Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 19, 2025

But you’ll want to add a flight controller to utilize your simulators potential. A joystick is the most straightforward flight controller. Many sim pilots also purchase dedicated peripherals to control the rudder and engines. Never before have sim pilots seen the world portrayed with such stunning accuracy.

Rudder

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. Also, Trial by Ice is not just another flying story.

VOR

Flight Training Central

APRIL 11, 2025

Thousands of simulated Private Pilot written exams are completed every month in Sportys Learn to Fly Course , but certain topics consistently trip up aspiring aviators. These commonly missed questions often focus on nuanced regulations, meteorology, flight planning, and airspace rules. Moderate or severe turbulence.

Groundspeed

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 10, 2024

Sometimes it’s emotional—the Beech Starship, what few of them are still in the wild, inevitably wow viewers of both the pilot and nonpilot persuasion. Note that because of current LSA rules, the RV-12 can be flown on an instrument flight plan but cannot be flown in actual instrument conditions. But successful? Not at all.

Airplanes

Air Facts

JULY 28, 2025

A strong pilot community thrives on humility: the willingness to share what worked, what didn’t, and what we learned. Backseat pilots need not apply. Pilots understand that life is fleeting, and that the joy of flying lies in the journey—and in the process. I earned my Private Pilot Certificate in 2022 in a Cessna 150L.

Clearance

Pilot Institute

JUNE 12, 2025

Fronts are extremely important to pilots and can significantly impact a flight. The skies clear rapidly, leaving behind gusty, turbulent winds and colder temperatures. They bring unique weather patterns that pilots must prepare for. This can include light drizzle, poor visibility, thunderstorms, and severe turbulence.

Weather

Pilot Institute

JULY 11, 2025

As a pilot, will you be able to recognize an occluded front when one comes your way? Many student pilots feel lost when studying occluded fronts, and it’s easy to see why. Identifying occluded fronts on charts is important for flight planning and safety. How do you plan to proceed? What Is a Weather Front?

Pilot

Pilot Institute

MAY 26, 2025

Welcome to the world of Clear Air Turbulence (CAT). How can you stay safe during high-altitude flights? Lets take a closer look at clear air turbulence, so you can anticipate where they might show up, and learn how to manage the risks involved. Upon a CAT encounter, configure to turbulence penetration speed and maintain control.

Turbulence

Air Facts

JULY 9, 2025

Mea Culpa: Confessions of a Joyful Pilot Air Facts Journal I have a confession to make. I once went on a flight without checking the weather. I’ve even flown without talking to ATC or filing a flight plan. But on a beautiful VFR day, is it OK to go for a flight to nowhere—and not feel like a substandard pilot?

Pilot

Pilot Institute

MARCH 7, 2025

Well examine why they should always go hand-in-hand and how you can improve your skills to become a more capable pilot. Key Takeaways Currency ensures a pilot meets FAA legal requirements to act as pilot-in-command. Proficiency is a pilots ability to fly skillfully and safely beyond legal minimums.

Pilot

Pilot Institute

JULY 4, 2025

Squall lines can bring strong turbulence, heavy rain, hail, lightning, and tornadoes. Weather radars and reports can help you plan ahead to avoid squall lines. They’re often a warning sign that there’s severe turbulence underneath. Remember that radar detects moisture, not turbulence. Pilot Reports (UA/PIREP).

Weather

iPad Pilot News

JANUARY 21, 2025

How to set up aircraft equipment codes in aviation apps to file VFR/IFR flight plans iPad Pilot News All VFR and IFR flight plans must be filed using the ICAO form. The international (ICAO) flight plan form , which is required to be used for all VFR and IFR flight plans filed in the U.S.,

Flight Plan

Air Facts

JULY 31, 2024

Turbulence and Triumph: Lessons learned about flying (and about life) Air Facts Journal As pilots, each flight teaches us something new—about aviation, about the world, and about ourselves. The air was crisp, and the skies were clear—a pilot’s dream. The turbulence grew stronger, and the clouds loomed closer.

