Rectangular Course—Sporty’s Flight Maneuver Spotlight

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During your training, you will be introduced to the rectangular course and other ground reference maneuvers. Ground reference maneuvers integrate the fundamentals of flight and demonstrate that you have competence in manipulating the flight controls and applying control pressures to maintain a pre-determined aircraft course relative to objects on the ground.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Completing the FAA Knowledge Test

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Scheduling your FAA knowledge test is an exciting step toward…

Descent Planning: Strategies for Safe and Smooth Arrivals

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Descent planning is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of managing your flight. And if not planned properly, a poorly executed descent can present challenges and unnecessary risks when transitioning to an approach or the traffic pattern. Pilots must consider a variety of factors, including terrain, weather, airspace constraints, and aircraft performance, to ensure a smooth and safe descent.

Top posts from 2024 at Flight Training Central

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Flight Training Central published more than 200 content pieces in 2024 and hosted several monthly themes throughout the year including IFR month in February and Learn to Fly month in May. Throughout the year, readers enjoyed articles, video tips, quizzes, industry news, and webinars and took advantage of Flight Training Central's updated Flight School Directory to locate nearby training facilities.

November 2024 test question update from Sporty’s

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Sporty's recently released its November written test question update in its 2025 Learn to Fly Course test preparation module. While the FAA does not publish actual test questions, representative test questions are available, and new questions released by Sporty's represent emphasis areas which you will likely enounter on the test.

Oxygen basics for pilots

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Medical and aviator oxygen is 99.5% pure, and industrial, or welders oxygen, is 99.2% pure. The biggest difference between medical and aviator oxygen is the moisture content. Medical oxygen can contain 67 ppm of moisture. Industrial oxygen can contain 50 ppm of moisture. Aviation oxygen can contain 7 ppm of moisture.

Silent Threat: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Risks for Pilots

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Cold weather can mean better airplane performance and some beautiful winter sunrises, but it can also mean potential danger from the airplane's exhaust manifold heating system. In the small, unpressurized cabins of general aviation aircraft, any CO that enters the cabin can quickly reach a significant and dangerous concentration.

Pilot’s Guide to BasicMed—expansion allows for six passengers in aircraft up to 12,500 pounds

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BasicMed is an alternate way for pilots to fly without holding an FAA medical certificate as long as they meet certain requirements. To fly under BasicMed, pilots must print off a FAA Form 8700-2; BasicMed Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist (CMEC) and get your physical exam with a state-licensed physician.
class b airspace guide

Class B Airspace—A Pilot’s Guide

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Class B airspace begins at the surface in the area surrounding the primary airport. As you move further from the primary airport, layers or shelves that start above the surface will be found. The shape of the surface area and layers are tailored to the individual airport and the instrument approach corridors to its runways.

TAA Instrument Approaches: How to Navigate Terminal Arrival Areas

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The Terminal Arrival Area (TAA) approach is designed to provide a transition from the IFR enroute segment to the approach environment with little required interaction between the pilot and air traffic control (ATC). This is accomplished by publishing operationally usable altitudes in lieu of a traditional minimum safe altitude (MSA) altitude defined within a circular sector.