Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 16, 2024

Starting on your path to becoming a pilot might feel like stepping into the unknown. Let’s get you set up with what you need to begin your pilot journey. Key Takeaways Getting a pilot’s license requires a high school education or GED and passing a basic medical exam. What Are the Basic Requirements to Start Pilot Training?

Pilot

WayMan

JUNE 16, 2025

how to get an aviation license Earning an aviation license is the first step to becoming a pilot—whether you’re flying recreationally or planning a career in commercial aviation. Steps to Get Your Aviation License The process of becoming a licensed pilot depends on the license type, but the general steps remain consistent.

Checkride

Inflight Pilot Training

APRIL 28, 2025

Becoming an airline pilot is an exciting and rewarding journey but its also a significant investment of time, effort, and money. With the aviation industry seeing record demand for pilots, 2025 is a prime time to start training. Please note: The costs presented here are estimates based on national averages.

Pilot

CFI Academy

MARCH 31, 2025

If youre a pilot considering the next step in your aviation career, you’ve probably wondered, “Is becoming a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) really worth it?” CFIs quickly accumulate flight hours, a crucial requirement for advanced pilot positions, including airline jobs. So: Is a CFI Rating Worth It?

Checkride

Pilot's Life Blog

JUNE 23, 2025

Thinking about becoming a pilot and wondering how much it costs? The cost of pilot training in the USA can vary significantly, depending on where you train, how quickly you learn, and the type of aircraft you fly. Private Pilot License (PPL) Overview A Private Pilot License (PPL) is the first milestone on your flying journey.

Pilot

Inflight Pilot Training

JUNE 20, 2025

Whether you’re here to pursue a professional pilot career or simply enjoy the thrill of flying on weekends, Inflight provides the infrastructure and support you need. As a Cirrus partner, we offer transition courses, advanced training, and insurance-approved checkouts for owners and aspiring pilots alike.

Pilot

CFI Academy

JUNE 24, 2025

Whether you’re working toward your Private Pilot License (PPL) , Commercial Pilot Certificate , or a full CFI bundle , accelerated training compresses the timeline without cutting corners on quality or FAA standards. Most students take their checkride in the final week of their program. What Is Accelerated Flight Training?

Checkride

Pilot Institute

APRIL 22, 2025

Pilots can have multiple licenses. Each license gives a pilot different privileges. Pilots usually start by getting their Private Pilot license and then work towards a commercial pilot license if they are interested in being a pilot as a career. But its a necessary step to obtain higher pilot certification.

Pilot

Pilot's Life Blog

JUNE 24, 2025

Whether you’re aiming for airline work or just want the thrill of flying more capable aircraft, the multi-engine rating is a smart move. At Leopard Aviation , we guide pilots through every step—from ground lessons to engine-out drills—with flexible options that fit your goals and schedule.

Checkride

Pilot's Life Blog

JUNE 23, 2025

With demand for pilots soaring in 2025, choosing from the best pilot training programs has never been more important. From big-name universities to airline academies, flight schools, and fast-track programs, options are everywhere. Or the full progression to commercial pilot or Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)?

Pilot

Vintage Aviation News

APRIL 10, 2025

This Korean War-era aircraft now joins a prestigious collection that includes the iconic Douglas DC-3 Western Airlines , the combat-veteran C-47 The Wabbit Express , and the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk Skeeter. Im hoping to take my checkride on the 15th after logging a few more hours of training. 135178 (N62466).

Ferry Flight

Flying Magazine

JULY 30, 2025

Whether in person or online, ground school provides the essential theoretical knowledge required to pass the FAA written test, which is necessary for obtaining a private pilot certificate, an airline transport pilot certificate, and every certificate and rating in between. The Pilot Institute has a 99.8

Checkride

Air Facts

JANUARY 22, 2025

To my surprise, the Cessna 172S that I have flown for all my training for Private Pilot and Instrument training, had a lapsed 30-day VOR check. I went into the office and informed them of the out-of-date VOR check and a mechanic took the airplane up while I was doing the oral portion of the checkride to complete the VOR check.

