Video Tips

The takeoff is one of the exhilarating parts of flying, but requires some basic knowledge of aircraft control and the airport environment. Here we'll look at a series of tips to help ensure each of your takeoffs are executed both smoothly and safely.

After the checkride, you must maintain a certain level of flying activity to stay current in the eyes of the FAA. All pilots must meet with a CFI every 24 calendar months to complete a Flight Review, but there are also additional currency requirements you must meet when you want to bring passengers along with you. This week's tip explains the FARs related to pilot currency in plain English, including when you need to log your flight time.

What's the mixture control used for, and why do you have to lean an airplane engine anyway? We'll answer those questions in our latest video tip of the week, plus offer some practical tips like: what power settings demand full rich, how to lean with a G1000 glass cockpit and more.

Most of your flight training will focus on the essentials of flying like stick and rudder skills, navigation and communicating on the radio. One item that's often overlooked is what to do after landing on a cross-country flight and taxi up to the airport parking area. This week's tip takes a look at the resources available to you at the FBO and some advice on how to take advantage of them.

During your training, you'll practice a variety of simulated emergencies so that you're prepared in the event the real thing develops in flight. One of the common training scenarios is a simulated engine failure, which will teach you important memory items and how to use the emergency checklist. This week's tip demonstrates best-practices for dealing with this rare situation to help you get safely back on the ground.

This week's new HD video tip covers a topic that all pilots need to know: power-off stalls. Learn how to do them the right way, and what effect center of gravity (CG) has on stall speed.

Thunderstorms have a great ability to cause aircraft damage on the ground and in flight. Even airlines take extra precaution to divert around impending convective...

Many take for granted the freedoms and flexibility extended to pilots flying in the United States. We have access to over 5,000 public airports and can move about the country when we want with limited government regulation and no user fees. Things are a bit different in other parts of the world though, where airspace is more regulated and landing fees are the norm. Learn first hand from Sophie Gilgean who grew up and learned to fly in Belgium about the limitations placed on private aviation in Europe.

A great pilot takes care of his or her engine, especially when flying with bigger engines found on more advanced airplanes. This means a lot more than just "keeping the needle in the green." In this week's tip, we offer some time-tested tips for making sure your engine is smooth, cool and happy.

Not every approach and landing will be by the book during your training, and you'll inevitably encounter situations when you round out too high, overshoot the touchdown point or bounce after the initial touchdown. This is perfectly normal and learning how to recover from these scenarios will improve your confidence and help you make better landings in the long run.