Training

If you spend a day at the airport in Mojave, California, chances are good that you’ll see some special airplanes and helicopters rolling out from the National Test Pilot School, located adjacent to the control tower. To provide a wide range of aircraft for its students while keeping the cost of aircraft acquisition reasonable, NTPS […]

Cessna Aircraft and King Schools have developed the Cessna Instrument Pilot Course kit — a web-based instrument pilot course similar to the Cessna Sport/Private Pilot Course already in use at Cessna Pilot Centers. The course is scheduled to launch at the end of the month and will be accessible from any computer or iPad with […]

PilotWorkshops.com has introduced an online proficiency training course for instrument pilots that’s intended not so much to help you pass a check ride as it is to hone your real-world IFR flying skills. The IFR proficiency series provides practical and straightforward training and tips in short Web-based segments augmented by audio and PowerPoint-like presentations. The […]

At what point should an autopilot be introduced into flight training? Martha King has helped make aviation knowledge more accessible to pilots worldwide by combining elegant technology with clear, fun teaching. Martha holds every category and class of FAA rating on her pilot certificate, and every flight and ground instructor certificate. Her company, King Schools, […]

I recently got the chance to spend a couple of weeks doing some training at SimCom‘s Lee Vista training center (one of two such SimCom facilities in Orlando alone), and I had a great time. The great time was no coincidence: it’s part of SimCom’s business plan. No lie. SimCom got started as a pure […]

(July 2011) I’ve met far too many people who dream about learning to fly, but don’t act out on their desire to be at the controls of an airplane. One of the greatest deterrents to flying is cost. And realistically, learning to fly can be expensive. But there are several ways to reduce that cost. […]

The lure of a jet is strong. Not only are they fast and high-flying but they’re undeniably cool. Who wouldn’t want to take that next step and lose the props? Truth is, a lot of pilots out there have the money to move up to the jet world but just don’t do it, and the […]

The examiner was cordial, but it was clear he was all business. Not a small man, his imposing frame and New York accent signaled a certain directness. Ten minutes later I was in tears. So was he. As Joe Puglia and I sniffed and wiped our eyes, we quickly sought to make it clear that […]

__You may be one of many people with a passion for flying who think that learning to fly is unachievable. But before you hang up your dream, you need to explore all your options. The number of ways to learn is limited, and for most people, it requires some financial resources. But there are other […]

How can busy flight schools make their students feel like they belong, that they’re one of the family? Eric Radtke is an airline transport pilot, Gold Seal flight instructor, advanced ground instructor and NAFI-accredited Master Flight Instructor. Eric has been involved in aviation education since 1998 and currently serves as president and chief instructor of […]