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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...

Basics of Flight: The Fundamentals Every Student Pilot Should Know

The basics of flight come down to a handful of ideas every student pilot learns first: the four forces that act on an airplane, the control surfaces that steer it, the three axes it moves around, and the ways speed is measured in the air....

Traits of a Successful Commercial Pilot

Successful commercial pilots possess a high level of technical skills, such as understanding how an aircraft works and how to operate it. Flying also requires exceptional cognitive skills like being able to think quickly and being able to learn and retain information. Theoretically, a pilot...

Non-Airline Pilot Jobs: 8 Flying Careers Beyond the Airlines

Non-airline pilot jobs include charter, corporate, MedEvac, sightseeing, flight instruction, agricultural, aerial survey and public-service flying, and aircraft ferrying. These paths suit pilots interested in teaching, business travel, specialized missions, or flying closer to home. Some offer local schedules, while others involve seasonal contracts, on-call...

What Is a Checkride? Everything Student Pilots Need to Know

A checkride (the FAA’s term for a practical test) is the final exam every student pilot must pass to earn a certificate or rating. It combines an oral exam with a flight evaluation, both conducted by a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE). Understanding what a checkride...