Flight Training Central

MAY 13, 2025

Most experienced pilots would be willing to admit that the perfect landing is much more of an art than a science. Apply carb heat if applicable, establish a descent airspeed (defer setting flaps until the base leg). Reduce your power, and set flaps to full to establish a maximum descent rate.

Approach

Pilot's Life Blog

JANUARY 5, 2025

One of the most reliable aircraft for training is the Piper Seminole, a twin-engine plane that offers hands-on experience for future pilots. Section 1: Getting to Know the Piper Seminole The Piper Seminole is a versatile twin-engine aircraft frequently used for flight training, particularly for pilots advancing to multi-engine ratings.

Descent

Plane and Pilot

JUNE 23, 2025

On May 1, 2023, a pilot flying his 1979 Beechcraft A36 Bonanza, with two friends on board, was headed to the Big Bear City Airport (L35) to check out a Cessna 150 for sale on the field. And the pilot didn’t plan to land in the open-looking lot, because of a landing gear issue. All pilots have been there. Fuel is not mentioned.

True Airspeed

Inflight Pilot Training

FEBRUARY 13, 2025

Earning your wings is about more than just learning to flyits about developing the skills, confidence, and decision-making abilities that will shape you into a safe and competent pilot. If you plan to pursue a Private Pilot Certificate, you must be at least 17 years old to obtain it, though you can begin training earlier.

Aileron

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

Have you ever wondered how pilots keep control at high speeds, during stalls, or even when systems fail? The pilot is able to control the aircrafts roll by turning the control yoke or sidestick in the cockpit. The hydraulic system works similarly to a cars power steering and greatly reduces the effort needed by the pilots.

Aileron

Pilot Institute

APRIL 12, 2025

Newton’s Third Law helps pilots and engineers improve flight safety and aircraft performance. If the pilot increases the wings angle of attack too much, the airflow can separate from the wings surface, causing a stall – an abrupt loss of lift. What does Newtons Third law tell pilots about thrust?

Torque

Flying Magazine

JULY 8, 2025

You may have ideas on how to expedite your training—such as flying five hours a day, five days a week with the idea you’ll be a private pilot in two months. Sometimes the flight school will urge the learner to accelerate their training by doing both the private pilot and instrument ground schools at the same time. Could it happen?

Wind Shear

Plane and Pilot

JUNE 15, 2025

Piper PA-28-180 Riverside, California/Injuries: 1 Minor NTSB Report: WPR23LA156 The pilot completed the airplane’s engine run-up and carburetor heat function checks with no anomalies noted. The pilot initiated a forced landing straight ahead in a field. The owner reported that he discussed the turbocharger operation with the pilot.

Instrument Meteorological Conditions

Photographic Logbook

MAY 26, 2025

Piloting is all about decision making. Once cruising along on manmade wings, good pilots are constantly reassessing their circumstances, effectively asking themselves, "Am I on the right road?" Maybe I'm a slow learner, but it seems to me that improved decision making is a skill that a pilot might spend a lifetime refining.

Runway

Pilot's Life Blog

JUNE 24, 2025

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. A multi‑engine rating is an FAA‑issued class rating add‑on that lets a certificated pilot legally fly twin-engine airplanes. Normal, short‑field, and crosswind takeoffs and landings.

Checkride

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 10, 2025

In the early days, pilots used a mechanical circular slide rule, called an E6B. The electronic E6B is equally useful when in the airplane, to help determine actual winds aloft, true airspeed, fuel burn, and descent planning. Find the crosswind component for Runway 36 if the reported wind direction is 320 at 12 knots.

Flight Plan

Air Facts

AUGUST 1, 2025

I was just shy of 13 flight hours toward earning my EASA Private Pilot License in Italy. I was 10 years old, and my grandfather, a former Air Force pilot, watched me play and gave me tips that actually worked. A crosswind gust nudged me left; I corrected with right rudder. I’d been stationed with the U.S.

