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Flying

Summer Storms – What to Prepare and Watch Out For

by Mike Bliss Summer often brings some of the best flying weather, but also its share of challenges: turbulence from uneven surface heating, reduced visibility due to haze, and diminished aircraft performance due to the hotter air. The greatest threat, however, comes from thunderstorms. To fully understand this threat,

Flying

When Was the Last Time You Were the PIC?

For many pilots, the phrase “Pilot in Command” (PIC) is a proud milestone — the moment you took full responsibility for the aircraft, the crew, and the decisions in the air. But here’s a question every aviator should ask regularly: When was the last time you were the PIC?

Flying

Airline Job Placement – What Do ‘Connections’ Really Mean

If you’ve started exploring flight schools, chances are you’ve seen this promise over and over: “We have connections with major airlines. “We guarantee you an interview.” It sounds impressive—until you realize most airline pilot training programs make the same claim. In today’s aviation landscape, the truth is this: due

Flying

Beyond the Familiar Skies: Embrace New Challenges to Grow Your Pilot Skills

Flying is a pursuit that rewards precision, discipline, and consistency. But it also thrives on variety. As pilots, we spend countless hours refining procedures and mastering fundamentals, often in the same aircraft, over the same routes, and in predictable conditions. While repetition is valuable, staying within your comfort zone

Flying

Differences Between a Private Pilot and Commercial Pilot Certification

For anyone passionate about flying, earning a pilot’s license is a major accomplishment. But as you progress through your aviation journey, you’ll quickly discover that not all pilot certifications are created equal. Two of the most common — and often misunderstood — are the Private Pilot Certificate and the

Flying

Is Your Aircraft Clean, Stocked, and Organized Before Takeoff?

In aviation, every detail matters. Safety isn’t just about checklists and clear skies — it starts long before you taxi to the runway. One of the most overlooked yet essential habits every pilot should develop is keeping their aircraft clean, organized, and properly stocked before each flight. It may

About American Flyers, Learn to Fly, Pilot Courses, Training

Choosing a Flight School – What to Ask? What to Consider?

Deciding to become a pilot is an exciting milestone, but choosing the right flight school is one of the most important decisions in your aviation journey. The path from the classroom to the cockpit will shape your skills, mindset, and future opportunities. With so many training options available, knowing

Flying, Training

Gaining Real Flight Experience – Why Flight Hours Alone Don’t Make the Pilot

Logging flight hours is an essential part of pilot training and certification, but it’s important to understand that accumulating hours isn’t the same as gaining meaningful flight experience. The real difference between a pilot who simply logs time and one who develops true skill lies in how those hours

Flying

Take the First Step and Finish What You Started

We get it. You are a successful professional and don’t have the time to finish getting your pilot certificate. If you are like the several thousand other students we have, you probably work late during the week and spend your weekends either working or with your family. You couldn’t

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

Flying

Tips on Passing the FAA Written Exam

You’ve dreamed about flying since you were knee-high to a grasshopper, and you’re finally in a position where this dream will become a reality. Your friends and family know you are training to become a pilot, but only one thing stands between you and your coveted certificate: the FAA

Flying, Learn to Fly, Training

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like IFR Release Time…

The winter holidays are right around the corner, and many will soon embark on journeys, both near and far. For many, this involves air travel. While most people dread the experience of being crammed into airline seats, pilots take a different route. Their journey to visit family—whether it’s aunts,

Flying

Flying During The Holiday Season

THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER, and it’s one of the best times to fly. Gather your family and friends, hop into an airplane, and set off on an adventure during the most joyous time of the year. Remember though, there’s more to flying during the holidays

Flying

Looking Back On This Year’s Flight Time

AS I REFLECT ON 2024, I AM AMAZED BY HOW QUICKLY TIME HAS PASSED. The days seem to fly by, making me wonder where the time has gone. It’s often said that as we grow older, time seems to speed up, and I find this especially true. While I

Flying

Have You Dreamt Of Learning To Fly?

Dreaming of being able to fly is as old as man himself. Who hasn’t watched birds soar gracefully across the sky, wondering what it would be like to do what they do and see what they see? Some have even strapped large balloons to lawn chairs to feel that

Flying

The Importance Of The Pre-Flight Checklist

In October 2011, an instructor and student were preparing for a flight from a non-towered airport in the southwest. The lesson began as usual, with the instructor guiding the student through the preflight procedures on their aircraft—a Cessna 182. When they reached the nose of the aircraft, the instructor

Flying, Training

Instrument Rating and Staying Current

By Mike Bliss I’D ARGUE THAT AN INSTRUMENT RATING AND STAYING CURRENT IN ITS USE ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECES OF SAFETY EQUIPMENT A PILOT CAN HAVE IN THEIR POSSESSION. Inadvertent flights into IMC are one of the highest causes of accidents in general aviation, and, surprisingly, about one-third

Flying, Instrument

Constant Evolution of Aviation Technology

As a pilot, the evolution of aviation technology has undoubtedly changed the landscape of flying in the past 20 years. The advancements in avionics, the introduction of apps like Foreflight, and the development of Garmin’s innovative technology have all revolutionized how pilots navigate, communicate, and operate aircraft. These technologies

Flying, Life of a Pilot, Training

Adding Flight Hours or Gaining Pilot Experience

Building flight time versus gaining experience as a low-time commercial pilot is a critical topic in the aviation industry today. With the requirement of 1,500 flight hours to apply for an Airline Transport Pilot license, the focus has shifted to how quickly these hours can be accumulated versus the

Flying

The 2024 Oshkosh Airshow Recap

The Oshkosh Airshow, held annually in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, is a mecca for aviation enthusiasts and professional aviators from all over the world. The event is a week-long celebration of all things aviation. With over 1,700 aircraft arrivals and more than 10,000 aircraft operating at Wittman Regional Airport and other

Flying, Life of a Pilot

Do You Maintain Your Skills Like You Do Your Plane?

As the old saying goes, “FAR Part 61 tells you how to get your license, and FAR Part 91 tells you how to lose it.” What is always amazing to me is how some pilots can invest so much in their training and certificates, yet fail to keep them

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,

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