Pilot Proficiency

The PPN is designed to promote instrument flying, proficiency, and safety.

Mistakes breed in the shadowy land between the systematic and the instinctive.

If you’re a beginning pilot, or just curious, we’ve got the answers that you need to know.

Can you legally—and safely—rely upon a tablet to deliver the goods during instrument flight?

Stack the deck in your favor with some simple planning, preflight briefing, and by using a four-part departure framework.

Q: I’m 83 years old and in good health. Is it too late for me to learn to fly? I took some lessons many years ago in a Cessna 150. A: No, it isn’t too late.  Although there is a minimum age limit for solo flight (14 years old for gliders and balloons, and 16 […]

On a clear June afternoon in 2020, two senior Navy pilots left Jasper, Alabama (KJFX), headed for Pensacola, Florida, 200 nm distant, where they were based. They were flying a Piper Turbo Lance of which the left seat pilot was a co-owner. After a 30-minute cruise climb, the Lance leveled out at 15,000 feet. About […]

CFIs walk pilots step-by-step through practice sessions available on its app.

Scenic trips over the mountains out west often require creative flight planning. The smaller the aircraft, the more “scenic” the trip. That’s the whole point, so not worrying about how long it takes to make the final destination goes a long way to lighten the risk burden. Then, go in good weather to enjoy the […]

Q: Can you trust datalink weather even though it’s delayed? Yes. Just because the radar picture you see on your screen is delayed by five to 15 minutes doesn’t mean it can’t be used for smart in-flight decisions. Whether it’s from a portable ADS-B re-ceiver or a panel-mount Sirius XM receiver, datalink weather can help […]