Guides

Keep these variables in mind when figuring out the cost of a private pilot license.

Sectional charts – the most commonly used charts by pilots today – provide a wide range of valuable and necessary information for all types of pilots as well as UAS operators. These navigational aids have been around since 1930 – but don’t think of using anything other than a current chart to navigate. In the […]

Distance measuring equipment (DME) is a particular type of radar that’s used for aviation. Planes use it to know how far or close they are to the runway or other obstacles like mountains. It measures distance by generating a coded signal tone that correlates to the distance traveled by sound between the instrument and the […]

Flying in the mountains need not be dangerous if some simple mountain flying tips are followed. The issue is not the mountains per se, but the reduced energy available to aircraft flying at high altitudes, flying in confined spaces, and flying low to the ground.  It’s no wonder that the venerable Super Cub, with its fat […]

In the simplest terms, controlled airspace is exactly what it sounds like – airspace that is controlled by some sort of government authority. Controlled airspace doesn’t mean the aircraft in it are necessarily under the control of, or otherwise receiving services from, air traffic control (ATC) but it does provide a number of considerations for […]

Editor’s note: The following article is not intended to be a ranking, but is only to serve as a list of possible options. As the saying goes, your mileage may vary. If you’re just getting started with aviation, flying an ultralight aircraft can offer ease for your first solo flights and a great deal of […]

Pilots and hobby builders love homebuilt aircrafts because they’re a ton of fun to build and to fly. You can either start with just the plans or buy a complete kit to start assembling your aircraft!  Construction times and costs are dependent on what type you buy. In addition, they have to meet specific standards […]

If you’re interested in beginning flight school, you may be asking yourself, how do I begin financing my way through? Similar to how you may begin your research for college, it’s important to find out how much flight school will cost you. Once you have that information, you can begin the process of researching the […]

“Kick the tires and light the fires” is a cheeky reference to preflight checks and engine starts –  but is not a best practice for before flight actions for any aviator. Whatever stage of flying you are in, preflight checks before takeoff are a necessary element of your flight.  “Preflight action” is so important that […]

Though some pilots will tell you that there is no such thing as a normal takeoff or landing, the FAA considers a normal landing as one that includes engine power, low wind, a firm surface to land on, and ample runway space for the plane to be stopped. A normal takeoff is defined in the […]