VOR

Pilot's Life Blog

JUNE 24, 2025

Understanding the Two Paths When deciding between FAA Part 61 vs 107 , you’re essentially choosing between flying manned aircraft and piloting commercial drones. FAA Part 61 This is the traditional route for becoming a private pilot , commercial pilot, or flight instructor. At Leopard Aviation , we operate under Part 61.

Pilot

Inflight Pilot Training

MARCH 30, 2025

Earning your Private Pilot License (PPL) is one of the most exciting milestones in your aviation journey. At Inflight Pilot Training, we specialize in helping Private Pilots grow their skills and expand their horizons. Its a remarkable achievement that opens the door to a new world of freedom. What Is an Instrument Rating?

Pilot

Air Facts

MAY 5, 2025

It is intended to be a flying lesson , but only for those pilots who read it with learning as a mindset. Take into consideration that weather reporting, and the dissemination of these reports to pilots, was not as accurate then as it is now. After all, I had just aced my checkride. What else was there to know?

VOR

Flight Training Central

JULY 14, 2025

The aviation industry has long debated the minimum flight hours required for pilots to obtain an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, a prerequisite for serving as a pilot in command at major airlines.

Pilot

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 2, 2024

As a future pilot, you’re bound to come across the “Part 61 vs Part 141” quandary when you start researching pilot schools. These include aircraft design, maintenance procedures, and of course, pilot training. Part 61 sets the rules for certifying pilots and flight and ground instructors. Rigid timetable.

Pilot

Pilot's Life Blog

JUNE 24, 2025

Whether you fly charters, train future pilots, or aim for corporate jets, this add-on shifts your skill set into high gear. At Leopard Aviation , we help pilots boost their credentials with hands-on training in our Garmin-equipped Piper Seminole. A Private Pilot License (PPL) alone won’t suffice for commercial privileges.

Checkride

CFI Academy

MARCH 31, 2025

If you’re a pilot considering the next step in your aviation career, you’ve probably wondered, “Is becoming a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) really worth it?” CFIs quickly accumulate flight hours, a crucial requirement for advanced pilot positions, including airline jobs. So: Is a CFI Rating Worth It?

Checkride

AV Web

FEBRUARY 23, 2025

None of the pilots or flying students were female or sported a skin color other than beige. When I became an airline pilot at the beginning of 1979, the training classes and flight decks were male only clubs. During the twilight years of my airline pilot life, I flew at the steep turn academy in a box with metal legs.

Flight Deck

Pilot's Life Blog

JUNE 18, 2025

These aircraft are renowned for their reliability, advanced technology, and suitability for pilot training. Piper Pilot 100i Designed with flight training in mind, the Piper Pilot 100i combines affordability with advanced features. Standardization Across the Fleet Consistency matters when you’re training new pilots.

Cockpit

Pilot's Life Blog

JUNE 18, 2025

Known for their safety, reliability, and pilot-friendly design, Piper models have guided thousands of students from first flight to final checkride. These aircraft are renowned for their reliability, advanced technology, and suitability for pilot training. Cessna’s most iconic trainer is the Cessna 172.

Stability

CFI Academy

AUGUST 16, 2024

A Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) is a licensed pilot who has received specialized training to teach others how to operate aircraft safely and effectively. They take on the vital task of teaching and mentoring future pilots, guiding them through the complex process of earning their pilot’s certificate.

Checkride

Plane and Pilot

JUNE 11, 2025

If you are one of the 806,940 pilot certificate holders reported by the FAA in its 2023 airman statistics , you will probably be familiar with a DPE, or designated pilot examiner. At 446 pages it was more likely to attract severe insomniacs looking for a definitive end to their sleepless nights, than the average pilot.