Turbulence

One Mile at a Time

AUGUST 27, 2024

The channel has just uploaded a video involving an interaction between an air traffic controller at New York Kennedy Airport (JFK) and an Aeromexico pilot. Pilot: “Okay, cross runway 13R on echo, and follow the heavy on charlie, Aeromexico 401.” Pilot: You said 13R, but it’s 13L, okay.” Pilot: “Okay 31R or 13L, Aeromexico 401.”

Air Traffic Control

iPad Pilot News

DECEMBER 17, 2024

ForeFlight vs. Garmin Pilot: 3 key differences to help you decide iPad Pilot News There are a handful of full-featured aviation Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) apps available today for pilots, both free and paid, which provide just about every preflight and in-flight resource you’ll need for both VFR and IFR operations.

Pilot

iPad Pilot News

JULY 30, 2024

ForeFlight adds new aviation keyboard iPad Pilot News ForeFlight previewed its newest features to pilots last week at EAA Airventure in Oshkosh and made the update available in the app store soon after the event ended. The post ForeFlight adds new aviation keyboard first appeared on iPad Pilot News.

Turbulence

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 8, 2024

Now that you’ve got your wings, you can enter the aviation world as a pilot and realize your dreams of flight—almost. Every pilot will need some essential items to be equipped for tasks in the air and to prepare for contingencies. You’ll also need an organized place to carry and stash all your gear during your flights.

Pilot

World Airline News

MAY 30, 2024

Emirates has joined the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Turbulence Aware Platform. In conjunction with the IATA Turbulence Aware Platform, the airline has equipped more than 140 aircraft with the required onboard software to automatically share turbulence reports with all airlines contributing data to the platform.

Turbulence

Flyertalk

JUNE 6, 2024

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) took on the topic and presented ways to reduce severe turbulence overall during the annual safety briefing during the 2024 Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit. However, leaders at IATA noted while the problem exists, actual severe turbulence events are still the exception.

Turbulence

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 6, 2024

Maybe it’s the Georgia flying weather, or maybe it’s the ever-increasing emphasis on “old” pilot instead of “bold” pilot, but it seems that flight planning these days is a lot more about if and when than about route and altitude. It’s only two hours by RV-9A, but there are gotchas lurking in the flight planning.

Airplanes

Air Facts

AUGUST 30, 2024

Soaring Over the Rainbow Nation: A Journey as a South African Pilot Air Facts Journal I’m excited to share a bit about my journey as a pilot in the breathtakingly beautiful and diverse skies of South Africa. Flying here is an adventure like no other, filled with incredible sights, unique challenges, and a vibrant pilot community.

Pilot

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 27, 2024

As a relatively new pilot , I had failed to see the bigger picture. Often, turbulence is the harbinger of mountain waves, not the ideal ceiling—and visibility unlimited—day. As a mountain-bred pilot, I’ve always enjoyed observing the ridges and valleys from on high and low. That day’s flight would be memorable in another way.

Turbulence

iPad Pilot News

NOVEMBER 27, 2024

New MagSafe mount secures your iPhone in the cockpit iPad Pilot News Many pilots use their iPhone as a primary electronic flight bag (EFB) in the cockpit, thanks to its portability and ever-increasing screen size. The post New MagSafe mount secures your iPhone in the cockpit appeared first on iPad Pilot News.

Cockpit

Flight Training Central

JANUARY 10, 2025

Descent planning is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of managing your flight. And if not planned properly, a poorly executed descent can present challenges and unnecessary risks when transitioning to an approach or the traffic pattern. You can also view your TOD from the flight plan profile view on the Maps tab.

Descent

Flying Magazine

MAY 1, 2024

[Courtesy: Kevin Cortes] We grabbed an Aspen Flying Club Cessna 172S from Colorado Air and Space Port (KCFO), where filing the flight plan and preflight checks went off without a hitch under clear skies. We hit our cruising altitude of 7,500 feet and, as expected in the Rocky Mountain region, ran into a bit of turbulence.

