Coming from an aviation family, John grew up in the back of small airplanes and learned to fly as a teenager. Ever since, he has been hooked on anything with wings and regularly flies a Citabria, a Pilatus PC-12, and a Cirrus SR22. He is an ATP and also holds ratings for multiengine, seaplanes, gliders, and helicopters. In addition to being Editor-in-Chief of Air Facts, John is the President of Sporty’s Pilot Shop, responsible for new product development and marketing.
Learning to fly isn’t easy, but it’s not supposed to be—that’s why it’s so rewarding when you earn that certificate. Acknowledge up front that you will have both good and bad days during training, and don’t beat yourself up after every mistake. I like to take a two week moving average of my performance, which prevents me from getting too high after a great lesson or too low after a really bad one.
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.
As we get older, most of us get worse at being a student—no matter what the subject. After all, you’re used to being the expert. So if you’re considering learning to fly after your 40th birthday (or your 60th—you really aren’t too old to start), remember these tips.
Tough instructors go beyond FAA standards and deeper than the textbook to teach you things that really matter, in ways that make an indelible impression. Over the years, I’ve had a few right seat companions who deserve the adjective “tough,” but in looking back over those lessons I’m glad I had them.
Flying a light airplane offers access to thousands more airports than the airlines serve, which means you can land closer to your destination, avoid long taxi routes, and save time. For an instrument pilot, though, there is one key difference between a smaller, non-towered airport and a larger one with an air traffic control tower: obtaining an IFR clearance.
Sunglasses make it easier to spot traffic, reduce fatigue, and protect your eyes from long term damage due to solar radiation. They can also provide some protection from debris during a bird strike.
Sporty’s courses are famous for a relentless pace of innovation; every year, we add new content, new training tools, and new platforms. This year is no exception, with a number of significant upgrades that make training more engaging and more efficient. Here’s a look at some highlights.
The first 20 years of life are filled with classes, tests, and homework, so we’re used to absorbing new information and occasionally stumbling on our path to mastery. The typical 45-65 year old, on the other hand, likely hasn’t been in a formal educational setting in a long time.
The unforgiving nature of aviation has serious consequences, consequences we should remember every time we enter the cockpit. If we’re unrealistic about our new year’s resolution, it probably won’t hurt us.
Nobody wants to sound bad in front of the “audience” of your fellow pilots. But there are a few things that can instantly make you sound less professional–let’s call them the 7 deadly sins of radio communication. These phrases should not be in your aviation vocabulary.
