By Chris Webb Here are a few of the questions I get in and out of airline academy. What does it mean to ‘preflight an aircraft?’ When should it be done and who should do it? It is very easy to just follow the checklist. After all, that is
Pilot’s Digest: Tell us a little about yourself? Gustavia Cartwright: I’m Gustavia Cartwright but I have gone by the name Gus my whole life. I just recently finished flight training and am now working as a Flight Instructor. Three fun facts about me: I design and sew/make women’s clothing
Kat Grossert has been an indispensable part of American Flyers since 2002. She is a graduate of the American Flyers’ CFI Academy in Pompano Beach, Florida. As a student in the Academy, Kat was recognized for her warm heart, knowledge and enthusiasm for aviation. For those reasons, and many,
Chapter 2 of the “Single Pilot In the IFR Environment” reviews how an IFR clearance is picked up in different situations, such as a controlled field vs an uncontrolled field and what our options are. We also discuss Flight Planning, IFR Currency as well as PIC responsibilities. FLIGHT PLANNING
By Jill Cole, President of American Flyers The aviation industry is to this day still dominated by males. We often only seem to hear about the great accomplishments of men in the field. However, there are quite a few women who are responsible for turning aviation into what we
By Steven Daun, National Chief Pilot We see many students come through our doors each year to earn their Private Pilot Certificate and the majority of them continue on to earn their Instrument Rating. However, when we speak with people who received their Private Pilot Certificates years ago or
By Steven Daun, National Chief Pilot At one time or another, we have all reached the point where our mind starts playing tricks on us. It usually happens when we are fatigued and either flying at night or single-pilot IFR. You notice something or hear something unusual. You start to
Flying is fun, it’s exciting, it’s rewarding, it’s something you look forward to doing on the path to become a commercial pilot. However, most will tell you that the obligatory FAA knowledge tests are none of these things. They are merely the unpleasant somethings we have to do in
By Jay Elder At the orientation during the first day of the American Flyers CFI Academy, we stress the importance of many things. One of those that is important as you transition to your flight instructor ratings is learning a new “mindset”. For most of us, prior to our
By Steven Daun, National Chief Pilot In over 30 years of being involved in the flight training industry, it amazes me that people still equate certain schools with certain airlines. Whenever I hear this, my first question to them is “how do you know which airline you are going
By Tim Genc Here’s a question: How many hours in a training device or simulator can you use in a private pilot license program or airline academy? This seems like a pretty straight-forward and simple question, right? Well, let’s see… According to the FARs and associated Advisory Circulars, and
By Rick Farmer As we transition from the cold, snowy winters to the sweltering summer heat that most of the country is experiencing this year, apart of answering the question, “how to become a commercial pilot”, you should know that our air-cooled heat-producing power plants are feeling it as
By Mike Bliss Although much attention has been given in the last few years to the topic of runway incursions by those in and out of commercial pilot programs, it continues to be a problem, one that can potentially have very serious consequences. The key to avoiding such incursions
I was about 17 years old when I began my search for a flight school to help me achieve my goal of becoming a professional pilot. Like many young, aspiring pilots, I started my journey with the help of my father, but we really had no idea what a
By Chris Webb So it’s been awhile? For most who’ve completed CFIA, CFII academy, or have a history of flying, we’ll rationalize this question with, “It’s like riding a bike.” “It’ll come back to you” “Your muscles will remember what to do.” These phrases are all fine and dandy,
Over 30 years ago, American Flyers made the decision to create and conduct a 30-Day CFI academy aimed at not only prepping students to become the best flight instructors in the industry, but also creating a pool of highly qualified future employees from which we could staff our locations.
By Chris Webb You have already asked the question, “what does it take to be a commercial pilot?” You have already decided that walking on this planet isn’t enough. You want to rise above the Earth and “…dance the skies on laughter-silvered wings.” Well, there is a little planning
As we have moved into the start of the new year, I can’t help but appreciate last year. 2018 was filled with a lot of great accomplishments for American Flyers as well as some noteworthy advancements in the industry. But while 2018 was a great year, we have to
By Tim Genc I remember working with a student who was preparing for her instrument flight test in our American Flyers airline academy. When we were at the point that her approaches and knowledge were to practical test standards, she asked me to give her a week before I
Congratulations! You have earned the pilot certificate that you have always wanted. What now? Many of our readers will continue to earn the certificates and ratings necessary for their first job in aviation. Others may feel the time and financial investment they have made into their first one or
By Tim Genc Entering a commercial pilot program is a great achievement, but amidst all of the fantastic experiences that on will experience, one that very few get to experience is what some call the ride of a lifetime. The Blackbird family of aircraft (that’s right – there was
Pilot’s Digest: How did you get into aviation? Eric Moffett: My dad is a pilot for Delta, so I have always had a little bit of interest in aviation. I went to college for business management because I did not have a solid idea of what I wanted to