you know the book knowledge is just the beginning. The real learning begins when you start flying IFR in the system, dealing with fast-changing weather, cryptic ATC instructions, and split-second decisions. That’s where IFR Focus comes in.
