How to avoid wake turbulence from large airplanes (video tip)

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A hazardous phenomenon that all pilots learn to avoid when operating at airports is wake turbulence. This invisible turbulence is caused by a pair of counterrotating vortices behind an airplane's wingtips, generated whenever a wing develops lift.

MOSAIC Rule Explained: New Sport Pilot Privileges and LSA Standards

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The 1320-pound limitation was removed from the definition of LSAs (July, 2026) and Sport Pilot eligible (October, 2025) aircraft. The new rule shifts to a performance-based standard for both LSAs and Sport Pilots, though the criteria for both are not the same.

Sporty’s Most Frequently Missed Test Questions—Summer 2025

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Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course generates thousands of simulated Private Pilot exams every month, giving us a clear picture of where students struggle most. The same problem areas keep surfacing: detailed regulations, subtle planning considerations, and complex weather scenarios. By spotlighting these questions, you’ll see exactly where others are making mistakes.

Video Tip: Steep Turns

Whether you’re just starting out or have logged hundreds of hours, mastering steep turns is all about precision, coordination, and feel. In our latest video tip, we break down practical strategies to help you fly steeper, smoother, and safer turns every time.

Flight Maneuver Spotlight: Normal Landings

All pilots look forward to learning how to master the approach and landing since it is one of the most dynamic moments of every flight. Follow along with our 3D flight maneuver video to see how it's done.

Webinar: Pilot Hiring Trends and Insights with James Onieal

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The pilot hiring landscape continues to evolve, and staying informed is essential for every career-minded aviator. Join us for a free webinar with James Onieal, a familiar name to Flight Training Central and IFR Focus readers, as he breaks down the latest trends in pilot recruitment.

Video Tip: Get a “Big Picture” Weather Briefing

Checking the weather is one of the few constants in aviation. All pilots do it, whether it’s a trip around the pattern in a Cub or a trip across the Atlantic in a Gulfstream. But merely getting a weather briefing isn’t enough; it has to be a good weather briefing to make the flight safer. So what exactly does a “good briefing” involve?

Often Overlooked Regulations

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As pilots, we are required to understand the regulations that apply to our flight and ground operations. While most of us learned the appropriate rules during flight training, it’s easy to forget the ones we don’t use every day—and sometimes even misremember the ones we do use. The regulations outlined below tend to be overlooked by pilots and are worth a refresher.

Webinar Video: Q&A With ATC

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Three veteran controllers—who are also experienced GA pilots—share practical, real-world insights you can use on your next flight. You’ll hear what matters most from the other side of the mic, clear up common misunderstandings, and learn tips to make every ATC interaction smoother.

How to read a METAR aviation weather report (video tip)

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One of the first aviation-specific weather products you’ll learn to use is called an Aviation Routine Weather Report, or METAR for short, which is an observation of weather conditions at an airport.