Matthew Johnston 
When pilots reveal to a new acquaintance what they do for a living, the next question is usually: “Which airline?” While major and regional airlines, as well as the military, employ the majority of pilots, a significant portion of the pilot population works in general aviation or for a charter flight company. It is a …
“For your comfort, the cabin will be pressurized.” Passengers hear this as part of in-flight announcements as they settle into their seats, but most might not know how this takes place, much less why. Airplane pressurization seems like a mystery; it’s important for those with this knowledge to have a good understanding of how it …
Maintaining the correct course in the air is as easy as following the line on the GPS, isn’t it? Unfortunately, it’s not so simple. What happens when your cockpit GPS isn’t operational, or is loaded with outdated maps? What if strong crosswinds (opens in a new window) blow you off track? It’s important to know …
Nearly every entry on this blog has mentioned, or at least linked to, the Federal Aviation Administration. There’s a reason for that: It’s the governing body of American aviation. Every aspect of every US flight, from who may climb into the cockpit to pre-flighting to tower communication to cruising, landing, and putting the airplane to …
The aviation industry is undergoing many changes at a rapid rate, and it’s an exciting time to transfer a passion or hobby regarding aviation into a career. It’s easy to assume that the only place this can happen is in the cockpit, but occupations abound for those who love the world of airplanes and aeronautics. …
Aviation dispatch is a vital aspect of the aviation industry. It is also known as flight following, flight dispatch, or flight operations (or “flight ops” within the industry.) The title “Flight Handling Officer” is most often used in Europe. Airlines, both regional and major, rely upon them to help individual flights safely depart and reach …
You’ve probably seen ads in pilot publications or social media platforms touting the virtues of graduate programs in aviation. While many options can help boost your career, this post focuses on the many benefits of earning a Masters in Aviation Science (sometimes also called “aeronautical science.”) In general, people who have a Masters degree out-earn …
If you’re at all involved in aviation, you’ve likely heard about a worldwide pilot shortage. For years, low paid first officers, corporate pilots, and flight instructors struggled mightily to make a living as pilots. Now, with salaries at last beginning to rise, some hobbyist pilots are beginning to consider making aviation their career. Before you …
READ MORE Making the Decision to Pursue Aviation as a Career
It’s easy to think of airplane maintenance as simply “fixing what’s broken.” But there’s much more to than that to keeping an airplane healthy and in flying condition. Before you step into the cockpit or passenger’s seat, there’s a lot to think about regarding the airplane’s maintenance status. Maintenance needs are different depending on the …
READ MORE Airplane Repair: What to Know When Something Goes Wrong
A smart pilot’s departure begins long before he or she climbs into the cockpit. One of the most important aspects of becoming airborne takes place before the airplane is anywhere near the runway. Pilots must be sure to follow each step of preparing for departure carefully and with attention to detail. Doing so not only …
Some student pilots think the toughest part of flying is simply staying aloft. However, the mechanics of taking off and landing at an airport extend far beyond the aeronautics of the matter. Outside of checking the weather, filing a flight plan, and assessing the airworthiness of your airplane, there are many decisions to be made …
Pilots who begin flight training with the goal of making a living in the cockpit are in a much better position to do so than those with similar plans about 20 years ago. Post 9/11 and the economic struggles which followed, becoming a pilot was difficult. In fact, less than a decade ago, if someone …
To understand the kinds of various speeds airplanes reach, it’s important to also understand how airspeed is measured in aviation and what it means for you as a pilot. Remember that atmospheric conditions, temperature, the weight of the aircraft and its cargo, and other factors all come into play when discussing the speed of an …
READ MORE What Kind of Speeds do Different Kinds of Airplanes Reach?
Adviser to “Captain Marvel” and the Air Force’s first female fighter pilot BAKERSFIELD, CA – California Aeronautical University is proud to announce that United States Air Force Brigadier General Jeannie Leavitt will address the University’s first graduating class as the guest speaker. Brig. Gen. Jeannie Levitt serves as the Commander of the Air Force Recruiting …
BAKERSFIELD, CA – California Aeronautical University will hold a graduation ceremony to honor its first graduating class on Saturday, June 1, 2019. The first annual commencement ceremony will take place at the University located on Meadows Field International Airport at 12 pm. Our first graduates will receive their diploma in the University’s degree programs, including …
READ MORE California Aeronautical University Will Honor Its First Graduating Class
The pilot shortage is creeping further into the aviation industry. Not only are pilots needed, flight instructors are too. The need for Certified Flight Instructors (CFIs) is great. Not only is news of the pilot shortage attracting more students– corporate, regional, and airline jobs are pulling instructors away from the classroom as soon as they …
One look at a cockpit, especially one belonging to a new airliner or a fighter jet, might seem like an impossible mess to a non-pilot and an overwhelming task to a new one. How can anyone master all those screens, knobs, and pedals? And what about everything else a pilot is expected to manage—information about …
READ MORE Learning To Fly Isn’t As Complicated As You Might Think
Many instructors compliment their student pilots’ learning sessions in the cockpit with some touch-and-goes, but some CFIs do not think the practice actually contributes to proficiency and safety. However, experienced pilots sometimes turn to this practice drill because can be a good way to get used to a new aircraft. Sometimes you might see a …
Competent and professional contact with air traffic controllers is a weak area for even experienced pilots. Working in air traffic patterns is a basic part of life for student pilots, but it’s an important reality of aviation life that should be continually considered. While managing all the systems in the cockpit and making constant decisions …
The basics of altitude seem like the most basic aspect of flying: As long as you’re in the air, isn’t that good? But working with the realities that come with different altitudes are much more complicated. To become a truly efficient and safe pilot, you should understand how various altitudes affect flying, as well as …