Video: what pilots should know about skydiving

As a pilot, jumping out of a perfectly good airplane might seem crazy, but JP Schulze says it actually helps you be a better pilot. Go skydiving with JP in this video to see what it's like to free fall, complete with some awesome 360-degree video segments. Fun or scary? You decide.

Video: landing the Space Shuttle (HUD view)

The Space Shuttle might seem like a very powerful machine, but for the return leg of its voyage it was nothing more than a glider. In this heart-pounding video, you'll ride along with astronauts as they guide the 165,000 lb. glider to a safe landing. Watch the heads-up display to see the surprisingly high airspeed and sink rate, as they start the flare from 1000 feet. But just like in a Schweizer or a Skyhawk, precise flying leads to a smooth touchdown.

Video: a day in the life of a Caribbean skydive pilot

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There are almost as many aviation jobs as there are pilots. In this video, you'll see a typical day in the life of a pilot flying a Cessna 206, carrying skydivers over beautiful Saint Martin. It's definitely not the typical point A to point B flight, but it's still a lot of fun. Just remember the door is off.

Video: landing on a mountain runway in Papua New Guinea

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Short and soft field operations might seem academic when you're learning in a Skyhawk on a 6,000 foot long runway. But for some pilots these types of landings are part of the job. Fly along with two professional bush pilots in this video, as they take their Kodiak into a remote mountain runway. On speed and on glide path is the only way to fly here.

Video: seaplane flying in Alaska

Seaplanes are just about the most fun you can have in aviation—they are all about fun, freedom, and challenge. And there's no better place to fly seaplanes than in Alaska, where these machines aren't just toys, they are a critical mode of transportation. Ride along with FlightChops in this episode as he learns the ins and outs of seaplanes, including the legendary de Havilland Beaver.

Video: how a $30,000 airplane changed one pilot’s life

Learning to fly is a life-changing experience, but so is buying an airplane. The joy (and occasional heartbreak) of owning your own magic carpet makes general aviation a real family activity and is a great way to learn even more about aviation. This awesome video shows the journey from new pilot to airplane owner, and all the decisions along the way.

Video: landing a Bonanza on a golf course

The Bonanza is known as a refined cross-country airplane, but it's not bad for soft fields either. Fly along with Matt Guthmiller as he flies to a variety of locations in this new video. You'll see airplanes on a golf course, a sand bar, and even a mountain top (no, not all of those are in the Bonanza). It's fun general aviation flying at its finest.

Video: ride with Patty Wagstaff at Oshkosh

The big Sun 'n Fun airshow was supposed to this week, but due to worldwide COVID-19 restrictions it was postponed. To help you get in the airshow spirit, though, we're happy to share this video from Sporty's and Patty Wagstaff. You can ride along as the legendary aerobatic pilot performs her stomach-churning routine at Oshkosh 2019.

Video: life as a seaplane pilot

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Flying a seaplane is about the most fun as you can have in an airplane, with almost total freedom and great views. But for some pilots, this type of flying is their job. Follow a new first officer as he learns about flying for Trans Maldivian Airways, an airline that is the largest seaplane operator in the world. It's still work, but it looks pretty fun too.

Video: Triple Tree’s incredible 7,000-foot grass runway

When you hear "grass runway" you probably think of a short farm strip. Triple Tree Aerodrome in South Carolina is something entirely different: a 7,000-foot long stretch of grass that looks like it's a golf course fairway. Ride along in a Cirrus SR20 as a family visits the scenic airport and enjoys the warm hospitality of fellow pilots. It's everything that's right about general aviation.