Runway

Northstar VFR

MARCH 23, 2025

By Leslie Caubble, CFI/IGI Ken Dravis is a singer/songwriter and pilot who has written and performed many songs about flying and his love for aviation. As soon as the pilot realizes this, they must abort the landing and climb back to traffic pattern altitude and attempt the approach and landing again. How Do You Perform a Go-Around?

Pilot

Pilot's Life Blog

JUNE 18, 2025

An aircraft go-around is when a pilot decides to abort a landing and climb back to a safe altitude for another approach. How a Go-Around Is Performed Performing an aircraft go-around is a critical skill every pilot must master. Several situations can lead a pilot to make this decision, all prioritizing safety above all.

Air Traffic Control

Flying Magazine

JULY 17, 2025

Aside from its ramp appeal, pilots were intrigued with its high-flying pressurized cabin, 200-knot cruise speed, and impressive range. That went against what most pilots had been taught before the current understanding of lean-of-peak ops—and a fair number ignored the instructions and ran rich of peak.

Knot

AV Web

APRIL 15, 2025

Student pilots get a free pass, because theyre adorable skittering off runways in Loss of Directional Control (LODC) events that vex the best among us. But assumptions spiraled for this private pilot in a 1953 Bell 47D helicopter (think M.A.S.H) No mention if the Cessna pilot noticed. at Marana, Arizona, on 2021s first day.

Pilot

Charles Ryan's Flying Adventure

MAY 7, 2025

Once again, an announcement from the flight crew was made but it was difficult to hear what he was saying as it sounded like another voice in the background (could be the other pilot talking to the ATC) and also the cabin crew made some important announcement including a reminder to us about the consequences if we fail to follow the rules.

Turbulence

Flight Training Central

MAY 28, 2024

If the wind is as shown by the landing direction indicator, the pilot should land on Runway 9 and expect a crosswind from the right. Runway 27 and expect a crosswind from the right. Which approach and landing objective is assured when the pilot remains on the proper glidepath of the VASI? Pilot in command.

Crosswind

Flying Magazine

MAY 15, 2024

If utilizing Runway 17 with left traffic, the crosswind turn will be heading 080, downwind 350, base 260, etc. You’re not supposed to feel it like you do the aircraft, but this can make you a better pilot as you will develop instrument scan and interpretation skills. Talk about how “get-there-itis” can make a pilot do foolish things.

Crosswind

Photographic Logbook

MAY 19, 2025

He is a high energy, enthusiastic aviator who flies for NetJets to put food on the table and provides aerobatic and upset recovery training under the Tango Whiskey umbrella while instructing aspiring rotary wing pilots with BAC Helicopters owned by my mechanic Ray. Despite the crosswind, take-off was perfunctory. Chop and drop!"

Rudder

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024

Once there, he put us in a slight right turn toward our first fuel stop 60 miles ahead, continuously fighting the stick as the gusting left crosswind did its best to push us off course. Efforts like this freed male pilots for combat missions, and her dedication led to her appointment as commander of Reading Station.

Runway

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 16, 2024

Landing an airplane can be one of the most nerve-wracking tasks for a student pilot. As a pilot, you will need time to master it. A pilot must consider several things before landing. If there is a crosswind at the airport, you should mention this in your brief. Discuss your nominated crosswind technique.

Airplanes

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 27, 2024

Back in the early days of jet airliners, pilots long experienced in more forgiving two- and four-engine, piston-powered prop planes found themselves running out of airspeed, altitude, and ideas on the final approach to landing. Some pilots soar like eagles to a smooth touchdown, and others settle to the runway like wounded turkeys.

Stability

Pilot Institute

JULY 12, 2024

Even the best of pilots can mess up sometimes. But for new pilots, it can be tough to figure out where it all went wrong. Learn to use aircraft references to establish a stable descent rate and pitch, ending up in a smooth roundout and flare. 60 x 5 = 300 feet per minute is your recommended descent rate.

Descent

Plane and Pilot

JANUARY 23, 2025

My first flight as a student pilot several years back was unforgettable. It is a milestone for aspiring pilots. This is a great time to discuss your goals, whether youre pursuing a private pilots certificate for personal use or dreaming of an aviation career. This was by far the most intimidating factor for me as a new pilot.

