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.
The process of learning to fly can seem overwhelming at first. But you can do it, and our team of flight instructors here at Sporty’s can help. That’s why we’ve developed this quick checklist of key steps.
Once you’ve located some schools, choosing the right one is one of the most important choices you’ll make in training. More than anything, a flight school needs to be a good fit for you–your schedule, your goals and your personality.
If you’ve talked to other pilots, you may have heard about “the medical.” Don’t worry—you do not have to have perfect health or 20/20 vision.
What most pilots mean when they say “stick and rudder flying” is really energy management, the process of constantly adjusting your airspeed, altitude, and power to arrive at your intended destination under control. The basic concept is both simple and profound: every airplane flies because of some combination of potential energy (altitude) and kinetic energy (airspeed). Think of it as two buckets that have varying levels of water.
You may hear flight schools talk about “Part 61” and “Part 141” programs. This refers to different parts of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) that set minimum standards for flight training.
The length of time it takes to earn a pilot’s certificate varies widely (anywhere from a few weeks to a year), and depends on how spread out your training schedule is. A major milestone in your training is your first solo.
Sporty’s courses have helped over 100,000 pilots learn to fly, and are famous for their relentless pace of innovation. Every year, we add new content, new training tools, and technological enhancements. This year is no exception, with a host of upgrades that make training more engaging and more efficient. Here’s a look at some highlights.
For pure stick and rudder fun, it’s hard to beat the Waco YMF-5D biplane. While it features a lot of modern improvements, it also retains the magic of aviation’s early days: open cockpit, fabric-covered fuselage, and two sets of wings. Ride along in a Waco as this pilot takes it on a tour of Southern California and shows off the impressive avionics inside this vintage-looking airplane.
Few airplanes inspire envy like a Gulfstream jet, and the model sitting at the top of the company’s lineup is the large cabin, long range G650. Most private pilots won’t ever get to fly one of these beauties, but you can get a small taste of what it’s like in this video. Experienced pilot Fred George puts the G650 through its paces, including air work and use of the heads-up display.
When you think of glider flights, do you think of short flights within sight of the airport? That may be reality in a training glider on a calm summer morning, but in a high performance glider over the Alps pilots can go much further. Ride along with this glider pilot as he flies over 450 nautical miles in one trip. No engine required, but it helps to have sharp flying skills and knowledge of the terrain.
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