Pilot

AOPA

JULY 21, 2025

Latest News Magazines Videos Podcasts Webinars Media Room Contact Us Newsletters Training & Safety Training & Safety Embark on a journey of continuous learning: from prepping for checkrides, perfecting instrument approaches, to proficiency flights. Enhance your aviation skills here! Enhance your aviation skills here!

Tail

Vintage Aviation News

JANUARY 16, 2025

Aviation demands continuous learning, regular training, and routine checkrides. Being a pilot is far from a “learn it and forget it” endeavor; it requires ongoing practice and knowledge refreshment. A pilot whose abilities peak on the day of their checkride risks becoming a liability.

Air Traffic Control

Pilot's Life Blog

JUNE 17, 2025

As Leopard Aviation, we know why aspiring pilots search for flight instructors near Mesa. As Leopard Aviation, we offer a full range of FAA‐approved programs, from private pilot licenses to multi‐engine ratings. When you fly with us, you’re joining a family of passionate aviators who love to see new pilots succeed.

Checkride

Pilot's Life Blog

JUNE 23, 2025

When it comes to flying, there are two primary ways to achieve this— military pilot training vs civilian pilot training. At Leopard Aviation , we guide aspiring civilian pilots through every step, from your first flight to your commercial rating. FAA student pilot certificate — Easily obtained with training intent.

Pilot

AOPA

JULY 8, 2025

Latest News Magazines Videos Podcasts Webinars Media Room Contact Us Newsletters Training & Safety Training & Safety Embark on a journey of continuous learning: from prepping for checkrides, perfecting instrument approaches, to proficiency flights. Enhance your aviation skills here! Enhance your aviation skills here!

Checkride

Learn to Fly

JULY 2, 2025

You can go directly to your seaplane pilot rating, called the ASES (Airplane Single Engine Sea), as your first pilot certificate or, most commonly, you can obtain it as an add-on rating after you already hold the ASEL (Airplane, Single Engine Land) rating. The path to flying seaplanes has two lanes.

Checkride

AV Web

JULY 25, 2025

Absence from the big carnival in cheese-land is not a big deal for many pilots. I missed the show for quite a few years when I was an airline pilot because the last thing I wanted to do during my vacation from flying a thousand hours a year in airplanes was to hang around airplanes. One thing most pilots aren’t is stupid.

Gross Weight

Coast Flight

FEBRUARY 15, 2023

If youre unfamiliar with aviation, it can be a tricky world to navigate and understand what your future pilot is up to and how you can support them through training. Each course will include an FAA written exam and a practical test known as a checkride at the end of the course. Support them but do not force them.

Checkride

Northstar VFR

JUNE 23, 2024

By Josh Page, CFI The private pilot checkride is the finish line to your flight training. Or if you’re going all the way through to the airlines, the private pilot checkride is a monumental mile marker along your aviation journey. Doing a mock checkride with another instructor can provide you valuable feedback.

Checkride

Air Facts

DECEMBER 9, 2024

Checkrides gone wrong: rope-a-dope Air Facts Journal In 1974, an epic boxing match took place in Zaire, Africa between Muhamed Ali and George Foreman. The very first student I recommended for a Private Pilot checkride was Steve Schwenk. The other pilot was Phil Shoemaker whom you will read about in other stories.

Checkride

Air Facts

FEBRUARY 12, 2025

Airline Pilots Continuing education is required for airline pilots. Most professional pilots will be required to complete a flight proficiency check, either in an actual aircraft, or in a simulator, every six to 12 months. Finally, the pilot in command is required to have an annual line check.

Pilot

Northstar VFR

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

By Jordan Bullock, CFI & Boeing 737 Pilot Becoming a Private Pilot is the first step in an exhilarating career. Note: For clarification purposes, this article discusses the actual Commercial Pilot rating, not specifically being a Commercial pilot for an airline. But you can’t get paid for being a pilot.

Pilot