About Planes Archives | American Flyers

Become a Pilot, Flying, Learn to Fly

Intro Flights: Your First Step to the Cockpit

For a lot of people, learning to fly begins as a quiet idea. Maybe it has been in the back of your mind for years. Maybe it is something you have only recently started taking seriously. For some it’s been a life long dream you haven’t acted upon. Either

Flying

Commercial Flight Training À La Carte vs Structured Academy Programs

If you want to become a commercial pilot, your training path matters. A lot of students start by looking at the obvious things first: cost per hour, aircraft availability, location, and how quickly they can begin. Those are all valid considerations. The bigger question is how the training is

Flying

Private Pilot vs Sport Pilot: Key Differences Explained

By Mason Ross On July 24, 2025, the FAA published a set of changes to the regulations applying to individuals seeking or currently holding Sport Pilot certificates: the Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification, or MOSAIC. Based on safety data gathered over the last twenty years, the aim of MOSAIC

Flying

Using EFBs Without Becoming Dependent on Them

Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) have revolutionized aviation, transforming how pilots plan flights, navigate, and access critical information. What once required a heavy flight bag full of sectional charts, approach plates, and AFD supplements now fits comfortably on a tablet weighing less than a pound. ForeFlight, Garmin Pilot, and similar

Flying

The Difference Between Part 141 vs Part 61 at American Flyers

One of the most common questions in flight training is: What is the difference between Part 61 and Part 141 training, and which is best for me? To answer the first part, these are two different regulatory paths under which a pilot can be certified. Each has its own

Flying

The Value of Simulators in Flight Training

by Mike Bliss It is as true in aviation as in any other endeavor: use the right tool for the right job. We have all used a coin as a screwdriver or a heavy wrench as a hammer, but it is no surprise that we get the best results

Life of a Pilot

Understanding IACRA: Your Pilot Certification Portal

Every pilot’s journey through the Federal Aviation Administration’s certification system begins with IACRA (Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application). This web-based portal serves as the primary interface between pilots, instructors, examiners, and the FAA for processing all airman certificate applications. Whether you are applying for your first student pilot

Become a Pilot, Training

Managing Checkride Stress as a Student Pilot

Quick Tips: Checkride Success at a Glance Before the Checkride: Study early, avoid last-minute cramming Get at least 8 hours of sleep the night before Eat a balanced breakfast and stay hydrated Arrive 30 minutes early Arrive a minimum of one hour before your checkride During the Oral Exam:

Flying

What is an Airline Transport Pilot? Not Just a Job, But a Passion

The moment the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issues your ATP certificate, you’re recognized as an elite aviator. This license is your ticket to the big leagues; it allows you to sit in the left seat, operate commercial airliners, and ultimately become a Captain under Federal Aviation Regulations (Part 121).

Flying

The Difference Between Regional and Major Airlines

The airline industry operates on a tiered system where regional and major airlines serve distinct roles. For aspiring pilots, understanding these differences is crucial for making informed career decisions and setting realistic expectations about compensation, lifestyle, and professional growth. Each type of airline offers unique advantages and challenges that

About Planes

What Happens When Technology Fails?

Technology has changed the face of general aviation. Everything pilots had to do for themselves in the past, technology now does for you. It accurately tells you where you are, the airspace you are in, the nearest airports and how to get there, all the instrument approaches that apply

About Planes, Flying, Life of a Pilot

RADIO TALK – When to Talk and What to Listen For

The mark of a good pilot is staying ahead of the airplane, anticipating what’s coming, and being ready to act promptly. This principle applies to both flying the airplane and managing radio communications. To “stay ahead” of communications, the best place to start is on the ground. Before takeoff,

About American Flyers, About Planes, Training

The Maintenance of American Flyers

Our full-time staff of mechanics keep you flying for maximum training unlike any other flight school. Feel free to give props to what American Flyers does above and beyond other flight schools. MECHANICS: THE UNSUNG HEROES OF AMERICAN FLYERS At American Flyers, we understand that our maintenance team is

About Planes, Flying, Instrument, Life of a Pilot

Is It Time To Buy Your First Airplane?

Whether you are learning to fly for fun or as a career, the journey of becoming a pilot is marked by many milestones. Among these, purchasing your first airplane can be one of the most significant. The price of new single-engine airplanes has surged to well over $400,000 in

About Planes, Flying

Understanding Autopilots

Even in the early days of aviation, the reduction of pilot workload was identified as an important path to increasing safety. As a result, the first autopilot was released in 1912 by the Sperry Corporation, just nine years after the Wright brothers’ first flight. While this 75-pound contraption would

About Planes, Flying, Instrument

Don’t Let Glass Be Your Crutch

Glass Cockpits first entered service with the military in the late 60s and early 70s. These consisted of a multi-function display in the F-111. By the late 70s and early 80s, NASA primarily used electronic flight displays on many platforms to enhance situational awareness. By the 1990s, LCD panels

About Planes, Become a Pilot, Flying, Learn to Fly, Pilot Courses, Training

Four Reasons to Get Your Instrument Rating

You don’t need to have accumulated hours of experience before embarking on your instrument training; in fact, you can start the day after your private pilot checkride. Almost 80% of our private pilot graduates come back to American Flyers for their Instrument Rating; they recognize the safety and the

About Planes, Become a Pilot, Flying, History, Learn to Fly, Life of a Pilot

Oshkosh Air Show 2023: One Of The Most Thrilling Events Of The Year

Thousands of pilots and aviation enthusiasts gathered in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, to witness the spectacle of high-flying acrobatics and cutting-edge aircraft technology. Before the air show began, pilots and air traffic controllers geared up to provide a seamless and safe experience for all attendees. If you’re not aware, the number

About Planes, Learn to Fly, Training

The Art of Landing

Editor’s Note: Ah, the elusive perfect landing. We have all been there, right? Nice stable approach, airspeed and altitude nailed, no wind, and we are lined up with the numbers as precisely as can be. Fifty feet, twenty feet, ten feet, the swish. A small gust of wind pushes

About Planes

How Aircraft Modifications Affect Airworthiness

So, you’ve been flying for a little while and are building hours towards that airline career that you can see getting closer on the horizon. At this point, you are confident in an airplane and are familiar with the required documents and inspections needed to verify that the aircraft

About Planes

Finishing Up by the Numbers

The “finish up” course in flight training is perhaps one of the most ambiguous courses there are. While it is true that your hours never expire, your proficiency and currency are a different story. The last thing that you as a student wants to hear is that your school

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