Crosswind

Air Facts

JUNE 10, 2024

Air Facts Journal I am a long time Angel Flight (AF) Pilot and this is a positive story about one of my frequent and favorite passengers. We were on an instrument flight plan in semi-VFR conditions and, as a result, had some fairly strict limits on course and altitude. Let George do it! And he kept on smiling.

Turbulence

iPad Pilot News

JUNE 5, 2024

Top 10 aviation weather apps for pilots iPad Pilot News Checking the weather before flight has always been one of the most popular uses for the iPad. After all, it’s easier to get an update by looking at your tablet or phone than sitting at a computer or calling Flight Service. But which app to use?

Weather

Pilot's Life Blog

FEBRUARY 27, 2025

Becoming a pilot is a dream many chase. The training requires commitment, from mastering flight controls to understanding aviation theory. The Reality of Pilot Training Many aspiring pilots ask, Is pilot school hard? Understanding what to expect in pilot training can help you prepare for the journey ahead.

Pilot

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 17, 2024

For pilots and anyone involved in aviation, understanding AIRMETs and SIGMETs is invaluable. These weather alerts each have their own role: AIRMETs warn about moderate conditions like turbulence, icing, and limited visibility, which can affect smaller or less equipped aircraft. But do you know how to read them? What Is an AIRMET?

UTC

Air Facts

AUGUST 16, 2024

I fly a Rockwell Commander 114B which I flight plan at 14 gph and 140 kts. It turns out that an Air Canada flight from Toronto to Orlando would have cost $1,646.00 (CND with taxes) but going Air Phil is way more fun. Back in the late 90s the FBO at the time (Atlantic) had crew cars for transient pilots.

Weather

Pilot's Life Blog

JULY 25, 2024

Before you become a commercial pilot, it’s important to know how to obtain a good weather briefing. Call (480) 372-9815 today to begin your training toward a pilot’s license. Flying in appropriate weather helps make your flight enjoyable and keeps your passengers safe.

Weather

Professional Pilot

JANUARY 2, 2025

By Jake Carpenter Contributing Writer F rom rudimentary analog gauges to todays sophisticated, fully integrated avionics, the evolution of cockpit technologies has revolutionized how pilots interact with their aircraft. R) The Garmin G5000 integrated flight deck offers simultaneous display of critical flight and situational data.

Flight Deck

Professional Pilot

MAY 13, 2024

Transatlantic routes While safety is still the primary concern for pilots, today’s challenges are not so much the vastness and weather on this ocean, but traffic density and regulatory compliance. This is where the North Atlantic Organised Track System (NAT-OTS) guides your flight planning.

Jet

Professional Pilot

MAY 13, 2024

Transatlantic routes While safety is still the primary concern for pilots, today’s challenges are not so much the vastness and weather on this ocean, but traffic density and regulatory compliance. This is where the North Atlantic Organised Track System (NAT-OTS) guides your flight planning.

Jet

Inflight Pilot Training

FEBRUARY 19, 2025

With rapid advancements in automation, machine learning, and autonomous systems, a question looms large over the skies: Will AI replace pilots? The aviation industry has already welcomed AI-driven technologies that enhance flight planning, streamline air traffic management, and refine cockpit operations.

Pilot

Learn to Fly

JUNE 18, 2024

Before a flight, pilots must do all they can to prepare for or avoid factors that are out of their control, such as weather. SIGWX charts offer meteorological data that can be vital when planning longer flights, or when weather conditions may come into play. Or, create a different flight plan to avoid weather obstacles.

Weather

Airspeed Junkie

AUGUST 1, 2024

A Day in the Life of Commercial Pilots: Responsibilities and Challenges Ever wondered what it takes to be a commercial pilot? These professionals, known as commercial pilots, are responsible for flying aircraft, ensuring passenger safety, and managing various in-flight tasks. What Defines a Commercial Pilot?

Pilot