Pilot Proficiency

You’ve probably heard at least something about a strong El Niño episode that’s underway. During such years, weather hazards are plentiful, especially in the western and southeastern states. While there’s no way to predict the details, we’ll at least give you a sort of tool kit for working with conditions this winter. Winter marks a […]

Question: I know student pilots aren’t supposed to carry passengers, but can two student pilots fly together?

On Monday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will be launching a completely overhauled online weather resource.

You look out on the ramp and most of the airplanes are white with stripes. Is that to make them more visible?

For an airport without a TAF, a MOS forecast can provide some useful guidance about expected meteorological conditions—but it has some limitations.

The equipment is more common on aircraft certified for IFR conditions.

In aviation meteorology articles we often focus on the big problems: thunderstorms, heavy fog, low ceilings, and icing, all of which are responsible for the majority of weather-related aviation accidents. But even the most seemingly benign weather sometimes gets the best of IFR-rated pilots. In this Wx Smarts article we’ll revisit one such situation that […]

The airshow midair offers a sobering reminder that the pattern is no place to let down your guard.

If you can’t put your hands on your log book, the FAA can help you reconstruct your hours and endorsements.

It’s important for pilots to keep it legal in the dark.