Rudder

Plane and Pilot

JUNE 2, 2025

Piper PA-28-180 Riverside, California/Injuries: 1 Minor NTSB Report: WPR23LA156 The pilot completed the airplanes engine run-up and carburetor heat function checks with no anomalies noted. The pilot initiated a forced landing straight head in a field. The owner reported that he discussed the turbocharger operation with the pilot.

Instrument Meteorological Conditions

Ask Captain Lim

FEBRUARY 25, 2025

However, video footage of the landing suggests the aircraft experienced a hard landing with an unusually high rate of descent. Several factors could have contributed to this accident: Reports indicate that strong crosswinds were present during landing. Crosswinds can be challenging, even for experienced pilots.

Crosswind

Flight Training Central

JANUARY 27, 2025

Landing an aircraft is often described as a blend of precision, practice, and intuitionyet even seasoned pilots can fall victim to common landing errors. From misjudging the flare to battling crosswinds, these mistakes can challenge pilots of all experience levels. This climbing during the roundout is known as ballooning.

Airplanes

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 13, 2024

Bounced landings are something almost every pilot has experience with. Key Takeaways Bounced landings can result from excessive speed, improper flare, or high descent rates. Even experienced pilots must remain cautious to prevent bounced landing accidents. Use power as necessary to control the descent rate.

Descent

Flying Magazine

MAY 14, 2024

Learning to fly and obtaining a pilot certificate is not like learning to drive a forklift. There may be an opportunity for special issuance, or you may seek a pilot certificate that doesn’t require a medical certificate, like flying gliders. You will need an aviation headset and pilot logbook.

Aeronautical Information Manual

Photographic Logbook

SEPTEMBER 2, 2024

Post-Pandemic Pancakes Perhaps second only to hyperbolic "there I was" stories and debates over which type of aircraft wing placement is superior (low, obviously), fly-in pancake breakfasts are deeply ingrained in general aviation pilot culture. This greatly simplified descent planning. This 1956 version was for sale.

Crosswind

Northstar VFR

JANUARY 15, 2023

By Gustin Robinson, CFI-I As a pilot you will, more likely than not, fly other aircraft besides the flight school’s rental Cessna 172. If a qualified instructor is not available, try to find a local pilot who is highly experienced in the airframe. Crosswinds f. General Maneuvering, including climbs and descents 5.

Descent

Pilot Institute

MAY 4, 2024

Short field landings are a true test of a pilot’s skill. They are also one of the most feared maneuvers during the private pilot checkride. Whether you’re new to short field landings or a pilot needing a refresher, this essential guide is for you. Feeling overwhelmed by this challenging maneuver?

Weight-Shift-Control

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 13, 2024

The many analyses and videos on these topics have been done in what can best be described as laboratory conditions—carefully selected ideal conditions of pilot, airplane, and environment. None of these achieved enough altitude to have permitted a successful impossible turn, but there were pilots who tried, anyway.

Gross Weight

Airspeed Junkie

AUGUST 2, 2024

Pilots and flight schools favor this aircraft for its ease of use and dependable performance. First introduced in 2005, this all-glass cockpit revolutionized the flying experience for pilots by providing a comprehensive and intuitive interface. This article explores the Cessna Skyhawk C172’s features, evolution, and lasting appeal.

Knot

Flight Training Central

DECEMBER 4, 2023

A pilot needs to control the airplane in a manner that the wings support the weight of the airplane as long as practical to minimize stresses imposed on the landing gear by a rough surface or to prevent sinking into a soft surface. Once committed to the landing, the pilot should gently lower the nose-wheel to the surface.

Approach

iPad Pilot News

MARCH 27, 2025

Pilot’s aviation app directory 2025 Edition iPad Pilot News iPad Pilot News has helped pilots discoverover 100 quality aviation appssince the invention of the iPad in 2010.Here AOPA Magazine Delivers AOPA’s monthly magazines to AOPA members, including AOPA Pilot and AOPA Flight Training.

Weather