Learn to Fly 2021

Just 18 short months ago, pilots chasing an airline job had a nearly bottomless well of opportunities to draw from. Industry experts compared the scarcity of experienced cockpit crewmembers to the 1960s—when the major airlines were so needy, they actually subsidized pilot training. As 2019 drew to a close, it was fairly common for regional […]

Cockpits make terrible classrooms. They are expensive, loud, quick to produce sensory overload, and there is always the potential for the “classroom” to collide with something else—such as another “classroom.” If you are looking for a less expensive, more productive path to learning to fly, consider utilizing an aviation training device, commonly referred to as […]

When the original Midway Airlines closed its doors a few decades ago, they took away one of the best flying jobs I’d ever had up to that point. Luckily, the opportunity to fly right seat on a business jet appeared, though I knew next to nothing about business aviation at the time. The chief pilot […]

Once you have determined what kind of pilot you want to be, you can follow our step-by-step path toward achieving your aviation goals. No matter what type of flying you choose, the basics stay pretty much the same. As you move through these steps, however, keep in mind that your experience is the most important […]

If you could fly anything, what would it be? Maybe your long-term goal requires a few intermediate steps along the way. But knowing the type of aircraft you want to pilot starts you off on the right track and can save you time and money along the way. Want to know your options? Check these […]

When he first put pen to paper for his dream to introduce more young people to aviation, Lt. Col. Kenyatta Ruffin knew exactly who he needed to reach: youth in underserved populations across the US. Ruffin had gained so much from his hard work and the opportunities presented to him through his military service that […]

As you work toward your goal of becoming a pilot, one thing’s for sure: You’ll collect certain key tools that you’ll want in the airplane and on the ground.

Ten years ago, the aviation industry was fed up, and the FAA needed help to fix the problems that had developed within the process of testing applicants for pilot certificates and ratings. So, what was the issue? Essentially, instructors and prospective pilots had two separate tests (the written exam and the practical test) to prepare […]

As pilots, we try not to draw too many parallels between driving a car and flying an airplane, because they don’t have much in common aside from moving your body quickly through space. One place this really rings true sits in front of you when you get into the cockpit: the instrument panel. It’s the […]

I have heard it many times: “I have always wanted to learn to fly, but I don’t have perfect vision.” The idea that pilots need 20/20 vision is truly a misconception. And while there are some medical conditions that would disqualify you from becoming a pilot, most can be overcome. Only one eye? No problem. […]