Chris Clarke
Having a childhood dream of aviation, Chris first became an Aviation Explorer, motivating him to earn his private pilot's license as a teenager. During his four years at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University he earned his commercial, multi-engine certificate with an instrument rating. While experimenting in seaplanes, gliders, and a variety of other personal aircraft, Chris developed a passion for general aviation and shares that passion as he develops aviation training apps and content for Sporty's Pilot Shop.
Quiz: Planning with a VFR Sectional Chart
An aviation VFR Sectional chart is chock-full of visual reference information that is important for every pilot. Runway lengths, obstacle avoidance, restricted airspace, plus much...
Quiz: Can You Identify These Airport Signs and Markings?
Taxiing around large airports if often one of the more challenging aspects when learning to fly. Studying the various signs and markings in preparation for operating at an airport with a complex taxiway and runway layout will help you better understand the system and improve your situational awareness as you move from the parking area to the active runway.
Quiz: Flying The Traffic Pattern
Sitting in the cockpit during the cruise portion of any flight may have a tendency to become monotonous. But as the destination traffic pattern approaches,...
Quiz: Wake Turbulence Avoidance
Wake turbulence is an invisible hazard that presents an additional challenge for pilots operating light airplanes out of busy airports. Take our latest quiz and test your knowledge of proper avoidance techniques.
Quiz: Runway Safety
Runway incursions can happen to pilots of any experience level and at any airport—staying “current” on ground operations is essential. Can you score 100%...
Quiz: Preflight Planning an IFR Flight
There are many details to consider when planning a flight under Instrument Flight Rules. Mix in some inclement weather, and the workload increases exponentially. Answer all these questions correctly and prove you have the keys to unlock a successful IFR flight.
Quiz: Aircraft Weight and Balance
Weight and balance is a critical element that every pilot must reconcile before each flight. Many of the performance, handling and structural characteristics of...
Quiz: Understanding the airplane Pitot-Static System
The pitot-static system is the source of valuable flight information for the pilot. But how does it work and what instruments are affected? Take...
Video: getting IFR current
Been a while since you logged actual IMC time? Ride along as JP bores holes in the clouds during some practice IFR approaches, including an ILS into Cincinnati International. You'll see him knock off the rust in a Cessna 172, and see the Garmin G5s, Garmin GTN650, and Stratus 3 portable ADS-B receiver in action.
Quiz: Do You Know Your Airspace?
As they say, nothing is for certain except death, taxes, and airspace. Whether you fly big iron through the flight levels, or go low and...
