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How to Become a Commercial Airline Pilot

For thousands of people, being a commercial airline pilot is their lifelong dream. They want to soar above the clouds and see interesting places all over the world, all while being paid a high salary for it. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics,...

Aircraft Weight and Balance: What a Pilot Needs to Know

Aircraft weight and balance is the process of confirming, before every flight, that an aircraft is loaded below its maximum weight limits and that its center of gravity (CG) stays within the manufacturer’s approved range. Getting it wrong changes how the airplane climbs, handles, and...

The IMSAFE Checklist: How Pilots Assess Their Health Before Every Flight

Before flying, pilots must undergo thorough preflight planning procedures. This includes tasks such as ensuring that their aircraft is prepared to fly, whether that be checking the fuel reserves or the plane’s maintenance history, verifying their flight path with Air Traffic Control, and weather conditions....

Hazardous Attitudes Pilots Should Look Out For

Aeronautical decision making (ADM) is defined as the process by which pilots determine what actions are best suited to their specific circumstances based on their current situation. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a pilot’s attitude tends to influence their decision making, and there...

Common FAR Violations Pilots Should Know

Flying safely means knowing not just how to operate an aircraft, but which rules govern your airspace and what happens when those rules are broken. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) enforces the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR), a comprehensive set of rules designed to minimize risk...

ADS-B: What’s the Big Deal?

In an industry that is endlessly evolving like aviation, it is imperative that technology within aircraft remain up to date, too. Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) is an innovative system that was developed to reshape the way aircraft are tracked and monitored, enhancing safety and efficiency...

How Do Pilots Navigate?

Pilots navigate airplanes using visual landmarks, dead reckoning, ground-based radio aids, and satellite GPS, with support from air traffic control (ATC). Each aircraft navigation method helps pilots determine their position, follow a planned route, and reach the correct destination. Pilotage and dead reckoning provide the...